Hi everyone I have posted about this before in the puppy section but I did what people recommended and nothing seems to have worked. My 14 week old lab will not walk outside, I have tried treats, encouragement, rewards, carrying him when he is scared. Nothing seems to do much good it seems he is afraid to leave our cul-de-sac. The first few times we took him out he did fantastic and the other day he walked brilliantly with an older family friend's dog but when its just the 2 of us or me and my partner he just cries and cries and wants to turn back all the time. I have gone back to basics and have had him with his lead and collar on walking up and down the front room of the house, then the garden for 10-15 minutes an evening with lots of treats and he has done brilliantly. He acts as though he is scared of the cars when walking on the streets. We did socialise him to vehicles when we had him and with the family friends dog the other day they didn't bother him. Does anyone have any additional advice that I may try, we really want him to enjoy his walks and have fun, but also want to tire him out a little as he is very hyperactive in the evening (as expected) We are signed up to puppy classes but they don't start till the 18th Feb and im worried he will be 16 weeks then and at the cut off stage for the best training. Thanks In Advance x
Re: walking trouble- no idea what to do next Hi Pippa , sorry that you are having this issue but don't fret too much about the 18th being too late , the 16 week timeslot is not set in stone, purely a guideline as being the best age at which a pup has been socialised . My rescue girl Millie was about 8 years old when we had her and hadn't been socialised and yes, its harder with an older dog, but its doable so don't lose sleep over it . I would recommend that you walk with other owners and their dogs as much as possible , not just occasionally , maybe even ask if your Vet would put a card up for you saying that you are looking for walking partners with well mannered dogs , ask locally , most people wouldn't mind one little bit having a pup join them on walks every now and then . Try to keep relaxed about the walks , dogs can sense stress down the lead , your anxieties will be passed to him, so being relaxed will also pass to him, good luck
