My Dog Won't Walk for Me
We have an 8 year old male Old English Sheepdog and for the last couple of years he has gradually been refusing to walk with me when I am on my own and has got to the point now where he very rarely will walk with me when I am on my own. If I am with my boyfriend which has to be every walk now he is fine and has a lovely time and then sometimes we will get to the park when I am on my own and he will jump out the car and have a good play like there isn't a problem at all. There is no pattern to this either, I can have one day where he just sits in the back of the car and refuses to get out, then the next day when everything is the same (park empty, weather the same, same time of day) he will just out and play fine. He has never been attacked or bitten. I get the feeling he doesn't feel safe with me and feels he needs to protect me. If for example my boyfriend even slightly raises his voice or is doing some weights the dog jumps straight up and lies on top of me as if he thinks he needs to protect me for no reason. A couple of years ago when all this started there used to be some bangs on his walk coming from the air port which he was scared of so we are not sure if this is anything to do with it. We have taken him to the vet and they have said he is fit and healthy. Any help would be really appreciated, we have had a behaviour therapist out and followed what she said for a good year now but it doesn’t really seem to have improved things. Thanks for any help, Charmaine  |
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| I think you are right, he's not respecting you as a leader. From the moment you even think about a walk, you are probably projecting female human actions and emotions instead of dog leader actions....no emotions. You talk too much, you expect him to do a party dance when you get the leash, etc.
You put yourself in the "I am the general.....I give one order and expect full compliance. I don't yell or drag, one good sideways correction with the leash will be enough. Of course I know the collar must go up higher behind the ears, not down on the neck." You stand up straight and fully expect him to be beside you. Your carriage, you actions tell him you are in charge. Your boyfriend does that automatically which is why your sheepie follows him without thought. When you can project an assertive, calm and in charge attitude then sheepie will follow. |
| Hi there
Thanks for the reply I know the reason behind this behaviour is because he doesnt respect me as a leader but then again i dont act like a leader. I have always been soft with doodles i always make a fuss of him and he knows i am the soft one. He follows me round like a sheep everywhere aswell and if he feels i am scared or a loud noise goes off he comes over and sits right next to me as though he is protecting me. I am not confident when i am out on walks with him and i guess this is being projected onto doodles therefore making him nervous to be out on a walk with me. I am at a bit of a loss at to what to do and in what ways can i act like a leader? Please help! |
| I think yu said it - ACT like you are confident and he will accept it more. Pick up the leash and expect him to follow as you walk with some purpose. |
| You up for purchasing a DVD?
Cesar Milan Mastering Leadership.........go to Amazon.com, it's $37.49 plus shipping right now. [Here's a link: Cesar Millan's Mastering Leadership - Volumes 1-3 -Ron] Many don't like Cesar, but he's right on about being confident and being your dog's leader. It begins before you even grab the leash, it's how you behave around the dog. You can probably find Cesar Milan's books in the library if you'd rather go that route, but seeing him quickly adjust people in their carriage, attitude, etc and how quickly the dog begins responding is amazing. |
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