Chester is 13 weeks old and a happy confident chap in most situations. We have taken him new places, met new people etc long before he was 'jab safe' to go out on his walks, but the boy is terrified when we go out. We did puppy parties at the vets with other pre jabbed pups and although nervous initially, came out of his shell and was star of the show with the trainer using him for the demonstrations as he does seem to pick things up quickly.
He has been officially able to go out for walks for just over a week now, we only take him on short walks (literally to the end of the street in some cases). He gets excited to go out but then at the end of the drive puts the brakes on and pulls to be back inside. He can be enticed with sausage/cheese/chicken to go a little further most of the time but he just seems so scared (tail between the legs, squishy butt etc)
His first walk, he was nervous yet excited and I've gone over and over to see if anything eventful happened or if he got a fright etc but to be honest we live in such a quiet place and we only went around the block there was nothing I can put my finger on. It is a very quiet place where we live and seriously nothing happens around here, however, there are loads of people out walking dogs (although when we have been out we haven't bumped into any) so wondering if the smells are confusing him/scaring him.
I'm wondering if I need to take him somewhere where there are more people/actual distractions. We live by the seafront and the promenade would be a great place, plenty of people and dogs etc but would this overwhelm him?
The last couple of days I've increased his walks to about 4-5 per day (v v short walks) in the hope that would quicken the process of 'breaking him in' and show him that this is actually meant to be fun!
Any ideas?
Jules and Cowardly Chester
He has been officially able to go out for walks for just over a week now, we only take him on short walks (literally to the end of the street in some cases). He gets excited to go out but then at the end of the drive puts the brakes on and pulls to be back inside. He can be enticed with sausage/cheese/chicken to go a little further most of the time but he just seems so scared (tail between the legs, squishy butt etc)
His first walk, he was nervous yet excited and I've gone over and over to see if anything eventful happened or if he got a fright etc but to be honest we live in such a quiet place and we only went around the block there was nothing I can put my finger on. It is a very quiet place where we live and seriously nothing happens around here, however, there are loads of people out walking dogs (although when we have been out we haven't bumped into any) so wondering if the smells are confusing him/scaring him.
I'm wondering if I need to take him somewhere where there are more people/actual distractions. We live by the seafront and the promenade would be a great place, plenty of people and dogs etc but would this overwhelm him?
The last couple of days I've increased his walks to about 4-5 per day (v v short walks) in the hope that would quicken the process of 'breaking him in' and show him that this is actually meant to be fun!
Any ideas?
Jules and Cowardly Chester
, put him down on the ground and let him wag at people then walk back to the car...
