Hi there,
I have a 6-month-old Norwegian Buhund that has a very calm but timid temperament, so she is pretty good in the home/car but is fearful of going outdoors for walks. She seems to be afraid of traffic, esp. trucks, construction, and other loud noises. She is also somewhat afraid of strangers. She loves other dogs and is fine around their owners. Since I live downtown in a major city, going for walks when it's quiet on the streets is very difficult. I also live in a condo so I have to take her out to do her business. Moreover, since she's afraid of going outside, she has started peeing in the elevator/stairwell before we make it outside.
When we go out for walks, she bolts and pulls very hard on her leash in an attempt to get away. However, this doesn't happen all the time - some days are better than others. I've tried giving treats outside, but she's so afraid that she won't eat them. I try to make her sit when she's scared, and she does so but only for a few seconds and then starts pulling again. I've also tried playing traffic sounds in the home to desensitize her, but she seems to know that these sounds aren't real so she's not afraid.
Any suggestions to overcome her sound phobia would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
J
