Hi there,
I wonder if anyone could help me please?
I have a 6 month old Border Terrier who is wonderful and fast becoming the best little boy in the Park.
he is an absolute joy in all regards except one!
For some strange reason when me I go to get his collar and harness to take him for a walk he runs and hides. Then ensues the most ridiculous battle to try to get him and put on the same.  When I leave my flat he won't walk and is dragged (gently) down the corridor (15 feet) to the lifts where he cries ( I definitely think he is frightened of the lifts) and then we get downstairs and out and he is completely different!  Chomping at th bit as it were,eager to get tot he Park which he loves and goes there twice a day for up to 3 - 4 hours.  All of his Best Friends are there and he plays with each of them in turn depending on whom we bump in too.  He is also a very pretty chap so he gets lots of attention in the Park and he just filled with the joys of spring.
Yet, even though we have done this everyday since he was innoculated fully (12 weeks) he cannot seem to make the association that walkies are good!.
Now each day we go to my Parents who live 5 mins away and they adore him and often come out on the walks.  They live in the same kind of flat as I and again he cries in the lift and is reluctant.  He bounds down the corridor which is approx. 50 feet long and loves it there and you guessed it when it's time to leave and me or my Dad gets his collar and harness, he hides!
It would break your heart to see him, his little ears go back and he pokes his head around the corner of the sofa and avoids eye contact.
What am I doing wrong guys?
I feel I should tell you that I belive I made a mistake with him early on.  When I got him at 8weeks, I took him each day in a bag over to the Park to socialise him until he was 12 weeks and could go down.  He was always a very energetic puppy, playing for 4 hours at a time before he would tire.  As soon as I could take him for walks I did, but I didn't build up and I wore him out.  The first week I had to carry him back through the Park half way through the walk.  I spoke to my Vet and asked how long should I walk him for (back then) and he said let him be the judge when he has had enough he will let you know) subsequently from reading books I feel this was wrong and from the second week onwards we went on two or three short walks a day.  Now he is tireless practically but I can't help thinking I have scarred him.  You envisage dog owners calling out 'walkies' and their dogs joyfully bounding towards them and I feel so bad for my little Bramble.  Could anyone help please?  Thanks and sorry it is so long. xxx

Doesn't Sound as though he is scared of walking but simply the lift. Can you not take the stairs?

Well, unless I've picked this up wrong the common denominator appears to be the lift.  He sounds as though he's very frightened by it and that is the association he is making when you bring out his lead and harness - not forward thinking to the walk :)

You could try and de-sensitise him to the elevator but TBH he may not overcome that particular phobia quickly if at all since for the last few months he's had it forced upon him (unintentionally) when terrified of it.

Are you on a floor where using the stairs - carrying him up and down - is a practical alternative?  If so I'd do that for a while so that the sight of his lead stops filling him with dread and you can break that habit.  When he's more confident then perhaps you could try firstly carrying him into the lift and through the journey and exit too.  Don't reward any obvious sign of anxiety by fussing him just hold him firmly enough to be secure but without being so firm as to give him the impression that you are anxious too.

As to over doing his exercise as a small puppy, don't beat yourself up about it!  What's done is done and although it was probably too much he's got through it ;)   I don't personally think that has any relation to his reluctance when he sees his lead etc.

HTH, regards Teri :)   

Like the others have said don't beat yourself up over it

This will sound a bit odd but I do some training indoors Picking him for a cuddle & popping his lead on then treating him & immediately take it off all in the safety of your arms whilst you are sitting down(I presume you allow him cuddles on your knee etc)

I would use a silly command like "Do we like Mr Leadie" when I did it. You will need to conceal the lead from him when you pick him up(possibly leaving it on the chair/settee etc)

I would also put the lead round a toy(especially if he has any cuddly toys) & pull it around saying nothing to him & if he goes towards the toy & especially if he picks up the to treat him immediately

You could use a chicker to mark the behaviour you want & then treat

He needs to see the lead as a source of pleasure & reward

As for the lift I would carry him to within sight of the lift & pop him on the floor & treat him & then pick him up again & take him home again very gradually getting closer to the lift & if he shows any sign of stress/worry move away from the lift.

I'm a great one for silly conversation with my dogs & if you don't mind sounding daft i would do something similar like this "does (puppies name)want to go walkies Does he want to go see(doggy friends name)in the park ? Shall we get mr leady ?(treat on the word leady & pick up puppy & pop on lead)Are you a good boy wearing mr leady ?(treat on the word leady & put puppy down keeping hold of the lead & walk toiwards your front dog If he gets upset stop go out to his level & holding a treat infront of him move slowly towards the door. If he takes one pace forward praise & treat him

It might take a while or he could pick up the treat idea & the reward of the lead quite quickly The same applies to the lift. TBH I've always carried puppies in lifts(whilst they were small enough to be carried)it can be quite scary moving up & down instead of the natural walking movement

Some excellent advice there, thank you.
Also, i love the idea of 'Mr Leady' and trying it on some toys.  The clicker and reward is also a very good thought.
Yes I can still carry him, just about! so I can definitely try that going towards the lift and in fact, carrying him in the lift is really not a bad idea as a) it would stop him going towards yucky things on the floor and b) other passengers might feel better as not everyone likes doggies.

My daft conversation skills definitely need some work compared to you!

Although, he has just been over the Park with me for the past 3 hours and he was chasing sizzlin' bacon flavoured bubbles (for dogs!) with another two puppies,  whilst I was shouting 'bubbles bubble scrummy bacon bubbles'  - people must thing I am mad over there!

TBH, I have only ever seen the lead as a tool, so desensitising him to it and perhaps even leaving it in his crate or on his day bed so he can familiarise himself with it might be a though?  I don't know, as you say the lead probably just means scary lift.  The thing is our lifts are scary and one door closes very suddenly and catches people, I do not travel in that one but he has seen it and it obviously has made him even more nervous!:rolleyes:
Just need to win the lottery : - )
Well thank you very much for your extremely helpful advice, I now at least have a plan of attack.

many thanks xx