ajwhitt44
New member
- May 3, 2012
- 181
- 15
- Bulldog(s) Names
- BREMBO
Hi all,
I havn't spoken much lately about my bulldog, Brembo, as everything's been cheery. But like all of us, we're more likely to comment when something goes wrong rather than when things go right, so alas here I am.
Brembo is 11 months (picture below from when he was 7mos) and is weighing in around 55lbs. He's EXTREMELY active, able to go on 4 mile hikes, play for hours in the sand and snow, and has an unbelievable temperament. He's graduated puppy class, good manners 1, and good manners 2. My goal is to eventually have him pass the Canine Good Citizen test so he can start to become a service dog.
Anyway, up until about 2 months ago, I was able to take Brembo for walks around my house. I live in a residential area that gets a good amount of traffic (i.e. usually no more than 30 seconds will pass until a car goes by). Usually the traffic on my road is strictly cars and SUVs, but occasionally we'll get a UPS/FedEx delivery truck, mailman, or some loud car with a fart can.
Brembo used to walk just fine, as I would constantly treat him, teaching him to always look up to me for guidance and confirmation he was doing the correct thing. This also helped eliminate distractions (i.e. cars/loud noises) to help get him better acclimated to being outside in the thick of things.
I can't watch him during the day, so my girlfriend (who works nights as a nurse) usually takes care of him and takes him for walks on days when he's not at daycare.
One day she took him out for a walk and Brembo encountered 2 "trauma" incidents:
The subsequent problem:
Now because I was not there during this trauma, I was unable to help my girlfriend and Brembo to forget about it and continue with the walk. Now, ever since this incident, Brembo will NOT leave the backyard of the house. I can walk him to the end of the driveway and around the front yard, but the second I attempt to walk him down the sidewalk, he freezes. He puts on the brakes, and after a couple seconds of 'braking' will turn and try to pull me back towards the house. I have tried using his normal treats to goad him into following me, but at the slightest sound of a car he'll kind of freeze and I'll have trouble getting his attention.
If I put Brembo in the car and take him to the park/beach/friends house/etc, he is 100% fine. He can walk off-leash next to me, is responsive to my commands, and looks forward to the treats he receives as he walks correctly. It is only when he is in an area where there is traffic and commotion that he freezes up.
I have tried several things to fix his behavior. First, I know NEVER to coddle him when he's being scared, as that's a sure-fire way to compound the problem.
So what should I do? There are several suggestions I have received:
![Nope :nope: :nope:](https://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/images/smilies/sad0141.gif)
Please help! I am not sure that at 11mos he'll grow out of it, and I don't want to keep avoiding the street by taking him to the park, yet I don't want him to get more and more scared by trying to force him on the street!!!! I have tagged some of you who have helped me in the past, so please either share your input or tag someone else that may be able to help.
Brembo is such a good, well-socialized pup that it doesn't make sense that he should be so afraid of loud noises/cars, but here we are!!
THANKS!
@desertskybulldogs, @BruceP, @Vicaroo1000, @RaRett, @ChanelnBrutus, @Libra926, @JAKEISGREAT, @JeannieCO, @gobronco, @kazzy220, @2BullyMama, @Baconator, @Fontanafox, @roanne9145
UPDATE #1 (2/16): I was able to get Brembo up to the top of the street (about 8 houses) and back down using some peanut butter on the end of a wooden spoon. I simply had the spoon down next to me (where I ask him to 'HEEL') and led him with it. I'm not sure he even realized we were outside LOL.
Then, when I felt we had gone far enough, I made it MY idea to turn around and head home, and I did not use any PB when walking him towards home until a small truck came, and then I gave him a little bit more.
All in all I'd say it was a success and I look forward to trying again this evening.
And OF COURSE, a car went by us, stopped, then reversed to talk to me about him! D'oh! It's like you can never win, something unusual will ALWAYS happen when you're walking a bulldog, LOL.
I havn't spoken much lately about my bulldog, Brembo, as everything's been cheery. But like all of us, we're more likely to comment when something goes wrong rather than when things go right, so alas here I am.
Brembo is 11 months (picture below from when he was 7mos) and is weighing in around 55lbs. He's EXTREMELY active, able to go on 4 mile hikes, play for hours in the sand and snow, and has an unbelievable temperament. He's graduated puppy class, good manners 1, and good manners 2. My goal is to eventually have him pass the Canine Good Citizen test so he can start to become a service dog.
