Hey everyone, So I made a boo-boo... Ziggy (14 weeks) and his monkey butlers live in a small estate in a village that has a main road on the only way in/out that's very busy with cars/buses/lorries etc. From when we got him (7 weeks) I took him out either in my arms or on lead up to the main road to watch the traffic go by and, whilst he showed a bit of nerves initially we made progress and got to the point where he wasn't fussed by it. We could go to the local football pitch (5 minutes away) for a mooch around or up to the village hall where his puppy classes are no bother. Last week he was having a 'difficult' day, lots of noise and not settling. This was pretty stressful for us as we both work from home, spend a lot of time on the phone and it was out of character for him. At the end of the day I took him out for a walk, pretty frustrated and here's where I messed up. We went for longer than we would have (not huge just a few minutes) down to a disused railway path, to get there you need to cross a bridge where the pavement is really narrow. As we crossed the bridge two double decker buses passed and he got spooked, he also got a fright on the way there as a shopkeeper closed his shutters just as we were passed. Anyway, he walked back home ok and all seemed well. The next day, we went out in the morning to go for a noodle around the football field, he got to the top of our road and started whining/jumping up on me/pulling to go back. I managed to get him there where he was happy enough in the field but he was clearly fearful on the way there/back. This is now consistent behaviour as he gets to the top of the road and starts to react, he's even started to object to putting his collar on. I haven't pushed him beyond our estate since then as it finally dawned on me what I've done. I've been working on taking him up to main road at his own pace, rewarding him as we go then stopping and/or turning back after a few minutes. Our estate is small and it's the only way in/out. He's also not great in the car at this stage so we are sort of stuck. I feel like I am failing my pup, I have taken this funny, sweet, affectionate, mischievous little man and destroyed his earlier confidence...and my own. Part of this is just a vent but if anyone has any pointers on how to help then I'd love to hear it.
No you haven’t. This phase is not unusual at this age. But you need to take it very slowly now. I had this with Gypsy. I took her in the car to a place where we could safely observe traffic at a distance. Then I ‘set up camp’. I stood and said nothing, Reading my phone and she sat/stood and watched until Gypsy got bored and lay down, then I praised and treated her. This took 15 minutes at first and she was on high alert to start with. I did this every day and in different places then, as she gained confidence, moved closer to the traffic and did the same. After that we went on ‘easy’ suburban routes with cars but not too many. She qualified as a Guide Dog .
Hi @Stew, while I don't have experience of this particular problem, I just want to say don't beat yourself up No two puppies are the same and even experienced people have to go "back to the drawing board" from time to time. It sounds like you are maybe pressurizing yourself. In my experience puppies, like all young things, are both incredibly impressionable and incredibly resilient. I can't add anything to the good advice from @Boogie , but I find with my own 2 year old Cassie the best way to deal with set backs is to turn them into training opportunities!
Thanks for the kind words and advice folks. He's just been doing so well and is such a little character. We'll work through it, already been up to the top of the road and he lay down to coax some sausage and kibble out of me
What I love @Stew , is that you are humble enough to admit your error and ask for advice, and that makes you a caring loving owner . We all make mistakes , every one of us, to a greater or lesser degree , onwards and upwards !
No, don’t beat yourself up - these things happen. Molly went through a stage (can’t remember how old - possibly a bit over a year old) when she became very reactive to traffic, lunging and barking. I don’t know what, if anything, I’d done to cause it. Anyway we live on a quiet road, so I started walking her along and as soon as a car appeared I stuffed a really good treat in her mouth. Repeated this a lot and gradually in busier areas. I wasn’t rewarding a calm response - i was conditioning an association between seeing a car and something good arriving in her mouth. She’s fine in traffic now (well, ok, occasionally not so great with very noisy motorbikes) and I no longer need to use food. She passed silver and gold good citizen which require a walk through a town, so it can definitely be sorted out.
We all make mistakes. Be kind to yourself. Remember little steps, I am sure all will be well with Ziggy.
I had this with Harley. I live just off of a dual carriageway and have to go on it to get anywhere. She used to walk up it no problem until a bus went passed and sprayed us with water! It took about a week, by going to the end of our cul de sac several times a day and just sitting there watching traffic. Each day we moved closer to the dual carriageway, but only where she was comfortable. We used lots and lots of treats and got busses and trucks associated with yummy treats. She will now quite happily walk up and down the dual carriageway with no problem.
A bit back me and Ella went for a quick walk a large van mounted the curb very near hit me and Ella she woz so scared of cars etc after that but with slowly re introducing cars she is now back to normal
