Blitz hates walking?!?!

[LucyA]

Sorry guys, I know I seem to be starting a new thread every 10 mins right now, its just so daunting having a puppy, I feel like a first time mother!!

Blitz will come so far up to the door for a walk, then just sits, we have to physically lift him to get him outside and not put him down until the door is closed. We have a fight to get him out of the garden but generally once we are past the gate he walks quite well. Why is he so against walking?

Another thing, you may tell me this is good, I am not sure...
I took Blitz to a local field yesterday, the field is gated and shut behind each walker so he was off the lead, despite the freedom he walked on my feet. The only way I could keep him from tripping me was darting in different directions, letting him catch up then darting in another.

He doesn't pull or drag on the lead, he is rather wonderful, I am just wondering why he doesn't remember our last walkies and want to go outside with me.

I've never known a dog not want to walk, I felt absolutely deflated this morning after getting up at 5am especially only for Blitz to be even less excited than I was to be up at that time.

He hates cars, although he has got better, his first walk he just sat down and shivered everytime one passed, now he winces a bit but doesn't stop.

Is it fear?

Sorry for the long post, I am a worry wart!!

L+B

[Bonniesmummy]

Originally Posted by LucyA

Sorry guys, I know I seem to be starting a new thread every 10 mins right now, its just so daunting having a puppy, I feel like a first time mother!!

Blitz will come so far up to the door for a walk, then just sits, we have to physically lift him to get him outside and not put him down until the door is closed. We have a fight to get him out of the garden but generally once we are past the gate he walks quite well. Why is he so against walking?

Another thing, you may tell me this is good, I am not sure...
I took Blitz to a local field yesterday, the field is gated and shut behind each walker so he was off the lead, despite the freedom he walked on my feet. The only way I could keep him from tripping me was darting in different directions, letting him catch up then darting in another.

He doesn't pull or drag on the lead, he is rather wonderful, I am just wondering why he doesn't remember our last walkies and want to go outside with me.

I've never known a dog not want to walk, I felt absolutely deflated this morning after getting up at 5am especially only for Blitz to be even less excited than I was to be up at that time.

He hates cars, although he has got better, his first walk he just sat down and shivered everytime one passed, now he winces a bit but doesn't stop.

Is it fear?

Sorry for the long post, I am a worry wart!!

L+B

Lucy don't worry start as many threads as you need to... That's what we are here for x

He might just be a bit overwhelmed by the big bad world now that he is getting out for walks, I wouldn't lift him though.. I'd encourage him to walk out on his own.... Lure with a treat maybe???

Bonnie stayed by me too, it's scary for them at 1st and GSDs don't want to be too far from their owners don't worry... You will soon be saying he won't cone back lol

Cars are scary, just sit with him watching cars and treating when he is good and gradually move closer to the edge of the road till he is used to it

Xxx

Probably too overwhelming for him. Just stay with what he can cope with and don't force it. Lots of play, short sessions to distract him. Look for signs he's had enough and getting a bit stressed - yawning, panting licking his lips are all calming signals dogs use.

Also a lot depends on how exposed he was to noise / outdoor stuff when he was a tiny pup, before you had him. Were the parents nervy etc.

[LucyA]

Originally Posted by Bonniesmummy

Lucy don't worry start as many threads as you need to... That's what we are here for x

Thanks Audrey

I will try the treat lure later!! I am shocked I haven't thought of that one! Duh!! hehe

It is nice he stays so close I suppose, it shows he is growing to be as bonded to me as I am to him. I am having a nightmare at the moment as I am going away Fri-Sun. OH is staying home with pup but I am getting myself into a panic thinking about leaving him. It's unavoidable as my Dad lives abroad and I haven't seen him in a long time so its a catch up trip but I keep thinking, what if OH doesn't walk him far enough, or too far, or doesn't feed him as I would, or doesn't give him as many cuddles!! I'm being daft as ofcourse looking after Blitz is a two man job but I can't bear it lol.

He is getting better with the cars so hopefully soon they will be ignorable for him, I hate to see him stressed
x


Thanks Anni - he did do a lot better when he was at the nature place on Sat probably due to the lack of traffic and general life - I am sure he will show none of the above on our walk with you!! Just to show me up
x

[Bonniesmummy]

Gosh your doing better than I did.... Bonnie was gone from the house with the OH for a few HOURS and I was on here cracking up!! Lol talk about separation anxiety

You are doing everything right with him so far, trust your instincts and you will do fine xxx

[LOVEGSD]

He's young and the outside world is a scary place so makes the most of him walking at your feet cos that will change

I would just use lots of praise and encouragement when you walk out the door....xx

[GobbySchäferhund]

Im sure your OH is aware of what responsabilies he has when you go away, its not worth the roasting when you get back if not

Im sure all will be fine, and the advice above is good and i cannot add anything else to it.

Don't worry to much you are only a phone call away

[LucyA]

lol, I know Liam, it's just the OH is not really taking the pup responsibility as well as I am, which I don't mind at all as it means I have been able to walk Blitz alone a bit which I love, I am quite possessive of him anyway lol, I like to be there for everything. He is very lazy with the toilet training too and has less patience than me, I am sure they will be fine for just 3 days. I told OH that if Blitz pines for me I don't want to know until I get back, I'd crack and be on the first flight home! lol

Thanks all for advice x

[GobbySchäferhund]

Originally Posted by LucyA

lol, I know Liam, it's just the OH is not really taking the pup responsibility as well as I am, which I don't mind at all as it means I have been able to walk Blitz alone a bit which I love, I am quite possessive of him anyway lol, I like to be there for everything. He is very lazy with the toilet training too and has less patience than me, I am sure they will be fine for just 3 days. I told OH that if Blitz pines for me I don't want to know until I get back, I'd crack and be on the first flight home! lol

Thanks all for advice x

Ok no probs and don't worry about starting new threads all the time, keeps me busy when i get bored at work ,keep them coming everyone is always happy to help....

[Stuart]

He feels safe with you, he feels comfortable where you are, this is why he is walking on your feet, they all do it,...once he becomes more accustomed to his new world he will not stay as close to you.

Its the same when he goes out,..his world is you and your home, he feels safe in the `den`,.. if you try to take him out he is reluctant to want to go,... when he is forced out, he has no choice but to stay as close to you as possible for safety sake

You have probably seen the very same thing with animals on the telly, many young need to be pushed outside, and once they are there they are too fearfull to move from mum,...its all natural