Scared While Walking

[thomas]

Hi, everyone
I have a 14 month female boxer/pit mix. She was a rescue, we got her at about 8 wks old. She was found tied to a tree with her mom and siblings. No real complaints. She listens, not aggressive. We have strict rules, she is not allowed on the beds or sofas. She has a nice crate with padding and toys etc... It did take her about 4 months to walk on a leash, I'd have to pull her. I never hit the dog but sometimes when I try to put on the collar she drops to the ground and flinches her eyes. She is has been socialized with the kids from my childrens public school. She is sometimes skeptical but warms up after a few minutes. However when we pass by the Yeshiva in our neighborhood, she is terrified by that group of 7 year old girls. They have taunted her from day 1 screaming loudly and acting foolish. She is also scared of crowds, and cars. I do not know how to boost her confidence. The only thing that would work is if I carry a stick or toy and play with her as we walk to distract her. It is a little uncomfortable to have this 65 pound dog running away from a pack of 6, 7 year olds.

At home she is very confident, strangers are watched closely, when someone knocks she barks and intensly runs to the door.

Thanks any ideas/

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

Hi Thomas,

Good info! If your girl is charging the door in the house when you are present and awake - and also shying away from people you are passing on walks - I would say that it is strong evidence that the dog is confused about who should be doing the worrying and calling the shots.

Troubleshoot by making sure your pack structure exercises are ROCK SOLID - especially the rule about who is doing the initiating in the relationship (particularly affection). So it is clear to her and there are no mixed signals that you want the job.

Then, work on a simple place or even a "climb" to direct her to whenever somone is at the door and keep her there until she is calm. Do these drills first without an actual person at the door and then do the knocking or ringing yourself to get her ready. On the walks teach her a formal "heel" and be sure to have her walk BEHIND you. A no pull harness might be a good tool to start with.

Give her special treats and praise when you pass these situations and remain nice and calm.

If any step is difficult remain patient and practice in easier situations and work your way up.

Guiding her is key here.

Hope this helps.

[thomas]

Thanks,

I never really thought that when she rushes to the door it may be something negative. I always took a kind of pride like "hey my dog is ready to protect my family". But linking your videos with your statement I can start to understand. I see the dogs have there "place" and only act when told. So, when someone knocks on the door as she rushes should I stop that behavior and have her stay back, until I allow her to approach the door. I know this would be very easy it never takes anything more than a normal/firm tone of "psst" and she stops dead in her tracks.

I am guilty of encouraging the behavior [ I know I will sound like a typical fool that you probably roll your eyes at] at times she would stay back and bark and I would say "who's that, go get it" [yes sometimes for kicks and laughs] and then she rushes the door. But I can admit guilt with the hopes of learning that's why I joined this website. I do want the all around good dog, and she is. She is great with my family and friends, doesn't beg, doesn't bark needlessly, great off leash never goes astray, good with other dogs but always submits at a dog run she rolls right on her back and lets the other dogs claim dominance [sometimes a little awkward, but its better than breaking up a dog fight]

We started very strict with her I think the right way. We took bits and pieces from different books, a class at North Shore, and yes the Ceaser Milan show I won't lie. She enters the home after everyone else, she sits and patiently waits, she sits and waits for her food and gets it when I give her the command, no sofas, no beds only her nicely padded crate, she is not food aggressive I still occasionally send my four year old to pull her bowl mid meal, she just looks up like "please give it back"

Sorry to ramble, I just wanted to let you know how she was trained and how she acts. Thanks again, great site overall by the way.