Expert: Christine Puetz - 8/16/2009

Question
Hi I have an english bulldog male puppy who is 8 months old, from the age of about 5 months he suddenly gained a fear of walking, I only have to say "walkies" and he hides and shakes I have to physically carry him of the drive which is struggle to say the least and once hes put on the floor its hard to get him moving and he constantly wants to return home, I can pinpoint the last time he walked fine but suspect no reasons wht he has created this fear, can you help??

Answer
Joanne,

If your bulldog walks at home without any trouble, then it must be something about going out on walks.  Bulldog tend to be lazy and maybe your walks have been to long for him.

Try taking shorter walks - maybe just a walk out to the drive and back.  Try go get him to see that a walk can be fun.  Praise and reward him for the little walk.  Just keep doing that until he realizes that your walk will just be out and back and then he will get rewarded.

Then just add a little at a time.  But keep your walks short.  Hopefully you can get him over this fear.

Christine Puetz