[Landyn]

My dog is scared of walks, and I can't figure out why. She's never had anything traumatic happen on a walk or anything. I'll tell her we're going to for a walk and she gets all excited but as soon as I put the leash on her, she shuts down and refuses to move. I've tried luring her with food or treats and she'll walk a few feet to get the treat but that's it. She won't walk further. She's about 3 years old. Any ideas?

[Bacis Dad]

How long ago did this start?
Are you the only one walking her?
And what type of leash and collar do you use?
Will she walk around the house with the leash on?

[Landyn]

Since we got her. I'm the only who walks her. She stays in the house most of the time. Just your generic leash and collar. Not one of the automatically retracting ones. She doesn't so much walk with the leash on inside as she scoots. It's the weirdest thing.

[Bacis Dad]

what kind of dog is she? Does she ever leave the house or play off leash?
I have a feeling that since this has been going on, this has become a habit. There was something that triggered a fearful response. Whether its over stimulation or you "coaxing" her along by pulling on her when she resists.

My first recommendation to you, is to go through a process of desensitizing, and counter conditioning her away from her phobia of the leash. You should start by leaving the leash on her (and let it drag around, Don't hold it!), when she is supervised throughout the day. At first I would expect her to freeze up. Eventually she will get a little brave and move a bit then freeze again. During this time you should completely ignore her. Her behavior could be a result of "You".

You should only acknowledge her when she bolds up and seems confident and doesnt mind the leash trailing behind her. Then you can get really excited and start giving her treats or play her favorite game. Then take the leash off! Make sure you Always end these sessions on a positive note (do not take the leash off when she is nervous).
If you can avoid taking her out on leash I would by all means until this reverses.

Repeat this session multiple times throughout the day, if possible.
Let us know after you start to see some confidence build in her. Dont try to advance past this step, without further advice. there are a few more steps to go through, before actually going on a walk w/ her.

If this has been life long it may take a while, but we want to be sure she is totally over this, bc it can snap back almost instantly.

Good luck and please keep us posted with progress.

[firetyrant]

kinda sounds like mine. but we've only had her for a few weeks now and she's getting better. I'm doing all the steps you've mentioned.

[Long Island Dog Training]

Hi, sometimes we don't realize that we unintentionally may cause trama or another person, dog, etc..., may have caused this seemingly bizzare behavior in your (3) year old dog. As a dog trainer that has handled cases such as yours (of course my advice is somewhat general, I have not personally observed your dog to ask questions based on my observations). We do not know if and what the reason was for your dog deciding to stop walking outside, but we do know based on your testimony that he wants to walk, but just freezes immediately prior to the action of leaving.

After putting on the leash I wouldn't immediately head outside (without knowing the structure of your home), I would perform a few quick reps around the interior of your home or back and forth of the inside of your house (taking his mind off his immediate fear of crossing the floor saddle to the outer world. As you walk back and forth in your home gradually inch your way over to the door way, if he shows any resistance don't fight him, BUT DONT SAY IT IS OK and DONT TREAT the unwanted behavior, just take a step backwards and continue to walk in the house, try this out for a week, maybe (20) minutes (atleast) a day.

Hope this was helpful.

James

[sweetdog888]

We have in the same situation and I never stop trying. Upon reading the post here I learn to be more patient and focus more to train my dog.

[PuppyKisses]

We had the same issue with our puppy when we first brought him home. I think it was because of the heavy traffic--we live on a busy street.
He's 18 months old now and walks fine down the street on a leash. It took a TREMENDOUS amount of patience to get him to this point. A lot of coaxing with treats, and lots of praise when he did actually walk.
His personality, overall, though is still cautious. I wouldn't say fearful--but he's certainly not forward like our other dog. Overall happy-go-lucky lab mix.
Have any of the conditions during the walk changed? Surroundings? Have a negative encounter while on the walk -- even if only once?

[Todd]

I agree with the methods Baci's Dad provided, however I am getting the impression that it isn't the leash the dog is afraid of, it's what awaits her outside the comfort of the house. when was the last time you successfully went on a walk with her? if she hasn't been outside on a walk for years, she may be unsure and fearful about what awaits. some people simply never walk their dogs, which could potentially trigger this type of behavior. Even if she does show fear toward the leash, this may be the object that triggers the fear of going out of the house for a walk in her mind. It may not neccessarily be the leash itself, but essentially what the leash represents or what is accompanied by its presense (going for a walk). Sounds to me like we may have a case of canine agoraphobia on our hands.

