Over the past few weeks, we find that our 5 month old lab (female) balks / holds back during walks. At times, she seems startled/frightened by sounds (birds, traffic in the distance, dogs barking) and at times it is simply her stopping and standing firm. We live in a wooded development that certainly has lots of natural sounds and smells. I get the stop and sniff behavior, but this periodic anxiety is odd. I welcome specific suggestions on how to best approach this. Also, I appreciate the assistance on previous posts! We are slowly making our way and love this pup!
Hi @NSandstrom I would seek the services of a positive reinforcement dog trainer/behaviourist. Your dog needs to be observed, evaluated and a training regime designed for her. The behaviour will probably worsen. So act now.
Michael- expand more on this recommendation -- it actually sounds a bit extreme. The issue is not a huge problem, but I would like to develop some strategies that make her more comfortable. She is well socialized with other dogs, people. As I have read other threads on similar issues, I am seeing some comments relative to similar issues. I may be trying to get her into my walking regimen rather than providing an experience she needs or would benefit from. These walks tend to be 1/2-3/4 miles.
Hi @NSandstrom I didn't mean to be alarmist. But there is something going on. You say your dog stops and won't budge. But something must be triggering that reaction. If it is some odour then we humans are not going to detect it. In other cases the dog trainer may be able to observe the possible trigger. By all means as an alternative ask a friend to go with you who will attempt to see what are the triggers. Have you tried an adaptil collar? It does not work on all dogs, but it does on some.you might be a lucky one. With respect to the known triggers, don't walk the dog beyond the threshold distance (the point at which she starts to react). Walk away say 1 , 2 or 3 metres till she displays calming signals. And reward her with a treat every time you see a calming signal. If you know how to read her body language, and understand the suggested training, then a trainer may not be required. If not, then the instruction from a trainer will be highly beneficial.
The idea of an Adaptil collar is a good one. But really I would just give your dog time to take in and process what is going on, around her. Familiarisation and habituation will lead to the dog relaxing - so if she balks and shows signs of wanting to stop, allow her to stop. It's humans who think a walk has to cover ground and be at a certain pace and take up a certain route. This is a foreign concept to dogs. Let her take her time to experience the world. Crouch by her side and pet her if she seems to like or enjoy that. If the grass is dry, sit on it and let her think about things until she tells you she is ready to continue again.
Puppies go through a second fear phase at 5 months usually lasting about three weeks. It is important to keep them from being affraid during this time. It is during this phase where puppies could experience a “single incident implant” that could trigger a negative behaviour for the rest of their life based on one tiny moment. There’s some really interesting literature about it. It’s very normal and you just need to give them a break for a few weeks and try to protect them from scary things and noises the best you can and not force them along on walks they don’t want to take. It usually passes without incident. Our boy was scared by howling coyotes at this age and now doesn’t want to go pee before bed unless we go with. And like Jo says, if the walk is for them then let them enjoy it. There’s no mile counter.
It’s the 2nd fear phase they go through at around 5 months! Just be there for your pup and use treats to give positive reinforcement. We used to walk up to people and objects that caused fear and give said people and things actual hugs while using a loving voice and reassuring safety and then give our pup a treat when he would approach and sniff. We also used the treats as a distraction - just every 1/2 block give a nibble of treats so his focus was on us. The treats are a great tool and gave our dog a positive association with the reassuring tone we used.
Could you please supply a reference for the claim there is a second phase period? I am aware of only one reference to a second fear period, a relatively old obedience book with little in the way of academic references, and the claim there is that it occurs much latter on in the first year. A quick look in Lindsay's work does not refer to a second fear period.
I agree with Michael, there is actually precious little evidence that the '2nd-fear period' even exists - despite it being talked about widely on internet forums. As a behaviourist, I tend to see dogs first presenting with fear-based problem behaviours around the age of 8 months-1 year. But I don't think this is a phase - because these problems don't subsequently go away, they remain (without behavioural work) for life and can often get worse. My hypothesis, is that these issues are the result of either genetics or imperfect socialisation - or both - and for some reason the effect of this is latent and pops up towards the end of the first year. I mean, we don't see the effect of poor socialisation one day after the socialisation period ends - we can often see no impact immediately - and then it all occurs towards the end of the first year. I think owners understandably like to have a label to stick on things like '2nd fear period' and also that it makes people feel better to consider it as a normal developmental period - rather than as undesirable and problematic - and so people cling to this '2nd fear period' thing for these reasons, in the absence of any research....
I read through all the posts in the thread again. Thought I would update and express some thoughts. Lola in a week shy of 6 months now. She is a great puppy, filled with energy. The walks have gotten much better. I let go of the need for a "walk" and tried to make it more of an exploration. And periodic rewards for good behavior have helped. That being said, she still does have days where a walk isn't what she needs. Her body language doesn't indicate any anxiety....ears are perked, she's standing alert with a wagging tail. She just doesn't necessarily want to go. We've seen a number of foxes in the area, there is a definite scent. So not sure if this is part of it. But my attitude is to try to enjoy our time and not "force" her into anything. I have appreciated the suggestions and comments in the thread.
That sounds like a good approach to me. Perhaps have some training games you could stop and play at these moments when she gets worried, it might help her regain confidence - it can be really simple things like 'catch the treat' or hand touches...
