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As you know I do one to one walking and consequently have a variety of special hounds in my life! I have recently taken on a new Romanian rescue(a shepherd type cross) she is settled in her home but has not been walked by anyone other than family.
A quick bit of background - I walk a few dogs that live on the same road as her and so she is familiar with me, always pleased to see me and have a treat when I'm out with one of her neighbours. With my new ones I always do a step by step process, home visit to take as many details as possible and obviously to meet the dog properly, then progress to going for a walk with the owner and dog a couple of times, then come to walk dog whilst owner is home. I don't progress to coming into empty house to walk any dog before these steps are comfortable for both of us.
Here's where I need a bit of advice, she's very guardy in doors but is happy when I turn up, a quick bark through the window then she runs to front door to greet me. She went to leave with me from the first home visit, good sign! She was happy me walking with her and owner, she leaves the house with me for a walk, all good. But she is worried once we get on to the pavement, she'll walk a couple of steps and stop but will continue, when she chooses, for a treat with gentle verbal encouragement.
The first walk we got all the way to the park( it is only a 5 minute walk away), slowly but surely, lots of fuss and well dones and we headed back home.
The second walk we got about half way.
The third walk we only managed a few steps away from house so I took her home again. Every time she is always really happy to leave the house with me. And every time I am leaving her to choose to take a treat and walk a step or two, when she decides to not step forward for a treat I take her home.
I'm doing these trials once a week at the moment, but I'm wondering whether I should continue the way I am or do you think I should take the steps all the way back to going for a walk with the owner a few more times? Maybe with me holding her lead?
Or any other advice would be greatly appreciated!
A quick bit of background - I walk a few dogs that live on the same road as her and so she is familiar with me, always pleased to see me and have a treat when I'm out with one of her neighbours. With my new ones I always do a step by step process, home visit to take as many details as possible and obviously to meet the dog properly, then progress to going for a walk with the owner and dog a couple of times, then come to walk dog whilst owner is home. I don't progress to coming into empty house to walk any dog before these steps are comfortable for both of us.
Here's where I need a bit of advice, she's very guardy in doors but is happy when I turn up, a quick bark through the window then she runs to front door to greet me. She went to leave with me from the first home visit, good sign! She was happy me walking with her and owner, she leaves the house with me for a walk, all good. But she is worried once we get on to the pavement, she'll walk a couple of steps and stop but will continue, when she chooses, for a treat with gentle verbal encouragement.
The first walk we got all the way to the park( it is only a 5 minute walk away), slowly but surely, lots of fuss and well dones and we headed back home.
The second walk we got about half way.
The third walk we only managed a few steps away from house so I took her home again. Every time she is always really happy to leave the house with me. And every time I am leaving her to choose to take a treat and walk a step or two, when she decides to not step forward for a treat I take her home.
I'm doing these trials once a week at the moment, but I'm wondering whether I should continue the way I am or do you think I should take the steps all the way back to going for a walk with the owner a few more times? Maybe with me holding her lead?
Or any other advice would be greatly appreciated!