maz
Newbie
Posts: 6
Pets I own: Bella the Bichon Frise
Frank the black Labrador
Harry and Minnie the rabbits
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Post by maz on Nov 8, 2014 22:21:23 GMT
Hi,
I have an 11 month old Bichon Frise called Bella. She has always loved going for walks, and normally just the word 'walk' would send her to the front door, waiting to go out.
Over the past few weeks, she has been reluctant to go out and even hides where she knows I can't get to her, when she sees me get ready to go. I thought maybe she doesn't like walking in the dark, as I walk her in the evenings, but it's happened during daylight too.
When actually out on walks, she seems OK and pretty much like she used to be.
Nothing has changed in her routine/environment etc other than the fewer daylight hours, however she was spayed about 6 weeks ago and this behaviour started soon after she was allowed back out for walks again. Could that have anything to do with it? I can't think of anything else that may have triggered this.
Any help will be hugely appreciated. I miss my walks with my little girl!
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Post by caz2golden on Nov 8, 2014 23:13:04 GMT
Was she a nervous dog before spaying? It may be the loss of hormones is making her more nervous about being out on walks. Spaying is a major operation so even 6 weeks is really not long after what is serious abdominal surgery, perhaps she is still not feeling 100%?
Have the night walks started suddenly? I know it takes mine a while to get used to night walking again after the summer fun.
Has she had bad experience out on a walk? Be it scary dog encounter, bike, car, bus, fireworks....... These are all things that can put dog off wanting to go for a walk.
Does she enjoy her walk once you get started?
Has the hiding become a game? Some dogs start doing this as they think its a game. My mums dog will run to another room. We do not follow her and in end she will come back to have lead put on etc as going for a walk is really highlight of her day.
Can you reduce the 'getting ready' stage for going for a walk by leaving everything in pile near door? Can the first thing you do is put her on lead before you put jacket on, lock up etc etc so that she gets no warning that she is about to go for a walk. Alternatively can you put your dog in a room where she can not hide while you get ready to go out? What about putting her on lead and then not going anywhere so that she does not associate lead with going out. Can you block the places that you find it impossible to get her out from so that she can not hide?
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maz
Newbie
Posts: 6
Pets I own: Bella the Bichon Frise
Frank the black Labrador
Harry and Minnie the rabbits
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Post by maz on Nov 9, 2014 12:36:05 GMT
She never used to be nervous about anything, generally she's incredibly confident. I suppose the night walks have started suddenly, yes. But I can't think of any incidents that might have spooked her, so maybe it is a combination of night walks plus the recent spay?
I can keep her in one room when getting ready for a walk, without her being able to hide, so will try that, and also what you said about her lead. I don't think the hiding has become a game, as she seems a bit distressed when hiding. That's not what she's like when I know she's playing and being cheeky.
Thanks for your advice, I'll see what happens next!
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Post by beaglel1fe on Nov 9, 2014 14:36:28 GMT
Poppy was a bit frantic after her spay.
Are you suddenly going on long walks? Try building up distance. Same with night walks. It's hard with the clocks changing (Poppy is a still little nervous in the dark). Build up darkness so it starts just as the sun setting and gradually change the time of her walks so the darkness changes gradually. This might not be ideal for you due to work hours etc. but it's worth a go and honestly worked with Poppy. Try and make walks fun - take some nice treats or her favourite toy along and reward them to Bella every so often if she's been a good girl so she thinks "If I go for walks, I get food!". Remember to take the equivelent out of her dinner so she stays at her ideal weight (spayed dogs put more on than entire dogs) and take away the treats gradually too.
Hope this helps!
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maz
Newbie
Posts: 6
Pets I own: Bella the Bichon Frise
Frank the black Labrador
Harry and Minnie the rabbits
|
Post by maz on Nov 10, 2014 17:49:38 GMT
Thank you! I will try timing her walks better and building them up, and I'm sure the treats will help. Yesterday I managed to get her in the hall before getting ready to go out, so she couldn't go hide which is a step forward at least
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Post by beaglel1fe on Nov 11, 2014 7:31:47 GMT
Thank you! I will try timing her walks better and building them up, and I'm sure the treats will help. Yesterday I managed to get her in the hall before getting ready to go out, so she couldn't go hide which is a step forward at least Great to hear
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