First walk

Hiya I've just had Ruby out for her first walk. It didn't go well she was scared stiff and was shaking and just laid on the ground and wouldn't move. I tried treats but she wouldn't move. I tried gently pulling but she was having none of it. I'm going to try again later and am hoping if I just take her out for short periods at a time this will gradually build her confidence. Does anyone have any tips for me. Thanks

You are on the right track just take it slow and let her discover the world at her pace. You could also drive her away from the house and walk her someplace new which may help

Ok I'll try that too. Thamks

Angieeee wrote:she was scared stiff and was shaking and just laid on the ground and wouldn't move

I was the same when I first went out in Middlesbrough Just kidding. If you have a yard or a garden try leading her where she's comfortable first and as suggested, gradually move outside the boundaries so it's not too sudden. IMO you should also not comfort her or give her treats when she's shaking and afraid, it re-inforces the wrong behaviour. That's just my own view though, others may disagree.

Bo had a similar thing when he was young. As soon as I put his collar on and tried to attach his lead or - god help us - his harness, he'd sit facing the wall with his ears back shaking like a leaf. I just made out like nothing had happened and after a short while I got him to move outside the gate and lo and behold his fear vanished. Once you get over the first step (figuratively and maybe literally) things should improve rapidly. I remember on the day of Bo's first 'walk' looking outside and being envious of people walking their dogs down the road, thinking, "Why is it that only my dog out of all the dogs in the world refuses to go for a walk?"

Dogface wrote:

Angieeee wrote:she was scared stiff and was shaking and just laid on the ground and wouldn't move

I was the same when I first went out in Middlesbrough"

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Some progress she's been to the end of the drive... then plonked herself down again and wouldn't move! Think she's a southerner

I'd carry her outside and every now and then put her down and just stand, then go where she wants to go.
How old is she now?
Pete.

Thanks Pete she's only 11 weeks today so still very young I'm not too worried I'll just keep popping outside with her. She's getting used to her lead I've kept that on her round the house.

JStaff wrote:You are on the right track just take it slow and let her discover the world at her pace.  You could also drive her away from the house and walk her someplace new which may help

I'd go with that too. If you can drive her somewhere where it's safe to be off lead - don't worry about her running away, she'll stick with you - then do that and just potter around a bit. Puppies can find the whole lead thing quite worrying so if she can be off lead you'll take that out of the equation. I also firmly believe that it's a great way of teaching them to walk with you. Leave it till they're more confident and they're more likely to stray, get in there early and you've got a puppy who learns straight off to keep with you. It works for me, anyway!

Take her somewhere quiet park or country side where there is no traffic and then introduce her to the noises when she is more used to the lead and trusts you to look after her

She'll be fine. Baxter was like that on his first walk.

I'm going to take her further afield today and let her have a run about off the lead.
Thanks everyone.

good luck

When we first got Skye at 12 weeks before she could walk due to injections we would carry her everywhere town, park and school so she could get used to all the noises (not making a fuss of anything)so when it came to her walking she was used to the outside. Maybe try just carrying ruby along the road using the route you normally walk to the park showing her there are great things at the end.

Just a little update..we took her to a nearby field today in the car and she had a good run about and loved it. She walked on her lead back to the car and had some time off lead. There was a massive old dog there and she had a little play with him and a couple of people came over to say hello and she was really excited. She is flat out now. hopefully it will just get easier now and I'll be able to walk her to the field and back soon. Thanks everyone.
Here's a pic of her watching the football...

That's great news. Not only did she enjoy having a run, she's done some socialising and lead work too. The next thing I'd add into the mix is recall. Wait till she looks at you or is coming to you anyway, then call her for a treat. Don't try it if her mind's not coming in your direction anyway as you'll be setting yourself up to fail.

Bet you can't wait for the next run about!

(love her tippy white toes!)

Hey, great stuff

Looks like all the tips are working just fine

I luv her tippy white toes too..she has a natural French manicure which I'm very jealous of....

Glad things are improving