Walking issues
 

Hi, I haven't been on here in quite awhile, its been 2 years today actually that Bentley came home to live with us. Our lives have changed for sure pretty much for the better but he still has some issues.
The main problem is walking on the leash, sometime ago some big dogs jumped up from behind a fence and scared him to death. Since that happened we can't walk past that house without him freaking out, pulling , crying, whimpering. I try to reassure him and keep him on a tight leash but it hasn't helped. The only way we can get past the house is if we cross to the other side of the street, then he isn't as freaked but still anxious. We have to pass by the house when we go for a walk there is no other way.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Brenda N Ben:animal36

What if you held him while you were passing the house and talked to him and petted him and put him down after you were safely out of range? Just a thought or maybe if you talked to your vet's office. One of the persons working in the clinic might be able to offer some help if not the vet himself. Hope you get a good answer to this problem for your puppy's sake.

Possibly put him into a sit stay until he calms down?

I think the sit stay is a good one, because its worked for me. I live in a development with a lot of houses and dogs around..and cars coming and going. Its odd because Sunni has been coming into the city with me since I got her, and walks perfectly fine, with all the noise, people and other dogs…but at home a few weeks ago, she started to get scared when cars were coming or going and would just freeze. So, when she did that I'd say good girl, sit..stay (lol) and make it sound like that was my plan..then simply say, ok..lets go. And start walking again. She's much better. I think it does help having my older dog with us, who loves loves loves his walks. So Sunni picks up on his excitement about it. I don't think it would work if I picked her up every time a car passes, or a dog she's unfamiliar with because she won't ever get a chance to get over her fear. She's already very attached to me..even in the puppy training class..she learns everything right away. But when she's off leash, even though they are all little dogs, she still has to come back to me way more then the other dogs seem to. The trainer said that we are going to start working on separation anxiety issues next week. I didn't know it was an "issue" ..lol, I thought it was cute:rolleyes: