refusing to walk!!!! HELP!!!!!

[helena_steve]

hiya everyone,

been a few months since i posted. i have a huge problem with my six month old staffordshire bull terior, she is lovely but refuses to walk near roads and anywhere where there is a loud noise ( even the sound of a watterfall) she lowers herself to the floor and won't move . i end up carrying her which is becoming increasingly difficult. All aspcets of other training has gone great, i have tried all sorts, wlaking with another dog, sitting on a bench and watched cars go by, tempting her with treats (normal and special) i even tried some beef but she wont move.any help would be greatly appreciated

thanx helena ::o

[Carolyn]

Hi there :)

I'm sure someone will come along soon, with much more advice than I can give. What I can share though is my experiences when Sugar first came into my life.

I got Sugar from a friend of mine, who should in reality never own another dog. She was fed and loved, but that was it. She was outside with no grass, and old kennel, was never allowed inside, and not given the attention she deserves. Her previous owner knew, she deserved better, and knew that I could give her the life she deserves.

That was five years ago now, and Sugar lives inside with us as part of her family and has never looked back :)

She was however like your little Staffy. When I got her, training started immediately. This of course was all new to my poor little girl. Our first walk experiences were so traumatic. I didn't have Max then, I had Ludo my Dandie Dinmont Terrier (At the bridge)

Sugar would do exactly as your girl is doing now. She would drop to the ground like a bomb had gone off, when trucks or cars passed us. She was frigtened of traffic lights, bikes, any loud noises. And heaven forbid if a train went past. With your girl I wouldn't pick her up, as this will reinforce to her that there is a reason to be frightened. What I did with Sugar was, kept talking to her in a friendly relaxed tone. I didn't make a fuss, and tried to make sure that she knew, I believed, as her leader that was no threat, and that if there was, then I would take care of it. I didn't pick Sugar up or make any undue fuss of her. I just would gently coax her to continue our walk in a happy tone, and eventually with time and patience she got over her fears.

Even now though she will twitch or jump if a large truck zooms by, but she never stops or cringes. Hang in there, it will get better.

As I said I'm no expert, but can only draw on my own experience. Good luck with it, I'm sure it will be fine :)

[Bailey+Ralph]

Do you take her to any Obedience classes?
Not saying that she is disobedient (more for the socialisation).
Is she nervous at other times or just while out by the roads?
There are some good "Calming" Remedies that you could try (Either from the vets, or Homeopathic).
Sorry i don't know what else to suggest.......Good luck :)

[Roxy's CD]

Hmm.. The only time I've heard of something like this is with little puppies.. *thinks*..

Is there anywhere quiet you can walk her like a park or at night time. Then she can get used to actually walking and it being fun. Then you can slowly introduce to her more, loud distractions.

[helena_steve]

thanx for all the replies, saffy goes to obdience classes which are held on a field so she is fine there. I cannot get past the front gate before she drops to the floor. i have managed twice to get to the bottom of the street. i have taken her to two different parks and as long as its not near a busy road (which my local park is) she is fine. yesterday was terrible we went to a country house which had a waterfall and as soon as we walked in the area near the waterfall she was on the ground and ears back trying to get to the car. we spent the whole afternoon trying to coax her round the gardens. without much success! i know she is still quite small (6 months) but would like to get this sorted.

thanks again helena xxx

[Bailey+Ralph]

thanx for all the replies, saffy goes to obdience classes which are held on a field so she is fine there. I cannot get past the front gate before she drops to the floor. i have managed twice to get to the bottom of the street. i have taken her to two different parks and as long as its not near a busy road (which my local park is) she is fine. yesterday was terrible we went to a country house which had a waterfall and as soon as we walked in the area near the waterfall she was on the ground and ears back trying to get to the car. we spent the whole afternoon trying to coax her round the gardens. without much success! i know she is still quite small (6 months) but would like to get this sorted.

thanks again helena xxx

Have you spoken the the Trainer at the classes?
He/She may have some really useful tips for walking her.