Any advice welcome!

[Flobo]

As you know I do one to one walking and consequently have a variety of special hounds in my life! I have recently taken on a new Romanian rescue(a shepherd type cross) she is settled in her home but has not been walked by anyone other than family.

A quick bit of background - I walk a few dogs that live on the same road as her and so she is familiar with me, always pleased to see me and have a treat when I'm out with one of her neighbours. With my new ones I always do a step by step process, home visit to take as many details as possible and obviously to meet the dog properly, then progress to going for a walk with the owner and dog a couple of times, then come to walk dog whilst owner is home. I don't progress to coming into empty house to walk any dog before these steps are comfortable for both of us.
Here's where I need a bit of advice, she's very guardy in doors but is happy when I turn up, a quick bark through the window then she runs to front door to greet me. She went to leave with me from the first home visit, good sign! She was happy me walking with her and owner, she leaves the house with me for a walk, all good. But she is worried once we get on to the pavement, she'll walk a couple of steps and stop but will continue, when she chooses, for a treat with gentle verbal encouragement.

The first walk we got all the way to the park( it is only a 5 minute walk away), slowly but surely, lots of fuss and well dones and we headed back home.
The second walk we got about half way.
The third walk we only managed a few steps away from house so I took her home again. Every time she is always really happy to leave the house with me. And every time I am leaving her to choose to take a treat and walk a step or two, when she decides to not step forward for a treat I take her home.

I'm doing these trials once a week at the moment, but I'm wondering whether I should continue the way I am or do you think I should take the steps all the way back to going for a walk with the owner a few more times? Maybe with me holding her lead?
Or any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Hemlock]

I think you are right on the button - it's all a bit quick for her yet, and possibly sttreets were bad places where she came from.

If her owner is agreeable, I think there is value in going to get her, then sitting by the gate and watching the world go by. Stepping out of the gate then going straight back in. Out of the gate, two or three steps, back in. So she gets her confidence at a gentler speed and knows she can step back in at any time.

I did this with a non-rescue beautifully cared for pup that had been with her very good owners since 8 weeks and never been frightened by outside. Confidence is a strange thing.

 

[Flobo]

Thankyou @Hemlock that sounds like a perfect plan.
Her owner is lovely and just would love to see her dog walk happily without her so I'll have a chat with her this week and we can give it a try.

 

[Flobo]

Gosh didn't realize this was so long ago! Thought I'd give an update...

I took it all the way back, almost, to the beginning. I would turn up at the house, everyone was out, and just say hi to her and let her out in to the garden. I'd just sit with her then, offer her some Reiki and keep her company. I did this for the next few weeks, she was totally happy with me being there and we were able to start building a stress free relationship; I just totally took the worry out for her of me turning up and taking her out for a walk, or taking her away from her home...
After this period I offered her a walk and we went as far as she wanted, which was all the way to the park again, with no stops or looking back, which was lovely, and she felt much more confident and didn't hesitate.
Every week I walk her now, we either go to the park or do a street walk, she chooses. Once she's had her wee and gone as far or short a distance as she wants we head back. Cup of tea for me and Reiki time for her! This seems to be the routine she's happy with so that's what we're doing. And if one day she chooses to stay out for a long walk, great, but if not it's not the end of the world eh!

Working with this family and being able to work out a plan that best suits their dog has been wonderful!

 

[Tinytom]

I wish there were more dog walkers like you Flobo who really love their job and the dogs ....my friend Ro is just the same ...
Well done you ....xxx

 

[Hemlock]

Doesn't your good work show how important it is to listen to the dog! What a lovely success.

 

[Flobo]

Doesn't your good work show how important it is to listen to the dog!

You hit the nail right on the head there! It is vital, absolutely, to take the time to listen and I am so lucky that, with all my clients that have come my way, they also appreciate this fact and trust me to work accordingly.

 

[Feverfew]

Gosh didn't realize this was so long ago! Thought I'd give an update...

I took it all the way back, almost, to the beginning. I would turn up at the house, everyone was out, and just say hi to her and let her out in to the garden. I'd just sit with her then, offer her some Reiki and keep her company. I did this for the next few weeks, she was totally happy with me being there and we were able to start building a stress free relationship; I just totally took the worry out for her of me turning up and taking her out for a walk, or taking her away from her home...
After this period I offered her a walk and we went as far as she wanted, which was all the way to the park again, with no stops or looking back, which was lovely, and she felt much more confident and didn't hesitate.
Every week I walk her now, we either go to the park or do a street walk, she chooses. Once she's had her wee and gone as far or short a distance as she wants we head back. Cup of tea for me and Reiki time for her! This seems to be the routine she's happy with so that's what we're doing. And if one day she chooses to stay out for a long walk, great, but if not it's not the end of the world eh!

Working with this family and being able to work out a plan that best suits their dog has been wonderful!

That does indeed sound wonderful. As someone who lives with a highly sensitive Romanian dog, if I. ever needed a dog walker I would very much wish for one like you!