Dog behaviour problem......
Discussion
Background....we have 2 smooth fox terriers, 8 yr old dog and 7.5 b
h.
Have owned the dog since 7 weeks and the bh since 6 months.
Both are happy and healthy with no known health problems.
For the past 8 years we have had the same route for morning walks without fail, and a longer version of the route for winter nights.
However, in the last fortnight or so, the bh has decided she is not having any of it in the evening at all. She simple sits down and wont move, unless we turn round to go home. She doesnt appear to be overly distressed, just wants to turn round. The dog just wants to go for his walk.
Ive tried changing the route, offering titbits etc and nothing seems to make any difference, she just wants to go home.
It makes no difference whether its night or day either.
However, put them in the car to go to the field or woods, and its all good, and we all enjoy a long walk.
What really baffles me is that we can the morning route with zero hassle or negativity whatsoever.
Im going to try and speak to our vet in the morning to see if we can find a solution. Ive owned dogs all my life and never seen anything like this.
Any ideas how to solve this one ?
h.Have owned the dog since 7 weeks and the b
h since 6 months.Both are happy and healthy with no known health problems.
For the past 8 years we have had the same route for morning walks without fail, and a longer version of the route for winter nights.
However, in the last fortnight or so, the b
h has decided she is not having any of it in the evening at all. She simple sits down and wont move, unless we turn round to go home. She doesnt appear to be overly distressed, just wants to turn round. The dog just wants to go for his walk.Ive tried changing the route, offering titbits etc and nothing seems to make any difference, she just wants to go home.
It makes no difference whether its night or day either.
However, put them in the car to go to the field or woods, and its all good, and we all enjoy a long walk.
What really baffles me is that we can the morning route with zero hassle or negativity whatsoever.
Im going to try and speak to our vet in the morning to see if we can find a solution. Ive owned dogs all my life and never seen anything like this.
Any ideas how to solve this one ?
Has anything scared her on the walk? Ever? My lab picked up the habit at 6 months of being terrified of bins, wouldn't be on the same side of the road as one. Turns out that when we first got her she got a fright off of one that fell over as she passed, took her another two months to turn it into a fear thing.
When are you walking her, is it dark in the evenings and mornings? Have had dogs that simply wouldn't be interested in going out at night when cars had head lights on, got them spooked, one terrier did the same as yours and simply refused to move unless going home. we used to call it taking her for a drag walk, drag her out, walk her back.
When are you walking her, is it dark in the evenings and mornings? Have had dogs that simply wouldn't be interested in going out at night when cars had head lights on, got them spooked, one terrier did the same as yours and simply refused to move unless going home. we used to call it taking her for a drag walk, drag her out, walk her back.
davemac250 said:
Has anything scared her on the walk? Ever?
Not sure.Neither of them like fireworks or similar. A few months back, when we went out in the afternoon, there was obviously a pair of guys having some very good pigeon shooting in the fields down the back from us, but it wasnt terribly loud, and they havent bothered with gunshot at that sound level before, all be it not quiote as often as that occasion.davemac250 said:
When are you walking her, is it dark in the evenings and mornings?
Dark in the mornings now, but she doesnt bat an eyelid if we have to get in the car to go for walk, ie field or woods during daylight.staceyb said:
Get her eyes checked, my grans dog didn't like going out in the dark as he got older and his eyesight started to falter.
Judging by the rabbit she caught the other week down the field, I dont think theres to much wrong there !As stated tho, will be talking to the vet in the morning for inspiration.
We have three little woofios. One of them can be really strange in a similar vein to the OP's. Sometimes she'll refuse to come into the park or walk down a certain street - her latest thing is to drag back and not want to come into the house. It is actually quite scary as she makes herself go very small and is able to slip her harness/collar. The only reason we can think of for this strange behaviour is that she's been prescribed drops for an ear infection and she doesn't want to come into the house as she thinks they're going to administered.
One of the others doesn't like going out on dark, rainy evenings. She too will pull back and refuse to walk.
Who knows what may have spooked your dog - if anything... Perhaps try to change the route, see if that helps.
One of the others doesn't like going out on dark, rainy evenings. She too will pull back and refuse to walk.
Who knows what may have spooked your dog - if anything... Perhaps try to change the route, see if that helps.
Albert Bridge said:
Perhaps try to change the route, see if that helps.
Done that.The weird thing is that whilst putting coats and leads on, she gets as excited as the dog, and even rushes out the house. Its only when we get a minute from the house, she seems to realise and wants to turn round.
Its a spooked thing Im convinced, but why only in the evening ?
Furyous said:
.
Its a spooked thing Im convinced, but why only in the evening ?
Maybe she doesn't to miss her favourite TV show.Its a spooked thing Im convinced, but why only in the evening ?
Looking for a logical reason with a female is often a waste of time
I agree, if her eyesight is good then something spooked her.
I would try just walking her as far as you can till she objects, then turn around and walk her back to the house. Turn around again and see if you can coax her a little further give treat, make fuss etc.
It's possible one of your neighbours has a dominant female dog that is emitting a low growl that you cannot hear.
Albert Bridge said:
As she's quite a small dog, you could try picking her up and carrying her for a few metres then try her walking again. Good luck!
Yep, done that too !Works for about 10 paces, then realises......
Trouble is I dont want to force the issue and create a bigger problem.
outlaw biker said:
Although I wouldn't normally recommend this...and I'd never do it to my own dog (unless she tries to bite other dogs).....it sounds like a smack is in order.
Thats a dead end street. Wont solve anything, except reinforce that she gets hit everytime she goes for a walk.Something spooked her. It's a fear she has now. Don't force it. Just walk a new route.
You can try carrying her for the entire length of the walk and see if after a few trips she is willing to try it again...but it's a long shot.
My previous dog was absolutely terrified of drains, poor thing.
You can try carrying her for the entire length of the walk and see if after a few trips she is willing to try it again...but it's a long shot.
My previous dog was absolutely terrified of drains, poor thing.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff