walking me on a leash

[Corn Niblet]

Hi everyone,  I wanted to get some feed back on young Gus's leash walking.  He is now 22 weeks old and has finished puppy class's and will begin intermediate class's in August.  Will be neutered in a couple of weeks and has an undescended testicle (that's another story, I am a little worried about this)  Any way when we go on walks he likes to hold the leash in his mouth like he is walking me, otherwise he walks very well.  Could it just be a puppy thing and will he just grow out of it?

[JoJo]

Pepper (about 28 weeks) only puts hers in her mouth when she is trying to chew through it, LOL.  If he's walking on a leash, that's awesome.  Unless I put the prong collar on, Pepper rarely will walk where I want to go - she lays down, she walks backward the other direction, she makes me pull her behind me, etc.  The prong collar is magic - she knows it and does just what I want.  When she first went on the leash, she  simply refused to walk at all - had to drag her everywhere.  That's why we went to the prong, LOL. Its a bummer though cause she has the cutest harness now for walks, but we can't use it cause she won't walk! 

[Corn Niblet]

Thank you for your feedback JoJo,  I should be just grateful that Gus is walking at all! I am also concerned with his lack of barking.  He only makes little raspy sounding squeaks. Our vet said she would take a look at his throat when he goes in for neutering.

[Idaho Cairns]

I see no problem with your Gus taking leash matters in mouth--fits the Cairn attitude--"You can leash me all you want but, just so you know, I'm still in charge here!"
I'd say you should simply enjoy the ride--"kinky" is rule with these little dogs.

[JoJo]

Pepper was exactly the same, she really didn't start barking until about 4-6 weeks ago.  I was getting worried, but she barks just fine now, haha!