Solo Walking - help needed

[SaddlePsych'D]

We moved house 2 months ago. Ivy has settled in to the new house quite well. Walks were going seemingly okay although she was understandably a bit jumpy in busier places so we avoided those and tried to stick to quiet regular routes. It's unravelled quite quickly and now we're at a point where she will go out tbe front door and across the street but then wants to come back.

OH works away from home 4 days per week so was home over the weekend. We took Ivy out together early morning for the cooler temperature and less people around, and she was fine. A bit alert in places (possibly 'cat patrol' and sometimes if a bicycle came past) but came home relaxed and tired out rather than coming back wound up. I've gone to do the same this morning by myself and it's like she's never been out before, back to wanting to come straight home.

She has been like this for OH too so I feel like it's not me but I'm obviously not managing to do what she needs. She has phases like this when we first had her but we could usually overcome them with treats or carrying her a short way to get past scary bits. I've been mixing it up with driving to local park which she enjoys but that's not going to be practical in winter. We really do need to be able to walk from home! I'm working on finding walking buddies but can't rely on that all the time and that was more with the idea of going to meet people for walks not them come to our house.

Help!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

When OH is back, can you get him to drop you and Ivy off by car, to walk home quietly?

Do you have high value treats you can use for encouragement?
Giving yourself a target place to aim for, or perhaps (a horse version) or go out 20 yards, return, repeat to 25 yards etc?
Am sure the likes of CC will be along with good advice soon x

 

[twiggy2]

When you are both home maybe try one of you leaving first and waiting just up the Road for Ivy to find, hopefully making a positive association for her.
She will know you are both home so you could also try meeting other half up the road before he comes home so she can find him.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

When OH is back, can you get him to drop you and Ivy off by car, to walk home quietly?

Do you have high value treats you can use for encouragement?
Giving yourself a target place to aim for, or perhaps (a horse version) or go out 20 yards, return, repeat to 25 yards etc?
Am sure the likes of CC will be along with good advice soon x

That's a good idea. I tried a version of this driving her myself a few streets over then trying to walk home but she wouldn't get out of the car! If we go to the park where she will get out of the car that would be better. When we do go to the park I've started parking round the corner so we have a street to walk up to get home.

I've always got treats on me of various value. Unfortunately she's rarely interested in them when she's like this (worried mode). We did just buy a pack of sprats which I forgot about so I will try again with those as they're a favourite.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

When you are both home maybe try one of you leaving first and waiting just up the Road for Ivy to find, hopefully making a positive association for her.
She will know you are both home so you could also try meeting other half up the road before he comes home so she can find him.

We'll try this when he gets home this week. ?

 

[Roxylola]

Can you just go out and hang out a bit? Like literally outside the front door if you need to. Do you play any sort of training games in the house? Just sit to down to sit, or stand sit stand, or just ask her to watch or something - make eye contact basically.
Stand outside and play stuff like that, she can do without walks for a bit assuming you've got somewhere she can go toilet for now

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Can you just go out and hang out a bit? Like literally outside the front door if you need to. Do you play any sort of training games in the house? Just sit to down to sit, or stand sit stand, or just ask her to watch or something - make eye contact basically.
Stand outside and play stuff like that, she can do without walks for a bit assuming you've got somewhere she can go toilet for now

We did some hanging out on the doorstep in our front garden as she had at one point stopped even going out the front door. I can do some more of that though.

She doesn't have a sit and down is a bit tricky on hard ground but she does have a watch or sometimes I try just getting her attention with her name when she's distracted.

The sprats helped. She trotted down the street with me and round the corner before suddenly going 'oh hell no!' and engaging reverse gear. I brought her to a slightly less scary bit of pavement and asked her to wait (another game we try to do on walks at each pavement edge to get her attention) to avoid us just rushing straight back. Next time I will just go to the corner of our street as thinking it will undo the positive sprat based association if we go too far too quickly.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Has someone locally started using one of those dog scarer things that make the annoying noise?

 

[Roxylola]

Absolutely right not to go further than she's comfortable with for now.

 

[pistolpete]

Oh bless her. What sort of dog is she? My lurcher plants sometimes and greyhounds are known for it too. Gently gently with loads of food rewards is only way. Once she’s into overwhelm she’s will stop learning and just revert to old behaviour. New neural pathways required. Do you have enough garden that you can leave the walking for a few days and just play with her outside for exercise? Hide food a digging area. Fetch, lure pole?

 

[Clarabel]

That's a good idea. I tried a version of this driving her myself a few streets over then trying to walk home but she wouldn't get out of the car! If we go to the park where she will get out of the car that would be better. When we do go to the park I've started parking round the corner so we have a street to walk up to get home.

I've always got treats on me of various value. Unfortunately she's rarely interested in them when she's like this (worried mode). We did just buy a pack of sprats which I forgot about so I will try again with those as they're a favourite.

