Maggie HATES her walk!!

M

maggiesmom

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We got Maggie just over a week ago now from petland she has been there since 8 weeks and she is almost 6 months so a long time in a pet store! She is doing great except she HATES her walk she is freaking out the whole time trying to drag me back home cars, bikes, people and dogs barking are the worst i keep taking her just around the block every day hoping she will get better but she just isnt. Should i keep taking her? Will she get use to it?

She was really bad in the back yard even at first but now she is very comfortable back there she runs and gets lots of exercise so she doesnt really need the walk so i am not sure what i should do :confused2:
 
If Maggie spent her entire life in a pet store (until you rescued her and brought her home) then I'm not surprised she's fear reacting to anything and everything. She's never been exposed to any of this. You are going to have to take things slowly with her; and you may not be able to actually take her for a walk just yet.

Long story short - she needs exposure to new things because she didn't get it as a young puppy. You are going to have to treat her like she's 8 - 10 weeks old in that regard. The more exposure she gets to new things, in short doses (no more than 10-15 minutes, the better the chances she'll overcome her fear reactions.


A few ideas:

I don't know how busy your street is, but I'd start there. Take some treats and just sit outside. As soon as you notice a car, bike, person, whatever she's reactive to passes, get a treat in front of her mouth and let her lick at it. (Don't give it to her yet.) Talk to her and tell her she's a good girl. Once the car/bike/etc. passes, give her the treat and LOTS of praise.

Make sure the treat is IRRESISTIBLE; chicken, hot dog, etc.

Once she gets use to that, move somewhere a little busier and repeat the process.

Finally, enroll her in some classes, like beginner obedience; work toward the CGC certification. This will get her out and socializing with others; something her early months were completely missing. Take yummy treats and let people drop food in front of her - not looking at her - the first few times. You can do this at places like PetSmart or PetCo too. Let ANYONE who is near her, give her a treat.

Word of Caution: If she's getting a lot of treats, you want to back off on her breakfast/dinner quantities or you'll have a fat pup on your hands.
 
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Thanks so much for the info i am really proud of her for doing so great with not being exposed to anything before she really is a sweet doggie i will for sure try your advice :smile2: i am really looking forward to obedience and then was thinking about trying to get her in agility she loves to run all around the backyard and weave in and out of all of the kids toys!


Silaria said:
If Maggie spent her entire life in a pet store (until you rescued her and brought her home) then I'm not surprised she's fear reacting to anything and everything. She's never been exposed to any of this. You are going to have to take things slowly with her; and you may not be able to actually take her for a walk just yet.

Long story short - she needs exposure to new things because she didn't get it as a young puppy. You are going to have to treat her like she's 8 - 10 weeks old in that regard. The more exposure she gets to new things, in short doses (no more than 10-15 minutes, the better the chances she'll overcome her fear reactions.


A few ideas:

I don't know how busy your street is, but I'd start there. Take some treats and just sit outside. As soon as you notice a car, bike, person, whatever she's reactive to passes, get a treat in front of her mouth and let her lick at it. (Don't give it to her yet.) Talk to her and tell her she's a good girl. Once the car/bike/etc. passes, give her the treat and LOTS of praise.

Make sure the treat is IRRESISTIBLE; chicken, hot dog, etc.

Once she gets use to that, move somewhere a little busier and repeat the process.

Finally, enroll her in some classes, like beginner obedience; work toward the CGC certification. This will get her out and socializing with others; something her early months were completely missing. Take yummy treats and let people drop food in front of her - not looking at her - the first few times. You can do this at places like PetSmart or PetCo too. Let ANYONE who is near her, give her a treat.

Word of Caution: If she's getting a lot of treats, you want to back off on her breakfast/dinner quantities or you'll have a fat pup on your hands.
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Just a thought: since she's still a puppy, you might like to carry her for a short walk or just hanging out in the street with some neighbors. The "world" will seem less scary in your arms and she'll get used to the sounds and smells more easily. Carry a while, walk more.
 
I had the same problem with Sadie, but, she was much younger. I took treats with me and tossed them in front of her. When she walked forward to get the treat, I praised her. After just a couple of times, she now walks with confidence and no fear!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!:wink2:
 
Hi there :)
I'm brand new to Sheltie life, but I've been researching extensively for a few months and regarding the temperament stuff (not wanting to walk, etc) I'd definitely say start *very slowly* with your pup. Especially since you mentioned Petland, and there's been lots of news about Petland and puppy mills:

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/timelines/petland_investigation.html

...which means your pup prolly isn't used to life outside a very confined space in my opinion...it could just take some extra time and lots of extra love and undivided attention at home before she's comfy in public or around strangers. She needs to feel safe and secure in her own home before she'll be confident out in the world; puppy mills are terrible for socialization I've heard; this just means she'll be much more timid until she's gotten to know and trust her new home and her new family. When human children are raised in foster care, for instance, it can take much longer to get adjusted, but then the life long love and trust you establish are definitely worthy of the challenge!

Best of luck!!
 
Even pups that come from great breeders and are well-adjusted can be fearful of their first walks. So, I don't think you should assume the fear of walking is due to her upbringing.

Silaria gave some very good tips. It's all about baby steps. My breeder started the process for me by taking Bacca out onto the front lawn to sit and just get used to the cars driving by (at 7 weeks).

Then I just built on that when I brought him home. The first time I tried to bring him to the end of the driveway, he balked. So I picked him up and the two of us sat on the grass together. The next day, he walked down the driveway and I used treats to get him onto the road. Once there, it was a cake-walk.

You just can't rush it. Acclimitazation is the key.
 
As others have said she needs time to build her confidence. Unfortunately her vital socialisation period was spent in a limited environment (pet shop), but by no means does this mean she cannot become happy with walks, and Barb is correct - Merlin came from a great breeder but his first walks were clearly nerve-wracking for him, even though I had spent time carrying him around. Now he adores his walks and all I have to do is pick up my shoes and the excitement barking begins!!
 
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