puppy training

[rid diesel]

I have a 13 week old mongril puppy that i got at 8 weeks old. i am having trouble when i try to take him for walks. when i leave the house i feel i am dragging him when i take him away from the house, but when i turn to head back he is pulling me to get back home.any tips would be appreciated please, this is my first dog.

[Illyria54]

Hi. Bless him, the world is a really big place, especially when you are so small and have only seen the inside of a house and a garden. Is he used to the lead? ie. did you introduce him to it at home? do you live in an area where there are a lot of cars going up and down the road? if the latter is true try to get him used to the noise of the traffic first, give him a few more weeks to adjust to his new surroundings, 13 weeks is still very young. Can you perhaps take him in the care (if you drive) to the local dog walking park/common etc so that he can see other dogs to take his mind off other things that may be worrying him, he doesn't need too much walking at this age, 5-10 minutes is ample, give plenty of encouragement when walking him, take a favourite toy/tiny bits of food treats (not too much though) to help jolly him along, make sure his collar is on tight enough, you should be able to get 2 fingers under it.
Have lots of fun with your puppy, just go at his pace, if he is not ready to go out for walks along the road don't force the issue, just take him for a few steps, make him sit, make a fuss of him then turn around and go home.
I have just come back with my 4 'horrors',I have been out for an hour it is still only 06.15, can I swap with you??? PLEASE. lol.

[Illyria54]

Sorry, meant car not care.
It's too bloomin' early

[jules77]

yes 13 weeks is very young........some puppies take to the lead well, others take weeks and they can get very nervous of cars etc when out. One of mine used to scream like a pig when we put any pressure on the lead, and once at the top of the drive would sit and refuse to move, unless it was back into the house. I always lead train them in the garden or take them in the car to a quiet field or park somewhere first, it gets them used to being out of the surroundings in which they are comfortable.