My daughters dog used to freak out on lead after leaving his house and we found out somebody was using a cat scarer . A rottie going loopy is no fun.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Oh bless her. What sort of dog is she? My lurcher plants sometimes and greyhounds are known for it too. Gently gently with loads of food rewards is only way. Once she’s into overwhelm she’s will stop learning and just revert to old behaviour. New neural pathways required. Do you have enough garden that you can leave the walking for a few days and just play with her outside for exercise? Hide food a digging area. Fetch, lure pole?

Greyhound!

We have a very small garden but we can do indoor/outdoor hide and seek/sniffari. Yesterday she got unusually playful with her toys in an interactive way to get me to join in. She hasn't really done that before so it was a joy to be able to engage with her like that. She had a good zoom about the downstairs of the house and tired herself out!

I haven't noticed any cat/dog scarer things. Where we used to live we did pass one quite often and it didn't seem to bother her, although I found it annoying!

I think we made an error when we first moved because she seemed to be doing so well but we underestimated how many sounds and smells she must be detecting that we can't. She had a big scare with a firework going off right over her and OH however the stopping walking completely didn't start from there. Maybe it's things all stacking up and now it all feels too much for her.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Interesting walk this eve. I went with intention of hanging outside by front door. I gave her a bit more lead so she could step out onto pavement if she wanted. Which she did and then wanted to go across the street but then back to the front garden so we did. Then we did a couple of loops like that. Then she wanted to go a slightly different way across the street and back. So I just basically let her take me for a walk, with a sprat every time we got moving away from home.

I only meant to go in the front garden, we ended up a couple of streets over with Ivy deciding the route. Slightly worrying when she took me down a dead end street (one I've never been down let alone her!) and got a bit stuck in it because of some people behind us until they went away. Thankfully she was on board with my idea to come home again as it was nice she was exploring but I didn't want to push our luck. Spent a bit more time in the front garden instead of dashing in. She got a bit worried by some people passing but she is also quite nosy! So we watched them go by then went in. Brave pup!

 

[SusieT]

I'd get a trainer involved - often they can pick up on things we are missing with our dogs while being an impartial advisor.
It can be so frustrating when they panic as you don't know why they are fearful but most of the time positive reinforcement can bring them round. Different harness/lead set ups can also help.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

I'd get a trainer involved - often they can pick up on things we are missing with our dogs while being an impartial advisor.
It can be so frustrating when they panic as you don't know why they are fearful but most of the time positive reinforcement can bring them round. Different harness/lead set ups can also help.

I have been thinking about this. Feels a bit overwhelming to be honest, in terms of finding someone who is going to be able to help. I will start looking more seriously at options locally and if we're still not getting anywhere will make contact. If we had other concerns about her behaviour I think we would have taken the plunge before but she's otherwise doing well and I've been able to get around it to make sure she gets walks at the park/quieter green spaces and off lead time at the secure field.

I was quite surprised by her curiosity this evening so will try again slowly slowly tomorrow, on her terms to see if it helps. It made me feel a bit hopeful we'll navigate through this. Just need to not get ahead of myself again and set her back with too much too soon.

I have been meaning to get her a new harness for a while so perhaps now is the time to get on the case with that.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Further interesting development. Went out with same intention as last night, just to go out to front garden and maybe bimble across the street and back. Started a bit hesitant in the middle of our road and then Ivy took me for a walk to one of our local green spaces (not the big park I drive to). Same route as OH and I did with her over the weekend. No deviations, on a mission (although calmed down a bit after pee and poo), all the way there, do not pass go, do not collect 200. I meant to be out the front of our house for 10 mins or so but I think we were out 30-40 mins.

She had a couple of spooky moments but carried on quite determined to go that route, deeply unhappy with any of my suggestions that we make a turn for home in case it was too far too soon! I guess she felt more confident because she can remember doing the route with OH and me which made her feel more confident before?

I did have to pick her up a couple of times. Once felt like a difference of opinion about leaving the green space rather than her being frightened, the other she was a bit worried/stuck so I carried her to the next corner, we had a little moment of contemplation and then she went 'oh alright then' and we walked all the way home. Thankfully by this point she was open to my suggestion of a route back home!

Again don't want to get ahead of myself so will go again this eve with expectations that she might not be up for that again but...wow. And also...why?!

 

[Roxylola]

Why? I'd bet some of it comes from you changing your thinking tbh.
With regard to picking her up, is it possible to maybe just get down and give her a cuddle (assuming that reassures her) or possibly pick her up cuddle, feel her relax then pop down and either walk or go back for a cuddle if she panics rather than carry her?
Obviously if you're not in a safe place to wait her out carrying is better than being stuck in the middle of a road though

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Why? I'd bet some of it comes from you changing your thinking tbh.
With regard to picking her up, is it possible to maybe just get down and give her a cuddle (assuming that reassures her) or possibly pick her up cuddle, feel her relax then pop down and either walk or go back for a cuddle if she panics rather than carry her?
Obviously if you're not in a safe place to wait her out carrying is better than being stuck in the middle of a road though

I will try the cuddling instead to see if that helps. I know the picking her up isn't ideal. For a start she's put on some weight since we first had her so it's harder to do now! When we first had her we picked her up quite a bit as we were often getting stuck in roads or unable to get home, but it did stop happening fairly quickly so I don't see it becoming a long term/permanent thing. If we can find a way to not do it at all this time then even better.

