It might be a good idea to put her into a puppy training class. In addition to training, socializing Gracie would be a bonus!

Any pics?

I'd put a small piece of bacon about two feet in front of her, then another two feet...sort of like Hansel and Gretel with the bread crumbs. See what happens. Get real excited when she does this an praise her a lot including hugging and petting.
Do it outside where she can smell the bushes and such.
Food is a big motivator with my dogs. But they also love being on a leash and going on a walk.

You didn't say how old she is or if the breeder had started training her already, my first thought was maybe it's something she was trained to do as part of her show training. YKWIM? Like when they sit next to their trainers so nicely with their leashes waiting for the next command.

Is there a way to contact the breeder to inquire? We'd love to see pics of her, I bet she's a real cutie.

Yes, do check with the breeder for sure. If it isn't something she/he trained Gracie to do and there isn't a signal to get her moving, try putting the leash on her when you aren't going to walk her and just let her get used to it around the house. She should come around.

Also, we do all love pictures of everyone's pups!

I agree with the suggestions here (although I would use something other than bacon). My little dog (yorki-poo) did not do well on a leash at first. We did a puppy obedience class and that was one of the first lessons. Even the class uses treats as rewards. Praise is very important also! But do ask the breeder.

tina

We usually have nitrate free turkey bacon although the dogs don't mind the regular either! But I don't give them grains, cheese, peanut butter or dairy.

I guess we can see why the training didn't work out. LOL. I'm sorry, I'm just picturing your description and it looks pretty cute. What kind of leash are you using? Do you think Gracie would prefer the kind that goes around the body as opposed to her neck? At least that wouldn't hurt if you pulled her along a little bit to get started.

I adopted a prison dog from Canine Companions. He was part of a program using dogs for the disabled. They receive their dogs from many resources and are not always full bred. Only one out of 10 graduate, my guy loses focus if any size ball is around...

WAlthough they went through his commands with me, when we got home I realized there was far more than known. I signed up for a dog training class and was floored at all he knew and I didn't.

Our first problem was getting him to go outside to potty. Never an accident in the house, but he just wouldn't go into the yard without me. I wasn't going to stand around and wait for this in all ranges of weather.

Training showed me that he wasn't allowed to go through the door unless I went first and gave him a command to come with me. We have it down now and this trick means he never leaves the house even if a door is open without my telling him "okay". I can leave the door open when walking to the mail box and he will wait for me to return.

Your little pup may know more than known too. Classes are meant for us as much as for them. I am really pleased we did this, he was far smarter than I was.

I'm guessing she's not a pup since she was trained for show? My first thought also was that Gracie is waiting for a command. Also, I had a friend once who showed her Malamute. She never kept a regular collar on the dog so there would be no ring-around-the-neck mark left on the fur. So maybe that's something else Gracie isn't used to? My dogs are all older now and I much prefer the harness when walking them. They're really big dogs & good on a leash, but once in awhile a squirrel or something might catch their eye and they might try to pull. The harness is easier than a collar & more comfortable. I just saw Petco has one similar to that new comfort harness being advertised on TV now. It's for 'pullers' (the opposite of your problem, lol) but might be something Gracie would adapt to better than a standard collar & leash?

Ask the breeder what show lead she used and get one. They are not expensive and it is what Gracie has been trained on.

This is Gracie. She was so tired. I had taken her with me to my office one Saturday and she just ran and ran and ran until she was totally exhausted. She loved going to the office with me.

Although I have wanted to contact the breeder she will not even talk to me; the reason is that I had also purchased a dog from her that she had rescued and one evening when I took both dogs out, she went through the space between fence spindles and ran away - I looked and looked for her and posted pictures and ran an ad in the newspaper about her stating I would pay a reward for her return - never received any kind of response. Regardless, the breeder was absolutely furious with me about it and now will not speak to me. Sorry for the run-on sentence.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of your suggestions. I will try all of them.

She is the cutest thing EVER! Just adorable.

Gracie is darling! I am so sorry about the other dog. Keep checking shelters. She could show up.

What a pretty girl!! She looks so happy. That's a shame about your rescue dog and the breeder. Too bad he/she doesn't see that Gracie is the concern and you need to understand her handling better.

This may sound silly but the American Kennel club has a registered handlers program with instructors that may be able to help you. There is a phone number you can call available on the site, I would call, explain your situation and see if they can enlighten you.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Kennel Club

She probably is waiting for a trigger word like heel or let's go or just waiting for you to walk. Usually dogs are trained to sit if you stop walking, but not show dogs, they should stand. I'm sorry about the other dog.

She's so cute and girlie.

lukkiirish, to be quite honest, I was shocked at the anger and vitriol exhibited by the breeder - both verbally and by e-mail. I did want to lose the other dog and was heartsick that she did what she did.

Thanks for the link to the Americnan Kennel Club handlers program. I linked to the site and found a handler not too far from me that I will contact.

I am sorry you were treated so badly after "an accident". And accidents do happen!!
Oh and a show dog doesn't sit when you stop. Obedience trained dogs do.

Of course you didn't, you wouldn't have brought it into your home if it wasn't your intention to provide a loving spot for it. I'm sorry it worked out that way for you and hope the local person you're going to call can offer some insight. Please let us know what happens.