[paisley84]

My 5 year old German Shepard/ boarder collie cross is suddenly afraid to go for walks. She is still fine leaving the house when we go for a "car ride" and fine walking at the park; She is also fine going for walks when we go to help my daughter with her flyer route. However, when I try to take her for a walk around the neighbourhood she will not go... She sees me with the leash and runs away and hides. I have had her from a puppy and nothing has happened outside while on walks (she has not been attacked, there is no construction or anything going on etc. The only thing I can think of is the feral cats in the neighbourhood but she is still fine going out by herself on the front yard (which is the only place the cats have ever bugged her).Has anyone seen this before? Should I force her to go for walks or just leave it? Please help.

[Alty]

This is odd. When did this start? Has she been ill? Any other changes in the home? Does she do this with anyone else but you, and is it only when the two of you go for a walk alone that she reacts this way?

Last questions, I promise. Have you gone through anything lately? An illness, surgery, depression, a breakup, anything at all?

[paisley84]

This started maybe a month or so ago, but it was only once in a while when it started, it seems to be getting worse and worse. She has not been ill at all. We did move but that was in October and we are in the same area. She also acts this way with my wife, and has done it when the two of us walk her together, though not every time. There has been nothing dramatic like that (illness, breakup etc) at all.

[Alty]

Final question... maybe. ;)

When she first started doing this how did you react? Did you coddle her "Oh, it's okay sweetie, you'll be fine", did you give her treats to get her over it, were you firm and forced her to go anyway? What did you do when it all started?

[paisley84]

I just told her that we HAD to go, like normal conversation tone... and put the leash on her... once it was on she came (I did not have to pull her or anything) but rushed through the walk, pulling forefully the whole way home. I have not coddled,I have made her go (she's already putting on weight)but made sure not to seem angry and talked to her the whole walk and played silly games along the way... she still just wanted to get home. I have not tried treating her. The last few time I did not make her go... tonight we just played in the backyard instead (she was VERY excited for that).

[Alty]

I wish I knew what the issue is. For her to suddenly do this, well, something had to have happened. Sadly she can't tell us what's bothering her.

You're doing everything right. You're being positive, you're not coddling her, you're not forcing her. But, I'm sure you're upset about it, otherwise you wouldn't be here asking questions.

Dogs can sense when we're upset. You may not notice it, but I bet that your body stance, your heart rate, everything about you changes when you get ready to take her for a walk, because you know what's coming. That alone could trigger how she's reacting.

Not an easy thing to change though. You feel how you feel, and you really can't change it.

Have you considered hiring an animal behaviorist, someone that can work with her, someone that doesn't react to how she's behaving, or the prospect of how she'll behave?

Other than that, I think you're going about this the right way, but you said it's getting worse. If an animal behaviorist isn't an option, this is how I'd go about things.

Upbeat and positive when it's walk time. Call her, and when she comes to you give her tons of praise and a treat. If she doesn't protest the leash being put on, more praise and a treat. You want her to associate this with good things, and praise and a treat to a dog, that's a great thing. :)

When you're on the walk praise her often, if she's not pulling to go home, even for a second, praise and a treat. I don't like using treats to train, but when it's a change in unwanted behavior then treats can be a very good thing, and they won't be forever. You just want to get her to associate walks with good things.

This won't be a quick process. You have to take every step in baby steps. For instance, if she doesn't allow you to put on the leash without resistance, you wait, and try again. Not until she accepts the leash are you going to go for a walk. It may be hours or days before this happens.

The main thing is tons of positive reinforcement. It's like going back to potty training. You have to teach her that walks are good, that this is what you want from her.

The best would be an animal behaviorist, but I know I couldn't afford to go that route. Not many could,and I really don't know if this issue is big enough that that's your only option. If it is a viable option though, that would be your best bet for a quicker, less stressful, solution.

[paisley84]

OK, thank you. I will keep that in mind. You have been very helpful.

[Alty]

ok, thank you. I will keep that in mind. You have been very helpful.

You're welcome. Please keep me posted on her progress. I'd like to know how this all works out. :)