[anniespark]

We have a 9 month old lab/pitt mix rescued at 9 weeks. He is a great dog lots of energy has been neutered. I started taking him on long walks we have a nice safe path in out neighborhood. He is skittish of people, other dogs, birds, cars, trucks basically anything that makes a noise. We did fine the first 3 times out on the fourth afternoon walk he freaked out and would not cross the street to go on the path. I took him back home and tried again this morning same thing I took treats and sort of prompted pulled him across the street once on the path he sad down and wouldn't move once I turned to go back home across the street he got up and came with me. What is up and what do I do to fix this nothing changed on the walk. In fact, the first time he got so excited and nervous he threw up, but still went back the second and third time with no problem and even didn't bark and back away as much at people, dogs and stuff. I have to get him back out there he weighs 52 lbs and I use a harness on him which really helps me control him and not be dragged through the neighborhood. Thank you so much.

[Lucky098]

First I'm going to advise not to use a harness. There is little to no control of the dog. Harnesses were developed to do one thing, let a dog pull. Try and get a martengale or greyhound collar. It has a choke chain effect without the choking. The dog cannot slip the collar, back out of it or blow you off. Id advise to get the collar that is part chain. You can make corrections without it being very harsh.

This could be fear. Something may have startled him. But regardless he needs to keep moving forward. Does he act this way when you go a different way? If you haven't tried a different way, then try it and see what his reaction is. If you have tried a different path and get the same reaction, then its time to take a couple big steps back. Use each day as a training lesson. Take him out, go to the end of your drive way. Reward and praise. Then go back I inside. Let him rest for a couple minutes then do it again. Each time go further and further down the road. If he stops, keep pressure on the lead until he comes to you. Once he does, and is calm about it, reward, praise and head back home.

You're rewarding him for going with you, not going home. The reason you go little steps at a time is because you want this to be a pos. Experience for him. Dragging him through the streets is making him more scared and anxious. Eventually he will learn that is OK to go for walks and that there is nothing out to get him and that he will always be able go back home.

This is going to be a lot of work and patience. You might even want to sign him up for obedience classes to help you along the way. He's young enough, hell snap out of it. He's just going through a weird phase right now. Some dogs are just very passive and small things can frighten them easily.

Good luck