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So I am having some issues getting my new berner on a leash. I've only had him for a week and I may be rushing things, but I'm really frustrated right now. I know with training issues it is always a failure to communicate, so it is something I'm doing wrong.
I've had many dogs before and I am an LVT so I've helped train many puppies too, but I'm having such a hard time with this one. He is about 9 weeks old now and has been here for 1 week. I'm trying crate training him and last night I actually got 4 straight hours of sleep (on the couch by his crate), so I think that is improving.
I am having trouble during the day though with housetraining and walking outside because I can't get him on a leash. When I put it on he either sits there and refuses to move, or alligator rolls and flips out. I live in a community that has roads, so I'm afraid to let him off anymore since he's feeling a bit more independant (I do drive him somewhere everyday that he can run around, which may not be helping with the leash issue, but I thought exercise might help). I've tried treating him endlessly when I put it on for brief periods. I also tried just waiting a few feet from him with a treat, waiting for him to move, but he lasts longer than me everytime. I've never seen such determination.
The reason I was hoping to get him on a leash is so I could keep him on it all the time near me so I know when he has to go out. Before he stayed in the room with me, but now he wanders and I don't know when he has to go. He doesn't seem to get that the back door is the place to ask to go out, but he's figured out that if he goes in the room I'm in he gets yelled at.
So short of not getting anything done other than following him around, my only idea is to put a leash on him so he is with me (gates will not work in my house).
What am I doing wrong? (sorry for being so longwinded)
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