Hello,
my Bullie pup is now 5 months old, but already i am having problems with him going for a walk. Sometimes he will go no problem (which are few and far between) but most of the time he wont budge past about 5 yards. If he does he goes to every gate he sees, stands there and wont budge. Ive ended up carrying him most of the way tonight again. I'm sure he is a bit unsure as he was shacking a little, i tried to reassure him and gave him love and kisses. i put him down and he walked a little again then stopped.
All i need is a little advice on what to do as this is my first pup as our last bullie was a RSPCA rescue dog and was 3 when we got her
any advice appreciated
Matt :).

find someone with a real friendly dog and get them to go with you-it might just give him the confidence, until he gets used to it

Reassuring him is the worst thing you can do - you'll be reinforcing his fear, basically telling him that his reaction is what you want because you're rewarding him having it. i know it's REALLY hard not to do it, but if you stop reassuring him, walk in a confident manner and when he is walking well praise him LOTS this should stop :)
Try using an incentive too - give him a treat every few steps but only when he is walking well, or get his attention with a favourite toy, so as to distract him from the things he is afraid of, then you can lavish praise in him when he *doesn't* stop dead in his tracks.
BTW, what's a "bully"?? Bulldog? Bullterrier? Bullmastiff? Or a cross of one of these? Just curious :) Hope you can get it sorted soon, he sounds like a sensitive little soul

Annette

Dizzy and Speedsmom are right a friendly companion works wonders for a reluctant walker and you are giving into him bigtime by reassuring him when he wont walk .Be firm and make sure he is not fed before walking as no puppy likes to walk on afull belly. If he is hungry he will respond to a titbit in your hand while walking but only give it after he has walked a bit to deserve it .
Most bullies are lazy and will avoid doing as much as possible if allowed .
:d Mari

I would worry if he hadn`t gone bounding around full of the joys of spring at being let loose off the lead at 5 months old.Today my 4 month old came in from the garden with mud up to her ear holes(how did she manage to find mud in my frozen garden)grinning like a Cheshire cat.
You just have to make sure it is a safe area i.e. no poisonous plants,small sticks,wood with nails in or broken fencing etc.because sure as eggs is eggs your pup will find it if there is!
Sound a very normal happy pup to me.
Regards
Carole

Hi Matt,
My Amy was the same as a puppy. I really thought she would be too bad to show at one stage but it is actually that, a stage.
I have had a lot of bullies now and they all seem to have a scaredy stage but believe me they grow out of it.
We took Amy to a big Bull Terrier Club show at 6 months of age and she loved it, taking Best Puppy in show.
So just keep taking your dog out, he will come round. Taking him out with an older steady dog is a good idea, I always do this with my pups.
Sharon
Bullywood Bull Terriers

Thanks for all you messages of advice and support i am going to try again tomorrow and try a few of your suggestions i'll keep you posted..
speedsmum he is a bullterrier

Hello,
Ive had the same problem with my new puppy Molly.She was terrified when we started to take her out.She also stopped at every gate as if she lived there.I just keep talking to her and reassuring her that everything is ok.It took me nearly 40 mins to get to the end of our cul de sac,but dont be put off.Its been a week now and everytime gets easier.She was quite nervous about people passing us but in just a week she wants to stop and talk to them all.Ha ha.
Take treats if need be!Good luck.Andrea

Just a quick update, Milo my pup has got past the frightened stage and is walking very well now. Even up the local country park he wants to play with all the other dogs he sees..Thanks for all the advice
Matt :)