Scared of going out

Hi

My lovely 20 week old staffie puppy is terrified of pavement walking although she loves open spaces, woods and any green stuff! She has even become nervous of her harness even though all we have ever done is encourage, praise and reward (bribe!) with treats for walking outside. We have walked on quiet streets.

She has lived with us for about four weeks and has been going out for about a fortnight. Any advice / tips welcome.

Ta

Can you take (carry/drive) her to green areas with paths/pavements through them (e.g. pavement type paths through parks) and start to acclimatise her from there?

You can cross the paths at first, rather than walk along them, then gradually increase the time she spends on the path, before returning to the green/grass areas.

You could also place her on the path and encourage her to walk off it to the grass areas

Is it the feel of the surface that worries her or the traffic and people close by associated with pavements?

Is she used to lead walking on grassed areas or is she usually loose in these areas?

If so you need to start lead walking on grass first and have her comfortable with that before tackling the pavements.

For some puppies two weeks is a short time to be getting comfortable with new places or situations.

Try letting her wear her harness around the house several times a day, without a lead and without taking her out, so she can get used to the feel of that first and to be happy about running around the house loose in that.

Thanks Tass. This is all helpful. Grassed areas are a bit of a mix of on and off lead depending if near road, how many other dogs / children about etc. initially I thought it was the sound of cars but she can just sit, tremble and refuse to move for no reason that it is apparent to human senses. We are very gentle with her, just talking to her gently, crouched down until she is able to move again, then lots of treats for getting going. We also take her out very early when traffic and distractions are at a minimum. She is fine on paths in parks and also with people in parks.

Sounds as if it might be traffic, or anticipation of traffic, or hearing traffic that you don't notice.

Is she relaxed if you hold her outside with traffic about?

If so maybe try spending some sitting with her in your lap, just outside your front gate then when she is relaxed put her down, move one step away and encourage her to come that very short distance to you and repeat until settled again, gradually increasing the distance.

Is she any happier to walk with another dog for confidence? On the non traffic side of you? Will she walk with you on a lead elsewhere or do you tend to follow her?

Can you walk her on grassed areas alongside roads with parks?

How is she on grass verges, i.e near the traffic but on grass?

Do you have a front garden by the road, will she walk on her lead there?

You are looking to identify the cause of her anxiety so you know more precisely what you need to address and work on.

My cavvie was like this in her first year. I just plonked her in the car at the house and drove her to where she wasn't scared or nervy of everything.

She outgrew it - can't remember when - but at sometime after that she was fine with busy roads and lots of people and dogs approaching us.

I just didn't 'push it' at the time when she was obviously not happy about it.

'Socialising' my dogs has always been one of my main priorities - both with people and other dogs. I'd take them out before they could 'go down on the street' and just carry them and let people say hello. And get them used to other dogs as quickly and as often as possible - every day if we could.

I only carried Millie across roads as I didnt want her lieing down in them.

The way I got Millie out of being frightened of the pavement was treats!

I would throw out a treat (away from the road side, making sure no one is comming))

in front of Millie and that soon got her walking try not to over do it though as they become expectent of the treat. if you walk in front and tap your foot your pup may be drawn into it to investigate and just use gentle voice encouragements. It wont happen over night it will take some time. Be sure to take to puppy parties and classes as this will help boost your pups confidence.

If you know anyone else with dogs you could ask to walk with them so your pup can get used to walking on paths.