ajj_32 Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) Hi all, I need some more advice for my 3 month old dallie. When we started walking her outside she was pretty scared at the start. Now she's much better at walking but she hates walking away from home in the dark. I can drive her somewhere different and take her for a walk in the dark and she is much better but I really want her to feel comfortable leaving the house and walking in the dark since its the only time we can walk her in winter (she has dog walkers three days a week that come during the day). She is fine leaving the house and walking in the light and sunset/dusk period. We've tried leaving through the front door, garage door and side gates and nothing helps. She just sits down and shakes. We take food and toys too but same reaction. Any suggestions?? Thanks so much Edited June 22, 2015 by ajj_32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 If she's only 3 months old I wouldn't be pushing a walk on her if she doesn't want one - particularly when it sounds like she's experiencing a fear period... At that age you can probably just get away with playing with her a bit to tire her out. Next winter she'll probably have outgrown the fear period and it won't be an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 If she's only 3 months old I wouldn't be pushing a walk on her if she doesn't want one - particularly when it sounds like she's experiencing a fear period... At that age you can probably just get away with playing with her a bit to tire her out. Next winter she'll probably have outgrown the fear period and it won't be an issue. + 1. Maybe just playing around with her in your yard in the dark would be better. Let her get used to the dark first, with no pressure. Some tiny bits and pieces, with lots of treats and/or toys. Building up a great and trusting relationship with her is IMHO, the most important thing at this stage. She's still a baby :-). (Speaking of which, do we get to see photos of the cutie?) :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Maybe you could take her somewhere like a footy ground when training is on. The vague rule of thumb I was told - for healthy joint development is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age. So 3 months old - 15 minutes of exercise in one session (you can have more than one session spread out but no hour long walks). I think the regime for big dogs like Rottweilers was even stricter. One of my friends would set a timer eg five minutes out and five minutes back... Given you probably have a very energetic puppy - you might work on her brain as much as her body... and you can combine to wear a puppy out. Eg train her to put her paws on a perch eg a phone book (does anyone still have those?) wrapped in a towel - or just a folded towel to start with. start with front paws, then all four, then one paw at a time - each paw... Train her nose touches, collar grabs, its yer choice train / lure some stretches and bends ie getting her nose towards her back feet between her front feet - don't push it, just let her follow the treat or your hand. etc. Google canine conditioning and body awareness for more tricks like these, google "shaping tricks" for how to train etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajj_32 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks everyone. It's all great advice. I'll lay of trying to get her to walk for a while and hopefully she'll be right when the longer days come around. Thanks for the advice Spinner, I was wondering what else I could do other than the common tricks: sit, stay etc. This forum is so awesome for good ideas:) As requested, here's a pic of my cutie pie just taken the other day:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 She is super cute!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Oh pretty! Who from may I ask? Yes, agree with the advice given. Relax and enjoy! I am doing a year long puppy course with my youngster. Lots of building motivation and self control plus lots of recall work. Fun, fun, fun! I don't train formal control positions but pup works them out as we go. She offers a sharp little sit when she wants to play tug!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajj_32 Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks, we love her to bits!! She's a Whytewood puppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks, we love her to bits!! She's a Whytewood puppy. How could you not! Yes I know Whytewood - do join the Dally Club too. It's great meeting other owners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 FYI, there's some good info in the first post here about fear periods etc: http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/117592-puppy-development-calender/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 One of my favourite free resources for learning to train a puppy or dog... is kikopup on youtube. The lady who does that recently visited Australia (Sydney) but I found out too late to go sadly. https://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup The other person - more expensive is Susan Garrett, but she has a blog page and often puts good ideas up there. I think her recallers course is about to invite sign ups - includes about 35 or so games including crate games and lots of trouble shooting and help - give your email to the blog page and it will tell you when to sign up. Recallers has a money back guarantee (pro rata) if you don't like it. Cost last time was somewhere between $300 ish to $2000 ish US dollars depending what you signed up for. And people renewing always get a discount. http://susangarrettdogagility.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks for the photo ... she is really lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Have you asked the dog walkers how she is on walks,personally i wouldn't be handing my 3 month old to strangers to walk plus with her age she shouldn't be doing alot of walking . Is she cold at night & just simply isn't interested in going out , How does she intercat in the backyard at night ?/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 If she is fearful in the dark regardless of where she is, get her examined by a canine eye specialist. It's PROBABLY nothing to be concerned about but we had a bitch who was very fearful in the dark and it turned out she had PHPV (inherited eye condition). I have NO idea about the eye conditions in Dallies so please don't immediately go in to panic-mode, but this is something to consider if she is fearful even in known places and doesn't improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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