Have a 9 month old lab called max always been nervous but took him out walkies (same walk as he's been on since he was 13 weeks old) as usual 6.30 am yesterday morning no one around nice and quite going along same route as every morning, same time but something seemed to spook him. He kept looking up at sky and tail down, body seemed to go down nothing in sky no noise but he dragged me all the way home??????? Took him out 5pm same route but didnt get very far kept looking to the sky, paw over lead, he turned around tail down, body down and dragged me back home. I could not controll him at all did manage to get him to stop a minute gave him a cuddle said everything was ok but still spooked. When got home he went out into the garden looked up at sky all time but not as spooked.
Today this am as ususal 6.30 took him for usual walk - kept looking up to the sky nothing there no noise all the way he kept looking to the sky not as spooked as yesterday but could tell he was uneasy. Anyone any suggestions - John????? mattie????

Thanks
Carole

Just one thought, thunder?? A dog's hearing is extremely good and he could just have heard something you never heard.

I would not cuddle at that point because he could get the idea that you are worried and that would reinforce the idea in his mind that there really is something to worry about. Use the confident approach. Tell him not to be silly in a confident voice. If it is not possible to get him to carry on then I would sit him where he is and busy myself looking at something, possibly a piece of paper in my wallet. The common or garden action will help to convince him that you really are not concerned.

Best wishes, John

Hi John

I did think that it may be thunder but I did not hear anything at all. Will try to distract him like to say and not make a fuss reinforcing the idea to be afraid.
It has only happened in the last two days been fine before.
I know its not right for him to put his paw over the lead as though to say I am not going any further but it is funny to see him do this he does it when he's frightened (be it people or other dogs or now thunder).
He's got very good hearing. We had a cocker spaniel for 12.5 years before this lab but I think he was on the deaf side because he never barked only if he saw movement and you could come home and he'd be fast asleep on the sofa you could burgle the house and he wouldnt hear a thing he'd just be lied there on his back with all fours in the air snoring.
Any way thats all for now.
Thanks Very much for your advice are you going to Gleny's show???? or do you live too far away.

Love and best wishes
Carole

Believe me, the foot over the lead thing is not always because of fright! Bethany found at an early age that I was as good as helpless when she did that and used it to her advantage for nearly 14 years!

I'd love to be going to Glenys's show but unfortunatly I live at the other end of the country, south Bucks, so I won't be able to make it. :(

Best wishes, John