I have recently taking in a 3 year old male cocker spaniel, he is so alert and affectionate, when taken into the garden he is running around and wagging his tail, but as soon as i try to take him outside the front gate on or off the leash he cowards down with his tail between his legs and will not budge?
I have tried to investigate his past but nobody can help me.

If anybody has comments or views on why he will not go outside and walk i would be very much grateful for thier help.

Many Thanks

Jenny.
email stubump@hotmail.com

There are a number of reasons why your Cocker isn't happy about walking outside - perhaps he has come from a kennel environment where he never left the kennels & so simply has never experienced life in the outside world before. To him, going outside for a walk is scary, full of sights & sounds he's never come across before. This lack of socialising can take a long time to overcome but it is not impossible if you have lots of time & patience. I would treat him as you would a young puppy - take him out for v short walks to begin with, talk to him in a confident, happy voice to encourage him but never sympathise with him as this will just make him think he's right to be nervous. Use treats to motivate him to walk - give extra tasty titbits like cooked liver or cheese to reward him if he does walk voluntarily. It can also help to have someone he knows & likes walk a little way in front of him (maybe your partner?), encouraging him to follow. You will not see an immediate improvement but with time, he should get the idea that going for walks is not so bad after all :-)

Jane