HI. I have a german shepherd dog which we got from a dog home a few weeks ago. She is approx. 18 months old and very good in the house and car. The problems start when we try to take her for a walk. She positively refuses to leave the front garden and slips her lead when we try to take her. She was picked up as a stray and i wonder if something has happened to her then? I am frightened to force her (a) in case the fear makes her even worse, and (b) in case she gets away and runs onto the road. Can anyone please advise? Thanks.
You are right not to force her, you need to let her want to leave the front garden of her own accord. This involves a lot of praise and reassurance from you. Is she completely comfortable in the front yard? You should try putting a lead on her and walking her around the front yard to let her get used to the lead/walking idea. Then possibly go outside the gate and sit down on the ground and leave the gate open and let her see if she wants to come out, praise her for even looking like she might want to leave the yard. When doing this is might be wise to put a long loose lead on her so that is she does get out and get scared she doesnt bolt. Once she does build up the courage to leave the yard, give her lots of positive attention. and don't take her any further, get her used to just leaving the yard a little bit and then maybe you could try walking her out to where you were sitting on a lead and then turn around and go back in the yard. Take each little walk further and further from the yard. It takes patience and a lot of reassurance but she will get there in the end.
I totally agree with Becks. Don't force her to go outside your front yard. You said your dog was found as a stray and it is possible that she got lost on a walk or hike and it could have traumatized her.
Besides that, it is very likely that rescued dogs love to have his/her own home. All my dogs like walks/trips but they always love to come home. Home is very precious for them. They don't want to go back as a stray, or in a shelter.
Let her take time to get used to her new home and rebuild her confidence. You said she is good in the car so maybe you can take her for a little drive and come right back home. By doing this, she will get a sense of home and she will learn that she will always come back to THIS home. Nobody will take her away from there.