Anyway, up until about 2 months ago, I was able to take Brembo for walks around my house. I live in a residential area that gets a good amount of traffic (i.e. usually no more than 30 seconds will pass until a car goes by). Usually the traffic on my road is strictly cars and SUVs, but occasionally we'll get a UPS/FedEx delivery truck, mailman, or some loud car with a fart can.
Brembo used to walk just fine, as I would constantly treat him, teaching him to always look up to me for guidance and confirmation he was doing the correct thing. This also helped eliminate distractions (i.e. cars/loud noises) to help get him better acclimated to being outside in the thick of things.
I can't watch him during the day, so my girlfriend (who works nights as a nurse) usually takes care of him and takes him for walks on days when he's not at daycare.
One day she took him out for a walk and Brembo encountered 2 "trauma" incidents:
- #1 - was shaken and stirred by the loud noise of a jackhammer starting up right near him
- #2 - directly following jackhammer incident, was rushed at by a gigantic german shepherd in an electronically fenced yard (obviously Brembo didn't know the dog couldn't get to him)
The subsequent problem:
Now because I was not there during this trauma, I was unable to help my girlfriend and Brembo to forget about it and continue with the walk. Now, ever since this incident, Brembo will NOT leave the backyard of the house. I can walk him to the end of the driveway and around the front yard, but the second I attempt to walk him down the sidewalk, he freezes. He puts on the brakes, and after a couple seconds of 'braking' will turn and try to pull me back towards the house. I have tried using his normal treats to goad him into following me, but at the slightest sound of a car he'll kind of freeze and I'll have trouble getting his attention.
If I put Brembo in the car and take him to the park/beach/friends house/etc, he is 100% fine. He can walk off-leash next to me, is responsive to my commands, and looks forward to the treats he receives as he walks correctly. It is only when he is in an area where there is traffic and commotion that he freezes up.
I have tried several things to fix his behavior. First, I know NEVER to coddle him when he's being scared, as that's a sure-fire way to compound the problem.
- I have tried taking him out late at night when there is little-to-no traffic = no success
- I have tried leading him with his favorite treats = no success
- I never pull him and instead try different tactics to get him moving (i.e. walking around him in a circle, being really excited when he makes eye contact, etc.) = no success.
So what should I do? There are several suggestions I have received:
- Option #1: Use a high value treat (peanut butter, cooked chicken/hot dog) and try to lead him up and down
- Option #2: Withold feeding him ANY treats, period - only give him his kibble - and only give kibble when you go for a walk down the street (this would tell him that if he doesn't walk, he won't eat). Do not feed kibble inside the house.
- Option #3: Purchase a THUNDERSHIRT - this will wrap around his body tightly giving him a secure feeling and as a result he will act less afraid and more confident (I know this can work well but I'm hesitant to purchase one).
- Option #4: Drag (yes, you read that right), drag dog down the street kicking and screaming until he gives in (this was recommended to me by a dog trainer who also uses prong collars (which I don't use), so I would NEVER like to attempt this method)
![Nope :nope: :nope:](https://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/images/smilies/sad0141.gif)
Please help! I am not sure that at 11mos he'll grow out of it, and I don't want to keep avoiding the street by taking him to the park, yet I don't want him to get more and more scared by trying to force him on the street!!!! I have tagged some of you who have helped me in the past, so please either share your input or tag someone else that may be able to help.
Brembo is such a good, well-socialized pup that it doesn't make sense that he should be so afraid of loud noises/cars, but here we are!!
THANKS!
![photo3_zps8e861866.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv246%2Fplatnumn%2FBulldogs%2Fphoto3_zps8e861866.jpg&hash=4ab679d94ec5f86f38591e60a3298a3f)
@desertskybulldogs, @BruceP, @Vicaroo1000, @RaRett, @ChanelnBrutus, @Libra926, @JAKEISGREAT, @JeannieCO, @gobronco, @kazzy220, @2BullyMama, @Baconator, @Fontanafox, @roanne9145
UPDATE #1 (2/16): I was able to get Brembo up to the top of the street (about 8 houses) and back down using some peanut butter on the end of a wooden spoon. I simply had the spoon down next to me (where I ask him to 'HEEL') and led him with it. I'm not sure he even realized we were outside LOL.
Then, when I felt we had gone far enough, I made it MY idea to turn around and head home, and I did not use any PB when walking him towards home until a small truck came, and then I gave him a little bit more.
All in all I'd say it was a success and I look forward to trying again this evening.
And OF COURSE, a car went by us, stopped, then reversed to talk to me about him! D'oh! It's like you can never win, something unusual will ALWAYS happen when you're walking a bulldog, LOL.
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