Big Problem I need your help Fixing!

[2pups622]

2 weeks ago me & Austin were at the park When all of a sudden a LARGE Lab comes up from behind us Off leash no owner in sight, Scared us to death . Austin turn and snapped at the dog he got so scared. Dog was friendly Even had a stick with him I threw the stick & he left. His owner was Completely across the park on the phone.
Now on to the problem Austin is Now petrified to go on a walk, The whole time he turns around every second to see whats there. He Avoids other dogs And now wont pass people ,Even if there across the park. I've forced him on a few walks and its only getting worse to were today he jumped when a car passed. I'm so mad that this one issue completely ruined my dog he was perfect on walks and loved going on them. How do i fix this???

 

[2pups622]

48 views no help im really at a loss as to what to do i hope someone can give me some advice i dont want for him to be this afraid forever.

 

[MericoX]

Sorry... no good advice here. I hope you find an answer for your problem?

Though... would taking him to a park and just sitting on the grass somewhere.. and click/treating for looking at people or dogs - or whatever is scaring him?

 

[2pups622]

We do have picnic table area we sit and he's fine. just walking there is horrible and when i say that were gonng go home he doesnt want to come off the table.

 

[Specsy]

I don't have advice, because I really am not sure. Maybe try desensitising with a positive experience with another medium or large breed dog(you will have to find someone who has a dog who doesn't play rough me thinks)? Maybe that way he may stop worrying about other dogs that are bigger than him?

 

[JacksonsMom]

Does he have a favorite toy? Favorite food? Use something special that ONLY comes out during the walk. While walking, at first constantly treat him for taking steps forward. I know it's a pain to lean over a lot. I had to do this with a puppy Rottweiler I have walked since he was a pup. I basically had to teach him to walk and I would throw a treat so that he'd have a reason to move forward. Once I learned he liked squeaky toys, I would do the squeak and he'd forget about being nervous and keep walking with me. It took me about 2 weeks to get him walking normally on a leash.

 

[adojrts]

First question, how are you responding to him being like this? Trying to comfort him? Telling it is ok? Worried for him? If you responded yes to the above, stop. Guaranteed to make him worse and it tells him he is right in his fears. Take a 'oh, your ok', attitude in your body language and tone of voice.

Stop going to the park at this point, the more this behaviour is reinforced the more he will do it.

I would give him a week or two to decompress and avoid places or situtations that you know he'll have a negative reaction too.

Play at home, start anywhere he is comfortable and relaxed, anytime he sees another dog, have him focus on you and reward (teach a watch me at home first if he doesn't know it). Then Yes/reward for looking at scary things and not responding negatively.
Does he like and feel safe in his crate? Take the crate outside, sit beside it and reward him for calm reactions.
Start going for walks in quiet areas that he is comfortable in. Use another dog that he knows and trusts that is confident to go for walks with. And certainly don't force him to go on walks and don't take him with a dog that isn't very confident if you do the pair of them will feed off of each other and get worse.

Get him into a quiet and well run training class with a trainer that understands fearful dogs and uses positive reinforcement, certainly don't go to a trainer that loves CM and does flooding.


I recommend these 3 books: Control Unleashed, Scaredy Dog and Click to Calm.