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Nicholle--
Congrats on the Rottie! They're such beautiful dogs....You know, when Eli was starting out on his leash (about 9 weeks old) he bucked like a bronco, bit at it, cowered on the sidewalk, and just generally acted like he hated it. Now he LOVES to walk! As your pup gets older he'll figure out that little short explorations outdoors aren't scary. Just keep his walks from tiring him out too much, and maybe give him treats and praise for walking with you, even for very short distances!
Purrley--
What worked for Eli's pulling was the "make like a tree" method of walking. Basically, when the dog gets out ahead of you and is yanking hard, stop dead in your tracks without talking to or looking at the dog. Most likely she'll stop pulling and wander back to your side; then you can start walking again. Gradually she figures out that you don't go anywhere when she pulls--that's no fun! You'll look kinda weird around your neighborhood for awhile, but it's worth a try... :)
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Purrley
Like Kobieeli suggested try the make like a tree thing and if she doesn't get the picture right away call her and praise her when she comes. If that doesn't work you could always try turning around and walking the other way as soon as she starts to pull, then when she catches back up to you, you turn back around and walk back the way you were coming...but you have to remember to praise her as soon as she catches up to you and when there's a little bit of slack in the leash. I've tried one method with Smudge and the other one with Winter, they both seem to work it's just a matter of remembering to do it.
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Purrley,
What worked for Kobieeli worked for us with Tobi. Buffy is another story. She will always want to lead and not walk next to our side.
Just don't give her so much leeway on the leash so she'll learn she has to keep up with your pace and not the other way around. Buffy is a year old and Maggie still has to say "no-no" when Buffy is in her own little world and tries to go her own way. Like you stated, fortunately she is very tiny and with a small pull on the harness we can guide her. Little by little Buffy's getting the message, but not soon enough. Most of the time Maggie just winds up carrying her.
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Encourage her to walk by your side as you set off and as soon as she walks ahead of you pat your leg, repeat the command you use (be it "heel", "close" whatever) and walk backwards until she is by your side again. Stop, praise quietly, and when she is calm give the command again and start to walk.
This will take a few times to settle into the dog's mind that by pulling she is delaying the walk and you will feel very silly at first so practice in the garden first. Move on to somewhere quiet next and she will get the idea.
