please help with leash question... Bailey HATESSSS them! What to do?

Put the leash on her and let her drag it around the house. Then try using treats when you try to get her to walk on it.

I always put leashes on my puppies and let them drag them around. It worked for me. 

Kujo is 2 lbs and will be 1 year old next month. I got tired of carrying her around so I decided last month to leash train her. I just put the leash on her and let her drag it around. She didnt like it one bit. You would have thought someone was trying to kill her. Took 30 minutes of dragging around the leash before she calmed down. I can now walk her on a leash.

I'm sure others will have better advice. 

One big question I have is, does she throw a fit with the leash attached but no pressure/ just dragging on the floor?  Also is this a new behavior or have you just started to get her used to leashes?  Sounds like she needs some desensitization to the leash and positive reinforcement to it being a good thing.  I don't think a retractable one is going to fix the problem, and even if it did I would still suggest some serious leash work since being able to walk properly on a standard leash is an important part of any dogs life IMO.

 Is this her first leash experience? Shes never been on a walk? Let her drag the leash for a few days, without you holding it and she should come around. I know you can't go back in time, but she should have been introduced to the leash as a baby.

I, too, would have her drag the leash around the house, particularly at mealtimes.  I'd lure her into walking beside you with treats, while dragging the leash.

 I don't think a retractable leash will help, particularly since they keep a constant slight tension on the leash at all times. With a regular leash you can have slackness. Also, you can't have her drag around a retractable leash without a plastic box chasing her around

Leash Training For Puppies
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1538

You can get a short connector with swivel clips on both ends.  That will help to avoid tangling.
http://superleash.com/Add%20A%20Dog%20Leash%20Connectors%20and%20Couplers.htm

Thanks guys/gals for the info so far...

I know I should have introduced her to a leash a few months ago... she just never really has the need for one except when we go to the vet... but my dad told me with hurricane season coming up that I need to get her used to a leash in case we have to evacuate again... SOOOO i started trying and im having hell...

The answer to someones question is, yes the very first time she feels pressure from that leash, she is freakin out! shes kind of okay until then, but as soon as she feels the pressure, its all over...

When I get home tonight, i will let her drag it around a bit... i think all she might do is chew on it... do i let her chew or tell her no... i know this will be an issue...

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!

tiffy

 Is this her first leash experience? Shes never been on a walk? Let her drag the leash for a few days, without you holding it and she should come around. I know you can't go back in time, but she should have been introduced to the leash as a baby.

No - she has been on a leash a few times... maybe once a month for vet check ups and it was pure misery...

As far as walks... my family has HUGE fenced it yards so it was never an issue... Shoulda/coulda/woulda right?? haha...

BTmomma

When I get home tonight, i will let her drag it around a bit... i think all she might do is chew on it... do i let her chew or tell her no... i know this will be an issue... 

Rather than the leash itself, use a length of cotton rope coated with mentolated Vicks Vapor Rub.

That will teach her that leashes taste very bad. 

Dragging the leash is a good idea, providing she doesn't chew it up.  

BTmomma

After she throws a fit, she will just stand firm and NOT move a muscle...

It sounds to me that Bailey has learned that throwing a fit gets her what she wants. And if it doesn't, she can just stand stiff and then get what she wants. I would wait her out, myself. Then, when she's done throwing a fit, if she acts right, she can have a treat, but only if she doesn't freak out about the leash.

I'd think twice about using a retractable leash.  A bull terrier is a strong dog and if she darts off after a squirrel or some other little fuzzy critter, she'll pull that thing out to its full 16 ft. and you'll be flat on your face on the ground in a heartbeat.  I know this from experience. Also, those thin cords can snap and people have lost fingers from having it snap back and wrap around their hand. I think  they're best used with smaller (not so strong) dogs  and dogs that can be trusted to walk nicely beside you and not take off after something.

Joyce

I agree with the others, put on a short, light drag line and let her drag it around for a while each day.  She's just going to have to get over it, plain and simple.  Like you said, there are situations where she MUST be leashed, so it's better to deal with it now.

IMO, flexi leashes should only be used on dogs that already have leash manners and good loose leash walking.  Putting a flexi on Bailey will only give HER more control.  I don't think it will really help her get used to a leash, or train her good leash manners.

Whatever you decide to use, remember a tool is a tool.  YOU are the one that will actually do the training and reinforcing of good behavior. 

fuzzy_dogs_mom

if she darts off after a squirrel or some other little fuzzy critter, she'll pull that thing out to its full 16 ft.

TRUE THAT! Except mine didn't only pull out to its full length, it broke apart, and my dog-aggressive dog went tearing across the beach after another dog. Luckily Superman was there and grabbed the little teeny cord as it went flying past him, stopping the beast mid-stride...

Needless to say, that was my final use of any sort of Flexi-leash, and the last time Cherokee went to the beach... *sigh*

 I agree about the flexi,especially on an 8 mo. old bull terrier with no leash experience.

you know, puppies need to be socialized. That means taking them out in the world often and exposing them to all sorts of people, animals, and events. Even if you have a huge yard you aren't doing your puppy any favors by not-leash-walking him from a very early age. Lack of socialization is a major cause of dogs developing behavioral problems; and behavioral problems are a major cause of dogs ending up in shelters and ending up dead.

anyway, try teaching the pup to walk with you without a leash at first- if he's walking properly with you there won't ever be any tension on the leash.