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Help Me With This Case! Jill & Molly – Brainstorm
This week’s case study is quite different from last week’s.
Molly is a 12 week old Bichon Frise pup owned by Jill, an active female retiree. Jill got Molly because she wants companionship and she wants to take Molly with her, everywhere.
The problem started the first day Jill snapped the lightweight leash onto Molly’s harness. Molly froze, unable to move. Their trainer suggested letting Molly wear the leash around the house all day but when Jill tried that, Molly just stayed in one place and looked dejected.
When Jill takes Molly outside to their backyard, Molly runs freely and checks in with Jill at times, but as soon as that leash comes out, Molly avoids Jill and won’t come to her.
Jill has committed to an 8 week manners class, but her main goal is simply to be able to walk Molly on leash without Molly hating it.
Where do we begin? (Post fearlessly! All puppy-friendly and people-friendly ideas are welcome! Your simple idea may encourage others to think of even more things!)
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6 Replies
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I think I would try just putting the leash on the floor near Molly and letting her explore the leash. If Molly looks at the leash, I would reward with a really high value treat. I would then see if Molly would touch the leash with her nose, then reward heavily with the high value treat again. I would then pick up the leash, and reward Molly for staying near me. Then I would just touch the clip of the leash to Molly’s side and reward that. Then clip the leash to the harness and reward heavily again.
I would work at the pace that Molly needs, to be comfortable. Some of the steps may need to be repeated multiple times before moving on to the next step. I would want to make it almost like a game for Molly, so she is happy about the leash when she sees it come out.
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I would work at the pace that Molly needs, to be comfortable. Some of the steps may need to be repeated multiple times before moving on to the next step. I would want to make it almost like a game for Molly, so she is happy about the leash when she sees it come out. – Melissa Z.
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Agree with @Melissa on breaking it down into small steps that all add a positive association.
In addition, everytime that Molly is going to be fed, prior to reaching out for her food bowl, just casually get the leash, prepare her food, and feed her. Pay no real attention to the leash initially, then eventually, just drop the leash next to the bowl as she eats.
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Everytime that Molly is going to be fed, prior to reaching out for her food bowl, just casually get the leash, prepare her food, and feed her. Pay no real attention to the leash initially, then eventually, just drop the leash next to the bowl as she eats. – Vincent H.
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I like this idea alot!!
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Thanks for sharing, @Jenny – tell me more; what do you like about it? Do you have a client or dog that you think this technique will work for? How does it help?
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