Welcome to our “Detraining Your Pet” series, where we help you “detrain” your pet from those naughty or boring bad habits and get them back to being the best boys and girls.
For most dogs, the walk is the highlight of their day. As soon as you grab their leash, the zoomies begin, barking excitedly or pacing in anticipation at the front door. But for other dogs, the sight of their leash sends shivers down their spines, sometimes literally.
Anxiety during walks can be triggered by many different things and it can create a scary situation for you and your dog. They may try to run away if they get anxious, and you certainly don’t want your four-legged friend getting lost or injured if they slip out of their collar or harness. Here are some tips on how to free your dog from anxious walks and help him become a confident, carefree explorer of the great outdoors.
Dogs are scared too
Just like humans, dogs can develop fears for many reasons. A traumatic past experience, for example, or a genetic predisposition to be a little more “skittish” than other dogs can fear almost anything. For many dogs, their fears can be traced to insufficient socialization early in life. It highlights why during the first 12 to 16 weeks of a dog’s life (the socialization period) it is important to allow them to experience the world – visit as many people, pets and places as you can and let them deal with different situations they are likely to encounter later in life.
Signs of Anxiety in Dogs
How do you know your dog is anxious about walking? Refusing to walk further and trying to pull you the other way are good signs that your dog is worried about something during your walk. But here are some other signs of anxiety to watch out for.
What is your dog worried about?
The first step to helping your dog overcome his walking anxiety is to try to figure out what makes him feel that way. Is there an object that scares them? Don’t they like meeting people or other dogs? Are you passing something noisy? Think about where your dog is showing signs of anxiety and what was around you at the time.
Also consider your dog’s past experiences. Has anything happened on a previous walk that was traumatic for them? They may associate a certain area or smell with this stressful experience. If you adopted your dog from a shelter, you may not know anything about his past experiences, which can make it a little tricky to determine his trigger. If you recently adopted your dog, you can ask the shelter staff if they have any information about your dog’s background and if they know of any reason your dog is anxious on walks. Keep in mind that a dog that has been abused in the past may have multiple triggers for anxiety, not just when walking.
Avoid triggers
Once you know, or at least have an idea of what your dog’s anxiety trigger is, the easiest thing to do is to avoid it (if possible). If they become anxious in a noisy part of town, find an alternate walking route. If people or other dogs approach them, cross to the other side of the street, walk in quiet places, and avoid dog parks. Start with short walks that avoid their trigger(s), then gradually increase the duration so your dog can become more comfortable with walking. Sticking to the same route and walking at the same time each day can also help keep your dog calmer because he knows what to expect.
Of course, sometimes it’s not possible to avoid the trigger, for example when it’s the leash that’s bothering them or something in front of your house. If you can’t avoid the trigger, you can try training them to feel better about the stressor. Your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist can help you develop a training plan to help them manage their anxiety.
Lots of praise and awards
If you’ve found a way to avoid your dog’s trigger while you walk, it’s still important to encourage him to make walks a happy and enjoyable experience. Giving them high-value treats before, during, and after their walk can help them forget their anxiety and remind them that walks are a good thing. And don’t forget to constantly tell them what a great job they are doing!
Anxiety can keep dogs (and people) from eating, so if they aren’t interested in high-value treats, try something they can lick off, like peanut butter, instead. Licking is soothing to dogs, so they may find it more soothing – and they get a treat too.
You can also try synthetic pheromone products that release calming pheromones to help dogs feel calmer. They are available as edible treats, or there are also collars that release calming pheromones.
keep calm and walk
While you are working on managing your dog’s anxiety, you should also check your anxiety levels. If your dog’s anxiety has turned him into a Houdini and he’s constantly slipping off his collar or leash while you’re away, it’s understandable that you might also be anxious about going for a walk. Or you might just be worried in general about how your dog is feeling, and that worry turns into anxiety, stress, or worry for you.
Research has shown that anxious dog owners can make their dogs more nervous. So it’s important that you stay upbeat and positive about the walk to help your dog feel good too. If you’re worried they’ll run away, attach the leash to their collar and harness and make sure they’re microchipped so you can be contacted if they slip their collar.
Walking has many benefits for you and your dog, so it’s a good idea to help them manage their walking anxiety, if possible. In some cases, they may never be comfortable walking around and you may need to exercise them in your garden or inside your home instead. Ask your veterinarian for advice if your dog suffers from anxiety so they can recommend an appropriate training and management plan, which may include medication.
RELATED: Rescue Me: 7 Tips for Adopting a Shy Dog
