Terrified to take walks!!

[A Sheltie's Smile]

I'm having a really hard time trying to get my 4 month old puppy to go on walks. He is scared of cars that pass by and generally doesn't like leaving my yard. My last sheltie loved going on walks so I was hoping to be able to enjoy walks with this sheltie as well. Is there something I can do to make him stop freaking out when a car passes by or even just coax him to leave our yard?

[LisaM77]

I reckon take him in the car to a quiet park so he can experience part of the big wide world but not have to face the cars yet. That alone should help to develop his confidence. Build on that with visits to other places - different parks, any rivers/lakes/beaches you have nearby, friends houses. Puppies do go through a couple of fear stages - he might be nearing the end of his first one. Moose just went through his second one. I'd expected it but it was a little bit worrying having never seen him lacking in confidence before.

If you want to give the little guy extra freedom without worrying yourself when you take him to the park (to let him explore), get him a longline - great for teaching recall without the fear he will bolt too. 10m is perfect, and if he does bolt it's easier to chase the lead than the pooch!

[A Sheltie's Smile]

That's a great idea thanks so much I'll give it a shot I shoulda known to take baby steps with him, it's just been 14 years since I had a puppy, I guess I kinda forgot the small stuff, though I was only 7 when I had my first sheltie so the bigger responsibilities were over looked by me!

[Jaynie]

I'm also having to deal with this, but in an adult Sheltie. It takes time and a LOT of patience!

My Bela started out a couple of months ago being afraid of everything. She spent the first five years of her life in a small cage as a puppy mill mama. When I brought her home from her foster mom's, the only thing she knew was her house training (which is surprisingly rock solid). She'd had absolutely no experience in being a house dog - in consequence, she was afraid of everything, but especially noises.

It's taken a while, but I've noted what most disturbs her when walking outside: lawn mowers, dogs barking in the distance, construction noises, loud ATVs and motorcycles, garage door openers, and probably a whole slew of other things.

I had to begin by almost literally dragging her down the street. After a couple of days, she began to trust me enough to walk slowly down the street if it's generally quiet. We live in a fairly rural area, but in a large development with lots of neighbors, so it tends to be a little noisy. Most of the neighbors are at work during the mid-day, so that's when we walk down to the horse farm at the end of the road. But if there happens to be anything too loud, I still have to either carry her (and she's a little to heavy for me with my spine problems) or walk REALLY FAST back to the house.

A Thundershirt has really helped out a lot with some of her fearfulness, but in the 100+ degree weather we've been having, it's just too hot to put a tight little jacket on her just to go on a wallk.