Need help with 8 week old male, American bulldog.

[atom]

i got my puppy 2 weeks ago today. he is 8 weeks old.

i am having trouble leash training him. ive had a few puppies before and never had such a problem. he absolutely refuses to be on the leash. he will just lay down and not move. and he can easily stay like that for an hour. if i try to nudge him along he actually tries to back up. if i pull him along he again tries to backup...then hell plop down all the while hell pratically scream bloody murder when im pulling him. like im stabbing him or something. its kind of upsetting to watch and i feel horrible that im forcing him to walk with me. but he is so stubborn and defiant. i know im not hurting him and i dont want to give in...im the boss right?

he will definetly not go to the bathroom on the leash . i was outside with him for over 1/2 hour and actually watch him "suck" his poop right back in b/c he refuses to go on the leash...so i brought him in for a 1/2 hour and then took him out again. this time another 1/2 hour goes by and it finally takes him crying as he is pooping. i guess this is b/c he just couldnt hold it any longer?

ive tried playing with him with the leash on. ive tried treats and setting them up in a line and walking next to him. ive rewarded him for the 3 steps he accidentally takes walking with me. ive put his food down and tried to walk him to his food. we just arent connecting.

after a good 1/2 or more battle each time i take him out, he comes in and its like his spirit is broken. he just slumps down and goes to sleep. he gives me a look like im the enemy and that i hurt him. even though, he will still cuddle up to me and can never be close enough to me..which makes me feel better, but im still upset about this whole situation.

what can i do? what should i be doing? ive had 3 cocker spaniels, a golden, and a bishon who all gladly went on the leash. even as babies. this guy however has a mind of his own and only wants to go where he wants. i dont feel like he is being spiteful, i feel more like his just doesnt understand whats going on. maybe im wrong.

aside from all this.... he is great in every other way. he already will wimper when he has to go to the bathroom. i take him out and hell go right away (off the leash of course). i see no signs of agression at all. hes fine with my 2 cats. he plays great with my golden and bischon (who dont live with me, but i see often) i can put my hand in his bowl while hes eating. he wont look me in the eye when face-to-face, i can take toys away from him and if i scold him hell stop and then actually cuddle up next to me. he nips at your fingers a little, but i know to expect that at this stage, and he stops when scolded.

if he would just walk on the leash....

any advice is appreciated.

ps- i am signing him up for obedience classes as soon as he is old enough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/atom631/Pootie009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/atom631/Pootie007.jpg
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[retriever crazy]

oh my are your dogs cute!!! i love your golden!!! whats on her left paw? ( or is it the left? )

[atom]

it was a small cut that he got while playing outside. hes been licking at it and it got raw for a while, but its healing now. its been tough trying to get him to stop licking it. im too much of a sucker to put the hood on him, so i just bandage it up all the time. i might have to put the hood on him while everyone is at work. then i can bandage it in the afternoon, evening, night...and make sure he doesnt pull it off. he is the best dog ive ever had. he has helped raised 2 other dogs and is going to be my role model for Bruiser (the pup).

[sheltieluver4]

Your dogs are soooo adorable...OMG i love your little puppy

[jervis]

Hi atom,
I had a very similar experience with one of my dogs years ago. She absolutely refused to go on the lead and would slide on her backside along the floor and her face would get all scrunched up! it was very funny, but obviously very disturbing for her. So, I went out and bought a harness (one small one to go around her little body) and because the clip was on her back she didn't even realise it was on. From then on she walked on the harness. Once she mastered this, she was happy to go on the collar and lead. Give it a go! good luck. By the way it's an adorable pup!
:cheers:

[Cheetah]

He's a baby and isn't used to the resistance on the leash when you hold it, so it scares him.

The easiest way to start is to attach the leash to your puppy's collar and let him drag it around without you holding it (with supervision of course). Give him treats while he is dragging the leash around. Later on you can move up to holding the leash. Just hold it and stand or sit on one spot, and continue using treats/praise when he is being calm.

[atom]

ive been making him wear it inside and outside the house. as long as its not in my hands, he could careless about it. he was running through the house, playing with his toys, running outside with it on.... as soon as i pic it up and put pressure on it...he wigs out.


im going to get a harness tomorrow and give it a try.

[lassie]

do you take him out with the other one??? i find this usually gets them going?

[JDogg]

well i havent seen an american bulldog that didnt have a food drive so use treats use lots of treats he will come around