Question with a behavior my sheltie has. She is scared to death of Skateboarders. She can hear them 2 blocks away. We walk alot & when she hears them she yankes her leash the opposite way to get away from the skateboarders. I have been making her sit but the closer they get the more nervous she gets and she tries to pull....can anyone help with this problem
scared of skateboarders
- Thread starter kstrle
- Start date
graydawntreader
Forums Enthusiast
I have a similar problem with my dogs. Except that they try to herd the skateboarders.
What I am doing about it, is walking them past but not close to skateboarders. I will very gradually walk closer and closer until they behave well. I reward the right behavior with their favorite dog treats and praise, and regard the wrong behaviors with a "no".
What I am doing about it, is walking them past but not close to skateboarders. I will very gradually walk closer and closer until they behave well. I reward the right behavior with their favorite dog treats and praise, and regard the wrong behaviors with a "no".
Chris
Premium Member
Graydawntreader sure has the right idea. This is going to require sloooow desensitization. I would recommend this:
1. Get someone to lend you a skateboard for a few weeks. Put it on the floor where she can smell it on her own terms. After a couple of days, put a favorite toy on the skateboard. Roll it around slowly.
2. Take the skateboard outside and do the same thing where she can hear the wheels turn on pavement.
3. Once she's calm with that, get a friend to stand on the skateboard while you have her on the leash. Have the friend speak calmly to her and offer her a treat while standing on the board.
4. Once she's ok with that, try having the friend roll slowly as you walk beside with your girl on her leash.
5. Now you're ready to have your friend roll sloooowly past you with your Sheltie on the leash. Build up speed over a period of days.
Always praise your dog for being calm around the skateboard. Avoid the "poor baby pity voice" at any time. Never say "NO," and always speak in a calm, matter of fact voice. If at any point she panics, go back to the previous step.
Yes, this is tedious, taking at least two days per step and probably more, but the result will be a much more secure and confident Sheltie!
1. Get someone to lend you a skateboard for a few weeks. Put it on the floor where she can smell it on her own terms. After a couple of days, put a favorite toy on the skateboard. Roll it around slowly.
2. Take the skateboard outside and do the same thing where she can hear the wheels turn on pavement.
3. Once she's calm with that, get a friend to stand on the skateboard while you have her on the leash. Have the friend speak calmly to her and offer her a treat while standing on the board.
4. Once she's ok with that, try having the friend roll slowly as you walk beside with your girl on her leash.
5. Now you're ready to have your friend roll sloooowly past you with your Sheltie on the leash. Build up speed over a period of days.
Always praise your dog for being calm around the skateboard. Avoid the "poor baby pity voice" at any time. Never say "NO," and always speak in a calm, matter of fact voice. If at any point she panics, go back to the previous step.
Yes, this is tedious, taking at least two days per step and probably more, but the result will be a much more secure and confident Sheltie!
Last edited:
thanks for suggestions
Thank you for the suggestions. I'm one of those people that it has to work the first time so I have to be more patient with her. I try not to speak in the baby pity voice.....That is annoying. But I'll try what you said....THANKS so much for the information
Thank you for the suggestions. I'm one of those people that it has to work the first time so I have to be more patient with her. I try not to speak in the baby pity voice.....That is annoying. But I'll try what you said....THANKS so much for the information
Chris
Premium Member
That's an occupational hazard among Sheltie owners: our dogs are so smart we get spoiled!
Skateboards
I have the same problem with my dog. I was at the beach not more than a half hour ago and there was a kid riding one and my dog does the opposite. He shuts right down.So now I am going to buy one and on his terms let him sniff it out.I will use a clicker and put treats on it and if he goes over to it I click and treat then move it out to the grass area and work with him. Sharon
I have the same problem with my dog. I was at the beach not more than a half hour ago and there was a kid riding one and my dog does the opposite. He shuts right down.So now I am going to buy one and on his terms let him sniff it out.I will use a clicker and put treats on it and if he goes over to it I click and treat then move it out to the grass area and work with him. Sharon