Every dog is an individual, and sometimes, building a friendship takes a little extra time, patience, and—of course—a few tasty treats!
I recently had a two-and-a-half-hour adventure with a lovely boy who was a bit unsure of me at first. Since I wasn’t his usual walker, the first 30 minutes were a challenge. He kept looking back, searching for a familiar face, and would often stop and whine, unsure if he should continue.
Building Confidence
When a dog is nervous, you can’t rush them. I spent time sitting down at his level, offering hugs and reassurance until he started to warm up. We eventually made it to the local cemetery, but we quickly discovered two things:
- He is a very good boy who managed to get his business done!
- He has a secret passion for “street snacks” (eating rubbish).
Because the area was unfortunately quite littered, I kept him on a short lead to keep him safe. Note for the future: We’ll be skipping the cemetery next time to find a cleaner, safer environment for him to explore!
The Turning Point
To give him a better experience, we headed over to the park. He was still pulling a little on the way, so we had a mini-training session. By using positive reinforcement and treats, I showed him that I was leading the way.
The transformation was amazing! Once we reached the park:
- He transitioned to a long lead beautifully.
- He was on his best behaviour around other dogs.
- His recall was perfect—he came running back the moment I called his name.
A Happy Walk Home
The best part of the day was the walk back. The whining and pulling had completely vanished. Instead, he walked calmly by my side, checking in with me regularly to make sure I was still there.
It just goes to show that with a little bit of love and the right encouragement, even the most nervous pup can become a confident explorer. We can’t wait for our next adventure!