Got her when she was nearly 12 weeks, and for the first 2 weeks we couldn't walk her anywhere else but the garden because she hadn't had her second jag. Shes 15 weeks now, and everytime you take her out the garden she pulls and pulls to get back, sits down and pretty much does everything in her power to stop going any further. She also pulls so hard on the lead when she will walk normally that she ends up gasping for breath quickly.

Anyone got any tips to help her? I read somewhere that your meant to introduce them to as many things as possible because they'll get used to it up to 16 weeks, and after that they can be set in their ways and hate things. We can't have her only going in the garden I took her up to my gran's and she did the same thing, was fine in the garden but any further she just pulled and pulled to get back.

The only thing I can think of is to open the door/gate and go out yourself with whoever she's used to being around, and just sit in view of her rather than trying to convince her to go outside. It sounds a bit stupid but if you're trying to get to her to outside she might sense that you're a bit anxious about it, whereas if she starts to come out by herself she'll see there's nothing to fear.

Bit of a patience one but I saw something similar on tv and the poor dog got so curious because everyone else was having "fun" that it soon forgot what it was afraid of! If she's that scared then I'm sure (when she did come out) that she'd go straight to you rather than running away, and if you're worried you could put her on a really long/loose lead or something.

I can't really think of anything else if the whole "come on!" in a cutsie voice thing doesn't work

Try getting your puppys attention. I suggest taking treats with you.

My GSD absolutely loves Cheesy Markies, from your local pet shop.

Go to puppy classes! The best bit of advice I can give to any new puppy owner is to go to classes. For socialising both puppy and you and for basic training, and just to meet other people and pups with the same problems.

Best advice on here...all new pups need socilalising and puppy classes are the best thing to help them gain confidence.

Also, you may want to try a harness instead of a collar if she is pulling, it's easier to control her and it won't damage her neck/throat.

Think we might have to take her to classes. Shes very timid around things she doesn't know. I think its mainly been since Halloween, I took her out and she got a bit of a fright with all the kids. She has been a bit better though, so maybe shes getting used to it.

Ah that sounds like a good idea, we will do that. I'm always frightened I'm hurting her

My puppy was the very same, waited til he had all his needles before bringing him out, and he was scared, pulling, even crying when cars went by etc. When I took his lead out he would run under the table and refuse to come out!

I started to pick him up and hug him, slipping his lead on, and walked outside with him in my arms. After a little bit I put him down and gave him a treat. I left the lead slack and walked on a bit more holding another treat out. He walked toward me and I praised him to the hilt.

Now he loves going out, he prances along with his tail in the air, and wont even stop for a treat he's so engrosseed with his exciting journey!

Anyway this might work for you, and a harness is a great idea. You wont hurt him and once he's into walks he wont be hurt when he is trying to pull you along!

Good luck!

You have had some great advice.

I would just add, before you go outside of the garden play with her with her favorite toy and get her all excited and happy. Make sure you have her harness on ready. (I only ever use a harness as it does stop them from choking and slipping collars).

Once you have her full attention and she is enjoying herself, slip her lead on and then take her out with her toy and carry on as though you are playing with her coaxing her all the time and making that happy silly voice we all do when talking to our dogs LOL.

DONT pull her that will be the wrong thing. Stop wait, coax etc she will eventually walk ok. good luck.

Make sure she is micro chipped thats very important incase she gets out.