Patience helps skittish dog go outside comfort zone
My 5-year-old female golden retriever is afraid to go for walks. She will walk with me within the confines of my development, but as soon as I head out toward a main road, she stops and won’t budge.
She has always been a bit skittish and afraid of little things. She also refuses if someone other than me tries to take her for a walk. Any suggestions?
— Jeff, Holtsville, New York
Dear Jeff: First, try putting an Anxiety Wrap or Thundershirt on her for her walks. These are anxiety-reducing clothing for dogs that helps them feel more secure. Additionally, consider putting a pheromone collar on her and/or giving her overthe-counter calming chews beforehand to reduce any anxiety.
Next, gradually increase her exposure to new parts of the neighborhood and people. During the walk, offer plenty of praise and treats to reinforce positive behavior and reassure her that she’s doing great. Keep her walks short and familiar; gradually introduce new routes as she becomes more comfortable.
During moments of hesitation or anxiety or meeting new people, stop and take a break. Let her take in the sights and smells of her surroundings because this also helps a dog relax and feel more confident.
When it comes to new people, ask them to stand further away than normal to give her some space. Then, give her treats every 10 to 20 seconds to reward her for being calm. You can let the person come gradually closer as she becomes more comfortable.
After the break, encourage her to sit and reward her with a tasty treat. Praise her and resume your walk. As you do, drop treats in front of her every few steps. This “food encouragement” helps her take small, confidence-building steps without realizing it. Use a high-value treat that she wouldn’t normally get any other time, like cooked chicken or dog jerky.
It’s also important to note any specific triggers contributing to her skittishness. By identifying these triggers, you can work on desensitizing her to them over time by gradually exposing her to new people or environments in a calm and controlled setting.
I know that dealing with a skittish dog can be challenging, but with patience and consistency, you can help her feel more comfortable exploring the outdoors.
Dear Cathy: I read your advice to the lady whose dog would not poop in her yard, and I am writing to suggest an alternative phrase. I always think of my very proper father, who cringed whenever he heard some of the more typical words used to encourage dogs to do their business. I’m not prudish, but I do think about who is around when I might be giving such a command to my dog.
I live in a community with many retired folks, and some are probably slightly offended by the exact words that made my father cringe. An alternative phrase is “get busy.” It is far more polite.
My own Doberman always responds reliably to this command before the lights go out every night. There is a cookie after she “gets busy,” and we both go to bed for a comfortable night’s sleep. Somewhat amusingly, she will squat and produce mere drops if that is all she has at bedtime, but she still gets a cookie for having tried.
Dear Mari: “Get busy” is a polite and considerate word choice so long as it is not something the person would typically say in general conversation. The phrase I generally use is “go potty,” so I’m not sure why I chose “go poop” on that particular day.
But please feel free to adjust any training phrases I suggest to accommodate language, culture or personal preferences, so long as they are limited to one to two words. Pair whatever command chosen with the desired behavior every time, and the dog will eventually learn and understand what the command means. This “get busy” command is something every pet owner should train their dog to do.
It’s always important to be mindful of our surroundings and choose words accordingly, even when communicating with furry friends.