It's been over a week now and I have to say that I have learned a lot already about my vizsla puppy. Dennis and I were out for dinner for the first time ever since we got her. We were sitting at a table across from each other, bags under my eyes mirroring his, our hair disheveled, looking like we'd just survived a tornado (okay a bit of an exaggeration but the dark circles under our eyes are true) and when I reminded him we'd only had her for a week his jaw hit the floor. I knew exactly how he felt. It feels like we've had her for much, much longer. Part of this is for obvious reasons - the energy it takes to raise a young puppy, but also due to the little accomplishments we have already achieved in just a week.
I just have a question about walks. She doesn't seem to like them, and that's ok - she's still a puppy and I don't want to overwalk her. But when we're about 10 steps away when I let her out to potty, she PULLS those 10 steps home. Same when we're on our way home from a longer walk. I met Kian this weekend and Harry was nice enough (ha) to let me hold Kian's leash without the prong, and let's just say I was grateful not to have faceplanted into that patch of mud ahead when I let go of his leash (sorry again Harry lol). I figure I should nip this in the bud while she is still a pup, because they grow fast and I am definitely not as strong as a vizsla. I've tried stopping, making her sit and make eye contact and wait for her to calm down, I've tried pulling her the other direction, I've also tried to lure her with treats to heel - none of this works. So I'm hoping someone out there has some advice as to what I can do.
I know there are a lot of threads about this, but I was wondering if those methods would be too harsh for an 11 week old puppy?
I just have a question about walks. She doesn't seem to like them, and that's ok - she's still a puppy and I don't want to overwalk her. But when we're about 10 steps away when I let her out to potty, she PULLS those 10 steps home. Same when we're on our way home from a longer walk. I met Kian this weekend and Harry was nice enough (ha) to let me hold Kian's leash without the prong, and let's just say I was grateful not to have faceplanted into that patch of mud ahead when I let go of his leash (sorry again Harry lol). I figure I should nip this in the bud while she is still a pup, because they grow fast and I am definitely not as strong as a vizsla. I've tried stopping, making her sit and make eye contact and wait for her to calm down, I've tried pulling her the other direction, I've also tried to lure her with treats to heel - none of this works. So I'm hoping someone out there has some advice as to what I can do.
I know there are a lot of threads about this, but I was wondering if those methods would be too harsh for an 11 week old puppy?