I wonder if anyone could advise me on this one? We've only had Sparky since he was 12 weeks. He was brought up in a very busy household and is well socialised, but I'm just not too sure how much traffic he experienced before we brought him home. He enjoys his short walk, and is starting to improve on his lead. He likes trips in the car and loves the park, which is quite busy with plenty of other dogs, but he is terrified of traffic and will not turn left out of our close as that is in the direction of a busier road. I have read ideas about sitting with him at a roundabout, watching the traffic together for short periods, but my question is this - do I carry him the 200 yards there or persevere with him on his lead? He backs away and pulls like mad to try to go in the opposite direction, (which is much quieter), so it would mean literally dragging him along, which I'm not comfortable with. He is getting quite big now though, (and pushing boundaries ;))and if I start carrying him now, will he think that's what will happen everytime he plays this card? Also, should I try to ensure that he experiences traffic every day, or would it be better to completely forget about heading in that direction for a week or so and trying again then?

Is there another way round to get to the same road and the walk back the way he won't walk.
you could also try encouraging him with treats or walking of and leaving him don't go to far as it is near a main road you could do it on a long rope and keep calling him and have his fave tog or some treats to encourage him

Have tried the treats, but he wasn't interested. I can get to the roundabout a different way, but this is down a country lane with no pavement - would probably scare the living daylights out of him if a car came past there. Have tried the treats, but not having any of it. Will try the extendable lead and walking away though, thanks. If that doesn't help, should I leave him a week or so and try again?

Thanks, Tracy

Not sure from your post how old the pup is, but it sounds as if he is generally fine and it is just the traffic which is the problem.

I would tackle the problem this way. First of all, take him (drive him if necessary, that's fine) to somewhere where you can control the traffic he sees. Maybe a quiet road where lorries don't go, or a supermarket car park near the back where it is fairly quiet.

Make sure he is hungry - you say he doesn't like the treats. This is either because he wasnt hungry, the treats were not very interesting, or he was too scared to eat them because the traffic was too distracting and scary

If a dog is very scared it is not a good idea to force him to face his fears, as that can make it ten times worse. You have to show him moving traffic is fine.

Ideally, use his everyday kibble/dry food (wet food is more difficult for obvious reasons!) and ONLY feed him near cars. This is "classical conditioning" is all about association. YOu won't be rewarding him for his fear. If he only ever gets any food near cars, he will eventually start to see cars as signalling something very pleasant happening.

Food is a primary reinforcer for dogs, i. e. it is necessary for life, so it can be used very well in this rather devious way ;)

At first feed him when moving cars are at a distance, and gradually start taking him out towards more busy and noisy areas....but dont be tempted to move out too quickly. Take it steady. Don't try to calm him if he shows fear - either use a jolly hockey sticks voice, or ignore the fear reaction totally, as some owner's soothing can seem like a reward for the fear reaction.

Hth a bit

Lindsay

Thanks Lindsay,
We can see the main road from our driveway, so this should be a good place to start. I'll let you know how we go on. The car park at our local park (which he loves) is also quite near to a main road. Sparky is OK with the cars in the car park, and doesn't bother much when they drive past slowly him there, so we stayed in the car park for a while yesterday, watching the main road traffic and giving him bits of dried liver (new discovery - yum!). It did seem to keep him mind off things, but it will take quite a while. At puppy class last night they said "He doesn't have to like the traffic, just put up with it", which I suppose is another way of looking at it!
Tracy
(He's 14 weeks, by the way)

Good luck, perseverance in this sort of situation usually pays off ;)

Lindsay

I would also say that at 14 weeks old he is only a baby. I well remember my Anna was a little concerned about traffic at that age. Whatever you do, be bold yourself. Anything which your puppy can construe as apprehension or nerves on your part will be taken as corroboration of the fact that there really is something there to worry about.

Regards, John