Fear on Walks

[shelly]

Okay, all you "Doodle Experts"... I am having problems walking my ausiedoodle around the neighborhood lately. She does her daily walk 2 times every morning to the bus stop with my sons, but... when we walk around the neighborhood, it's a different story - It seems that she is picking and choosing when she will proceed on her walk. This weekend, I walked around the block and she down right just refused to continue when we got to a particular driveway. Nothing/no one was there. She just planted her paws and stopped and even laid down when I tried to coax her forward. I actually had to pick her up to get her past. (Thank goodness she's not as big as some doodles) - Walked about five feet, put her down and she was fine. Later, on the same walk, she did it again, but this time it was because of a truck starting up. I again picked her up, walked on, put her down and she continued on her merry way. Obviously (I know) she does have some fear 'aggression' issues which I posted in the past. But she has really come around. I don't know if I should tug her along, or what. NOTHING I said, did , or 'promised her' would get her to move. Thanks for any suggestions!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Is she food motivated? Have you tried this? giving her a high value treat before you get to her stop spot, and keep giving them to her while you are walking that scary 5 feet and keep her mind off whatever makes her stop?? I believe you must make it a positive thing to walk past this spot - something that we humans do not understand is making her freeze.

I found these smelly treats that my doodles act like they are cat nip! Zukes - mini's (no gargabe in them). They are only 2 calories each and soft that I break these little treats into quarters. I found a site where they cost the same for the 16 oz bag as the one I buy retail for a 6oz bag ($28 and change for 4 bags that included the shipping). I got my shipment within a week!
doggie.com

[shelly]

Thanks Adrianne. It depends on the 'food'. Really we have only given her carrots lately, as she had a bout of pancreatitis from some pork she ate from the garbage a few months back, so now I'm afraid of the fat content. We used to give her peanut butter, which she loved, but really hasn't had it since. I actualy also freeze her canned food into little meatballs and she just about does a backflip for them - LOL. I will definitely try that tho'. I tried to take her mind off it on our walk back by saying "trot, trot" at which point she always breaks into a canter-like run, but she must be smarter than I thought b/c that's jsut about where she stopped the second time. But i will definitely try again this weekend. I will definitely check out that web-site. Thanks again! Shelly

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Let me know how it works. Interesting to see if she gets her mind onto her favorite meatballs if it means more to get one then to get 'spooked' at that spot. Don't forget - she can read your feelings so take a deep breathe, pretend that spot means nothing (whistle or sing Happy Birthday, or something) and keep moving. I will bet if you are calm, show the meatball before the spot, trot and you will get by without a problem!
Good Luck!

[shelly]

Thanks! Yes! She definitely picks up on our feelings. She runs and hides if I even raise my voice even a bit at the boys, or if someone is upset, she's right there next to you with her head on your lap. Oh she's just too cute!!!