I am thinking (and feeling) differently. The thread on human to dog emotions gave me a lot to reflect on. I knew I'd messed up with her anyway, the thread made me reflect on changing me not trying to just change Ivy.

 

[splashgirl45]

Well done for your progress. The other thing I thought of was if she likes the car park a little way up the road so she can see it and walk her to it and get in them drive to the places she is happy to walk. If OH is around the car could be taken a bit further each time so she ends up wanting to go out for her walk

 

[pistolpete]

Lovely progress. Absolute dogs might be worth a look for training tips. Really good positive reinforcement. Games based training.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Well done for your progress. The other thing I thought of was if she likes the car park a little way up the road so she can see it and walk her to it and get in them drive to the places she is happy to walk. If OH is around the car could be taken a bit further each time so she ends up wanting to go out for her walk

That could work. When she didn't want to come out of the house at all, the clunk of the car unlocking would get her out and she would hop straight in. She definitely has a good association with getting in the car.

Lovely progress. Absolute dogs might be worth a look for training tips. Really good positive reinforcement. Games based training.

I must look into this. A friend recommended it after doing what sounds like great work with their rescue dog.

Our walk/going out the front door this evening may be scuppered, but mostly because of the rain. I quite like a rainy walk, Ivy not so much!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Evening walk attempted. She was on her mission to the green space again but I did insist on a much earlier turn for home. In part because there's no way I'm going in there in the dark but I'm also holding in mind we're supposed to be taking our time so she doesn't get overwhelmed again! Thankfully she was more open to my suggested route and she did get to sniff about a bit in a pocket park instead.

After dark wasn't ideal as it's prime cat patrol time so will avoid this tomorrow. Plus OH is back early tomorrow so maybe we can try one of the ideas in the thread and see about adding another (shorter) walk route for her to feel confident about.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Some steps forwards, some steps back (quite literally!) It's a bit hit and miss whether we make it off our street but just rolling with it for now. When she does want to go it is very much a mission to the big green space. This morning she had a good long walk there and walked out with basically not hesitation apart from one bit which was more of a difference of opinion about going back in to the green space instead of home!

This evening we spent time hanging out on our street. She was okay to go out but was wandering part way up the street then back to the front garden. Previously she's done this and then gone 'okay I'm ready for a walk now' and off we've gone so I just let her wander. It seemed like we were getting pretty stuck this time though so instead of trying to persuade her to move too far forward just worked on standing still instead of keep backing up. The 'game' was to move towards me and stay by me instead of engaging reverse gear and pulling me (I guess like a pressure/release thing). This seemed to help, she focused more on me and relaxed a bit. We were out there for a while and eventually managed to get out of the street and round the block. Once we got past a certain point she seemed to find it much much easier. Lots of praise and rewards, round the block again for luck and then home. She's still looking unsure but not panicking so much and sometimes even looking much more relaxed (even floppy/bouncy ears which I think are a very good sign, instead of pinned or permanent bat man looking).

Tomorrow we're going out in the car which she really likes so I might move it and then we can go play find the car!

 

[splashgirl45]

you are doing really well, she is improving so you must be doing something right. good luck tomorrow

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

you are doing really well, she is improving so you must be doing something right. good luck tomorrow

Thank you, it's quite a bit of trial and error (aka learning from mistakes!) I feel quite guilty for taking the house move for granted and not tuning in to her sooner when she started to say 'too much!' but at least we're more hopeful now that with some patience and a bucketload of sprats she'll gain her confidence and happiness back. Seeing her ears bounce on our big walk this morning brought so much joy ?

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Backward step today. I wish I could work out what makes the difference to her. Managed to get around the block a few times this morning. Reluctant to leave our street but once she did we did three laps easily. I've been hand feeding her more to try to make it more rewarding when we're outside and help her focus on me. Progress wasn't linear when we first had her so I know we'll move forwards again. Just disheartening after seeing her seemingly do a bit better and genuinely be more relaxed. ?

 

[AmyMay]

You’re doing brilliantly xx

 

[Dexter]

Can you go on different walks rather than laps of the block? Its probably quite boring for her, so less incentive to want to go.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Can you go on different walks rather than laps of the block? Its probably quite boring for her, so less incentive to want to go.

We do mix them up and drive out to the park or other green spaces but working on walking from home too. Sometimes she has been taking charge to walk to one of our local green spaces which she loves sniffing round but currently struggling to get off our street. Round the block isn't too exciting but we take lots of treats to try to make it more enjoyable and there's a pocket park we can go in when there's no one in there. It feels a bit of a dilemma as I thought boring might help her not feel so overwhelmed. Frustratingly it seems like once we're off the street we're mostly fine. It's just getting there without carrying her.

 

[Dexter]

Can you drive her off the street for a month or so, while walking without planting becomes a habit?