Cross Breeds

Chihuahua puppies are petrified of the leash?

I have two 8 month old chihuahua puppies, Harold and Lola. Both of them are scared to death to walk on the leash. We've been leaving collars on them so they get used to it, and they're fine with that.. but when we put the leash on them, both of them start trembling. I brought them in the front of my house and Lola just sat there shaking and started whimpering, and Harold followed my Mom when she started walking across the yard. Any tips?

Public Comments

1. Try putting a leash on the puppies in the house and playing with them (make sure they cant get tangled up). give them lots of praise and treats so that they associate the leads with nice things. After a while when they used to having the leads on them try taking them out one at a time, take it slowy and bring some treats or their favorite toy. Dont pull on the leash as this will cause them to freeze and back up - just take little steps and it needed walk a bit and then call the puppy with a treat in your hand, with time the puppies will know that when the leads go on them something great will happen like a walk. good luck
2. It took me forever to teach my chihuahua puppies to walk on a leash but in addition to what Laura said I would suggest trying a harness so the leash is not pulling directly on their necks. I did exactly what she suggested and one pup adapted in a few hours but the other took weeks.
3. I have a 2 year old chihuahua. He doesn't like to be lead either. When we first started trying to lead him he would jerk his neck all around and try to back up. I have managed to get him to lead if I (his mommy) goes with him and keeps saying come on and doing the kissy noises. He will not lead for my granddaughter unless I walk with them, but at least he is leading lol.