Sparky is now coming up for 14 months old (he's a BC) and up until recently has loved his walks, although those of you who know us might remember he had a big fear of traffic which we have had to work very hard to overcome. If he saw me get my coat on, or fetch my car keys, he would sit at the kitchen door with his bum waggling ready to go. If I dared mention the word "walk" or "out" he'd start whining and would run to the front door, tail wagging away.

Since the incident in the park last week (see getting paranoid post), he has started acting really strangely when I start to get ready to take him out. He either hides under the table, tail down, and shaking -  a bit like he used to when he was walking in traffic, though not quite as bad - or runs and lies down in his bed.

Today I had to bribe him with a visit to Toto, the neighbour's westie, first. After we'd been there, he came back up the drive and jumped quite happily into the car ready to go off to the park. Once there, he is absolutely fine - not showing any great fear of anything - although perhaps staying just a little closer than he used to. We had a lovely walk, lots of games with me prancing about like an idiot, and Sparky swimming, racing around, and tail wagging; he had a lovely play with a couple of poodles and a cocker spaniel, too.

I would understand his pre-walk behaviour if he didn't seem to enjoy the walk once we're there. Do you think maybe it's the traffic thing creeping in again? Racking my brains trying to think if we've passed anything unusually large or noisy, but can't say that we have, and even in the scary traffic days we could always get round him by telling him we were going in the car - even that isn't working at the moment.

Any advice appreciated.
Tracy

What do you do when he starts this type of behaviour?

Hi digger - I try to sound as excited as I can about going out. If I've called him to me, I go and get him. I've also tried just going out the front door without him if he doesn't come when called - then peeping in the kitchen window - he's still under the table at this point. Yesterday, I told him we were going to get the girls (ie from school) and he came quite happily for that one - is he just being a little bu**er? His recall generally (hope I'm not speaking too soon) is good, around the house and out. Just had another thought - the past two walks he's needed his feet hosing down when we get back. He doesn't seem to mind this, but maybe that's got something to do with it?

Just a quick update in the hope someone can give me some suggestions - Sparky has now taken to hiding under my bed at the mere sight of his lead :(
Is it over-reacting to think it's linked to the problems we've had with other dogs (see post about breeds clashing)? We were about to take him out again this morning, and when we did get him outside he was shaking like mad. The road was very quiet (first thing Sunday morning), so there were no cars for him to be worried about. I wouldn't mind, but I took him to a different park in the car yesterday and had a lovely time - lots of training, tail wagging and a huge field all to ourselves. We met a couple of other dogs and Sparky had a good play with them.
It's not as though he is lethargic at home, either. He is up for anything and loves to be kept busy with lots of games. Could it be that he is starting to find walks a bit boring?

He is clearly frightened of something - if only he could tell you.  The trouble is, that if for example it is the traffic that he's worried about, he doesn't know that it is Sunday and that there isn't going to be a juggernaut around the next corner.  If you think it is the traffic I would take him out in the car but again he doesn't know when you pick up the lead that you aren't going to make him walk up the scarey road.  You have to find a way to get him in the car with the least amount of fuss.  If the bedroom door was shut he wouldn't be able to hide under the bed.  I'd probably have a light lead permanantly in my pocket and take his collar and attach the lead and not bother to warn him that something scarey is about to happen.  Perhaps if he doesn't have time to dwell on it he'll be okay.

Thanks Sally,
You're right about the bedroom door, of course, though he does seem to be getting quite clever at finding new places to hide! We'll also give the light lead thing a try and see how that goes. We've spent all day today going in and out with him, playing on the drive and doing all manner of exciting things once we are outside - much to the amusement of the neighbours. We've also gone back to basics with the traffic - ten steps up the road, twenty steps up the road, etc. staying out a bit longer each time to see if we can get over it again. He is flinching when a noisy car goes past, so I reckon it probably is the traffic again. I just hope we can crack it again - it took ages to get him used to it first time round :(

Tracy