Written by Denise Herman, Empire of the Dog

Photo by Joseph Brewster

Question:

I just adopted another pit mix last week, Mickey. He is a complete sweetheart.  He is also responsive to training and plays well with my other dog, Candy. The problem is he does not like to go for walks. It's the strangest thing; the dog doesn't seem to care for nature. He just refuses to go forward.  With a treat dangled in front of him he will walk a little bit, but then stop. He does hate mud and water, so that may be part of the problem.  I also know he was on the streets in the Bronx fending for himself for a while until the ACC picked him up, so maybe he associates outside with abandonment.

When we pass other dogs or people on trails he is eager to meet them and gets upset when they walk in the other direction and wants to follow.  I have a feeling he's still looking for whoever abandoned him and that his current behavior is connected to his past.  He also has problems with car rides and often doesn't want to leave the car. While in the house, he responds to everything I ask of him and is respectful.  Mickey just doesn't want to walk and I can only give him so many treats per attempted
walk.  Any advice?
Maggie

Answer:

Maggie, here are a couple of things you can try:
1. Lower your expectations to build a comfort zone for him, which you will gradually expand over the course of weeks or months.
2. Start with happy trips where only he decides where and how far he wants to go. Trips to and from the car all day long might be a good start. At this time you will suspend all other walks for the 'safe' walks where he's the guide.
3. Allow him to flee to safety (porch/car/house) as needed.  You can be diabolical, and move the car further from the house, every several days as he gets comfortable.
4.  Possibly use a long lead, so you and candy can walk further away to encourage him to move out toward you. You may find he darts out and then back, as if unsure - this is ok. Use treats to motivate, but don't force anything.
5.  Scatter the meals outside, albeit close to the house/porch, so that you are chipping away at being outside but with the goodies, and at a low threshold point.
6.  Use the folks walking away as motivators for him to work beyond his comfort zone some, but allow him to retreat back whenever he wants or needs to.
7.  Continue to use high value treats (chicken, liver, turkey) as you can.
8.  Spend time with Mickey and Candy outside in the yard and make sure they have a yummy chew toy or bone for the duration of the stay outside.
9.  Daily use of melatonin may help to take the edge off for him (Speak to your vet for more information regarding this option.)
10.  If you truly are frustrated and don't see improvement, or if you think his quality of life is suffering, then you should have a discussion with the vet about more serious medications that may help him with his fear issues. This may be a Prozac style drug, not a tranquilizer or similar.
11.   Keep up work for food outlets - play and training that is not stress provoking for him, so that you can keep as many happy chemicals/neurons firing in the absence of 'happy' walk times.

Hope that helps,

Denise Herman