[yakkwak]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Walking On The Leash:

The brain develops an understanding of fear anywhere from 7 - 10 weeks of age and she could be understanding fear. Outside can be an intimidating place with all of the sounds and sights and scents and big cars, trucks, the knowledge there are other dogs, critters out there nearby. No wonder she is acting reluctant. Most puppies are with their mom during this imprinting time when the brain is beginning to develop the knowledge of various things and mom helps the baby learn a healthy way to deal with fear rather than a scary experience outdoors.

When the vet clears her for going outside, re-introduce her to the outside with her in your arms and just walk out and back in, giving her a treat as you stop and stand still for a second or two. Keep repeating that and then take her out in a carrier she feels safe in, put it down and toss in treats and back inside. Keep repeating that for a time.

In the meantime, toss treats and toys all over her leash in the floor and allow her to eat off it and play on it. Keep it around when she is having fun. Leash her up and walk around the house and treat her as she walks ever so often.

After she's settled and doing well when you take her out in your arms or carrier, leash her up and toss some treats on the porch and allow her to walk out onto the porch and have her treats, look around and then back in. Keep doing that for a day or two and then graduate to tossing treats or toys on the sidewalk and walk her to them and allow her to eat, play, etc., walk around that area and then back inside. Keep tossing a couple treats/toys out further on the sidewalk and walk her to them, wait there a bit and back inside. See the pattern? Each time push her a little further little by little and then back inside where she's not afraid and over time, she will begin to accept this is just part of life and not so scary.

Ditto, ditto, ditto.