Discard Treats while walking

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SAS123
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Joined: 29 Sep 2020, 10:30
First Name: Srinivasan

Discard Treats while walking

Post by SAS123 »

Hi all,

Gatsby is 7 months old (min Schnauzer). He is a good boy at home, very affectionate, loves playing with my son, listens to most of the instructions and gets his treats. But he behaves very strange while walking in the streets/ parks. Usually we walk him in the evening for around 30 minutes. He doesn’t care about treats while walking(tried many variety ), he barks at people, never listens to simple comments and pulls the lead as if he is sledging. He always wants to lead and drags while walking even if he is panting. I have seen many youtube videos in which puppies/dogs are very keen on getting treats while walking but he is so different. Appreciate if you guide/help me on this.

Regards,
Gatsby's dad.
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Dawnspell
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Re: Discard Treats while walking

Post by Dawnspell »

In Jaspers case not taking treats while out and about means he is overwhelmed or overstimulated by the situation. This feeling of being overwhelmed can be caused by many things.

Barking in many cases is a sign of anxiety/fear of the unknown. Jasper barks at children he just finds them too unpredictable in their movements and sudden noise.

Pulling can be because he just wants to get away from the situation hes in because hes not happy.

What is he like in your garden if you do training ?

I would try walking him in a quieter place away from streets and parks. If you cant do this then find a quiet area in the park and have him on a long line. In this way he can wonder around and after 10-15 mins in the same spot his anxiety will reduce and you may be able to ask for some simple behaviours, choose ones that he is 100% successful at. Its a case of doing this kind of desensitisation over many days and gradually building up distraction levels. If he reacts then take him back to a point in training when he was comfortable.

Also do focus training on you while at home so that you can get him to focus on you while out if you can see something that might be a trigger.

He is 7 months this is an age when some dogs go through a second fear stage so its very important to be aware of what stresses him out and take him away from it and reward when hes calm.

Puppies are hard work. Jasper is nearly 2 and I still work everyday on trying to get him more focused on me while out. He gets more overstimulated rather than overwhelmed. He still ignores treats on many occasions, eg if I call him back to me while on long line if I see something hes going to react to, but he likes a tickle behind the ear as reward. The world is just so exciting for him especially other dogs and he is 100 mile an hour dog :)) everything needs to be investigated
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Oscar 12345
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Re: Discard Treats while walking

Post by Oscar 12345 »

Interesting, when Otto was younger the afternoon walk was much more difficult. Just because dogs had recently been in the area, more smells, more stimulation, more people, more noise. He wouldn't take a treat if he's overstimulated. Thankfully he responds better to me talking to him than giving a treat. He gets very suspicious about me giving him a treat, he looks round thinking "why are you giving me this, what scary thing is about to come close". If someone else gives him a crappy biscuit then that's different. He remembers them forever. He's young, keep working at it and talk to him lots.
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Schnauzerluv
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Re: Discard Treats while walking

Post by Schnauzerluv »

Wow this is SPOT ON! Love this.

My pup is proof this works! I was taken by surprise just how under socialized my pup was and his fear of EVERYTHING at first. His 1st time in the great outdoors was in my garden. He was terrified of strangers and completely freaked out wailing at the vet and almost fell off the table. He literally had zero socialization prior except for the 80YO woman who was his breeder and well...covid. My other two minis (RIP) were nothing like this, so it just was a whole new experience to work on, I didn't expect it and had to learn fast how to deal with it.

I admit, it's a lot of work, but very worth it in the long run to stick with it. And it definitely can be done! Ozzy is like a whole new pup.

Just curious, is it dark when you are walking?

I was laughing at the treats because Ozzy is the same way! Also something that is not like my other two. My Snoop would never turn down a treat, totally unheard of concept, but he was also chill and a polar opposit to Ozzy. Ozzy also just LOVES praise and for me to talk to him almost more than a treat. I talked to all my minis. They just LOVE to listen to your voice and pick up more than you'd imagine!

Gatsby will be fine, just keep things positive, within his threshold, listen to his body language and let him know you have his back. As he gains trust and confidence, he'll come around nicely.
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Dawnspell
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Re: Discard Treats while walking

Post by Dawnspell »

Download this socialisation guide theres lots of things to help. They are actually doing a whole week of puppy guides this week. Jasper loves the games :D
https://game.absolute-dogs.com/socialisation
Our first family dog
Barney - Pocketpark Biali Eyebright 6/2/13 - 8/3/19 Gone too soon
Motto for owners who groom their own Schnauzers -"Never mind it'll soon grow back"
SAS123
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Joined: 29 Sep 2020, 10:30
First Name: Srinivasan

Re: Discard Treats while walking

Post by SAS123 »

Hi all,

Thank you for the kind reply. I have got so many tips now and gained confidence. I will definitely try the points above and post the changes. We have started speaking a lot to Gatsby now and he likes that.
I love this forum. Thanks again.
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