I just got ARES 3 days ago... I want to walk him but everytime I do hes too scared of the environment in my suburban neighborhood.... He only goes when i let him lose in the backyard... but even when i try to walk him with his leash in the back yard... hes still shakes and is afraid... can anyone tell me why??? and how I can fix it???

When diesel was like 3 or 4 months old, I took him to bike week in Daytona FL and he was a bundle of scared nerves, now when he hears a motorcycle he's like "Who's there?" You could try the first couple of times just holding him while you walk around the neighborhood so he knows he's safe in your arms, then in a day or 2 try again with the leash. also you might want to try using the leash around the house and in the back yard to get him used to it.

Good luck! Bogie is the same way. He freezes when I put the leash on. Will not budge. As long as the leash is on he ain't moving. Not even one step. Went out of town for the day today and I stopped for all my pups to take a pee break at pet smart. I carried him to the grass, he just stood. After a couple of minutes he peed. Didn't squat like normal just stood and peed. I carried him back to the car. Thats Bogie. I am gonna try coaxing him with lots of treats with out me holding the leash but have it on him. I have been a lazy bad boy. Should have done this long ago. Like you he has a yard so walking on a leash is not a nesesity. that can't be spelled right. So good luck and keep in touch and we will share success stories if there are any.

Be patient it will take him awhile to get used to his new environment. The best thing you can do is to act calm and matter of fact. He will get used to it. Good Luck !

Put the leash on him in the house, let him drag it around for awhile on his own then start holding it yourself, lots of distractions and treats.
Tank loves tug of war, so I put the leash on then showed him his rope, he was so excited to play he forgot about the leash, now he doesn't care about it at all.

Originally Posted by Foxy

Put the leash on him in the house, let him drag it around for awhile on his own then start holding it yourself, lots of distractions and treats.
Tank loves tug of war, so I put the leash on then showed him his rope, he was so excited to play he forgot about the leash, now he doesn't care about it at all.

He's getting use to his new home and environment. It'll take time so just be patient.

riley was the exact same way. he would basically spread eagle and freeze. you need to be very patient and have some yummy treats. i basically stood on the sidewalk for 10 mins just praising him giving treats and as soon as he took one step i would treat/praise, treat/praise for ever step. took few days of this and then we could walk a full block! our puppy trainer also mentioned (it might seem a little cruel but it works!) that you should just start walking. he might drag for a little (just make sure theres no salt or really rough surface to hurt the paws) and puppy will start following. shes a big believe of the pack mentailty and in the wild the pack leader doesnt wait. hope that helps

Thanks guys... I will try everything I have been told here... the good thing is that hes smart!!!! he learned to sit and come in 3 days!!!! wow. Dog treats are going to be a for sure thing when i walk him from now on...

I thought I answered this already, but I think I must have posted to something very similar. Leash walking and being outside are two different things. I would train him to walk on a leash in an environment he considers safe and separate that from learning outside is a good place. By doing both at once, you're asking a lot out of that baby brain.

Leash Walking:
I am not of the school of dragging a dog on a leash as I've seen too much damage, both physically and psychologically, done to dogs. Also, in the wild, wolves are not tied together by the neck (sorry, I just have a real problem with this). Instead, put the collar or harness (harnesses are now being recommended for walking by many trainers and vets as the collar not only puts a lot of pressure on the neck, it also lies on a pressure point that produces a sharp pain and has been attributed to the development of aggression) and leash on puppy in an area he feels safe. Use some type of lure (food, a target stick, etc.) to get puppy to move. I personally love using the target stick as my back gets sore with little dogs like Bostons Every time puppy moves, give rewards (treats, praise, petting, etc). Start to raise criteria (first rewards for one step, then puppy needs to take two steps, then three, etc). If you raise criteria too quickly, you'll notice the puppy isn't getting it and not moving. This isn't because he is stubborn or slow, you've just asked more than he can understand. Think of it as learning a new language. If you learn two words and then someone asks you a question in the new language, you don't understand what they are asking of you.

New Environment:
I'm a firm believer in making the new place good. Lots and lots of rewards in the new place. Bring familiar things with you. Let the puppy hide behind you if he wants. If puppy ventures out to something strange, call him back and reward him. The idea here is that if he is "brave," he gets rewarded both through treats and going back to the safe zone (you). I find that soon the puppy realizes things are not so scary.

A few things to consider are the facts that, depending on his age, he may be going through a fear period. How old is he? Also, please keep in mind you haven't had him long. In essence, you are a stranger to him. I'm not saying he isn't affectionate or loyal. Rather that you haven't built up your bond yet and he may not always trust you yet. Be patient; he will

Good luck!

Thanks Lissa... hes 14 weeks today...