Here is some helpful training info I found online;

Question:

I just adopted another pit mix last week, Mickey. He is a complete sweetheart. He is also responsive to training and plays well with my other dog, Candy. The problem is he does not like to go for walks. It's the strangest thing; the dog doesn't seem to care for nature. He just refuses to go forward. With a treat dangled in front of him he will walk a little bit, but then stop. He does hate mud and water, so that may be part of the problem. I also know he was on the streets in the Bronx fending for himself for a while until the ACC picked him up, so maybe he associates outside with abandonment.

When we pass other dogs or people on trails he is eager to meet them and gets upset when they walk in the other direction and wants to follow. I have a feeling he's still looking for whoever abandoned him and that his current behavior is connected to his past. He also has problems with car rides and often doesn't want to leave the car. While in the house, he responds to everything I ask of him and is respectful. Mickey just doesn't want to walk and I can only give him so many treats per attempted
walk. Any advice?
Maggie

Answer:

Maggie, here are a couple of things you can try:
1. Lower your expectations to build a comfort zone for him, which you will gradually expand over the course of weeks or months.
2. Start with happy trips where only he decides where and how far he wants to go. Trips to and from the car all day long might be a good start. At this time you will suspend all other walks for the 'safe' walks where he's the guide.
3. Allow him to flee to safety (porch/car/house) as needed. You can be diabolical, and move the car further from the house, every several days as he gets comfortable.
4. Possibly use a long lead, so you and candy can walk further away to encourage him to move out toward you. You may find he darts out and then back, as if unsure - this is ok. Use treats to motivate, but don't force anything.
5. Scatter the meals outside, albeit close to the house/porch, so that you are chipping away at being outside but with the goodies, and at a low threshold point.
6. Use the folks walking away as motivators for him to work beyond his comfort zone some, but allow him to retreat back whenever he wants or needs to.
7. Continue to use high value treats (chicken, liver, turkey) as you can.
8. Spend time with Mickey and Candy outside in the yard and make sure they have a yummy chew toy or bone for the duration of the stay outside.
9. Daily use of melatonin may help to take the edge off for him (Speak to your vet for more information regarding this option.)
10. If you truly are frustrated and don't see improvement, or if you think his quality of life is suffering, then you should have a discussion with the vet about more serious medications that may help him with his fear issues. This may be a Prozac style drug, not a tranquilizer or similar.
11. Keep up work for food outlets - play and training that is not stress provoking for him, so that you can keep as many happy chemicals/neurons firing in the absence of 'happy' walk times.

Just be sure to make his trips outdoors on walks as positive as possible. You want him to eventually associate both the leash and going for walks with rewards, both foods rewards, toys, as well as your love, attention, and affection.

One more thing, Does going out in any certain time of day or weather condition trigger more anxiety? How about what's right outside the front door? Are there steps? A porch? Have you ever tried driving him to another location in the car and walking her?

[Cait]

I had a dog that did that once i never could figure out why i would love to find out why LOL i just thought she was a little crazy

[Lunareclipse]

Buster was like that when I first got him. He had never been walked before. I just tied a leash on him and left him to run around around the house with it. The first walk was something else. I had to half drag half carry him. Sammie grabbed himm by the neck and started dragging him. After we got to Ed's house he was ok. He has a black lab. After Buster played with Katie for a while, he never had a problem going for a walk again. He knew he was going to go see Katie.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Lunareclipse

Buster was like that when I first got him. He had never been walked before. I just tied a leash on him and left him to run around around the house with it. The first walk was something else. I had to half drag half carry him. Sammie grabbed himm by the neck and started dragging him. After we got to Ed's house he was ok. He has a black lab. After Buster played with Katie for a while, he never had a problem going for a walk again. He knew he was going to go see Katie.

Perfect example here of how the walk should be associated with a positive experience when at all possible. Buster associates going for a walk with playing with his friend. You eventually want your dog to associate going for a walk as an adventure or a time of reward/praise.