My 15 week old puppy Tori has just started going for daily walks. We have a fantastic lake/park which is 2 minutes away and for the first few days she loved her morning and evening walks.
3 days ago we had just finished a 20 minute walk and were near the parks gates when out of nowhere this big dog ran over growling at us. The dog wasn't on a lead and I couldn't see any sign of the owner/s. Tori started twisting her lead to get away from the dog and began what I can only describe as screeching, she got around the back of my legs still making the horrible noise. With the dogs owners nowhere in sight even with the racket my pup was making I made the quick decision to pick Tori up (risking being bitten as the dog was right in my face at that point) and carry her out of the park. I remembered not to give Tori too much reasurance and once we were a bit away from the gates I put her back down onto the pavement and carried on walking home.
The next days walk was great no problems though I had worried she would fear the walks. Yesterday and today though on the dirt path leading to the park Tori sat her butt down and wouldn't budge. I gave lots of verbal praise pats on the head when I did get her to move but it took maybe 20 minutes to get her to the park when usually it takes 5. Then when we get to the park she stops once again and it takes me 10 minutes to get her to move again, when she stops it's not like she's sniffing around or anything like that she simply won't move. If I can get her to move we continue our walks as normal and she'll be completely fine the way round the park until we get home.
I'm really struggling at the start of every walk though and I'm beginning to dread them. I've tried the excited voice calling her to me, holding a treat out for her and even (though I hate it) giving her lead a gentle tug. It makes me feel like on the first part of the walk I'm dragging her by the lead just so that eventually she'll get the exercise she desperately needs.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions as I just want her to enjoy her walks again.
3 days ago we had just finished a 20 minute walk and were near the parks gates when out of nowhere this big dog ran over growling at us. The dog wasn't on a lead and I couldn't see any sign of the owner/s. Tori started twisting her lead to get away from the dog and began what I can only describe as screeching, she got around the back of my legs still making the horrible noise. With the dogs owners nowhere in sight even with the racket my pup was making I made the quick decision to pick Tori up (risking being bitten as the dog was right in my face at that point) and carry her out of the park. I remembered not to give Tori too much reasurance and once we were a bit away from the gates I put her back down onto the pavement and carried on walking home.
The next days walk was great no problems though I had worried she would fear the walks. Yesterday and today though on the dirt path leading to the park Tori sat her butt down and wouldn't budge. I gave lots of verbal praise pats on the head when I did get her to move but it took maybe 20 minutes to get her to the park when usually it takes 5. Then when we get to the park she stops once again and it takes me 10 minutes to get her to move again, when she stops it's not like she's sniffing around or anything like that she simply won't move. If I can get her to move we continue our walks as normal and she'll be completely fine the way round the park until we get home.
I'm really struggling at the start of every walk though and I'm beginning to dread them. I've tried the excited voice calling her to me, holding a treat out for her and even (though I hate it) giving her lead a gentle tug. It makes me feel like on the first part of the walk I'm dragging her by the lead just so that eventually she'll get the exercise she desperately needs.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions as I just want her to enjoy her walks again.