My dog tends to get spooked over randomthings, it could be a bug, or a far off noise or, something I can't identify.

I just keep a happy upbeat demeanor and go about my business, ignoring him if he is shut down or cowering. This seems to help him get over it more quickly.

My wife just took Louie on a walk... errr "tried" to take him on a walk. After he peed by the front of the building, he refused to turn the corner to continue on the walk (regular path.. not a new route or anything). She tried popping his leash but he just shut down and sat on the ground. Would not respond at all. After 5 minutes she took him back in and he's fine in his crate now. He has been showing recently that he wants to go back in directly after peeing these last couple of days, but we were able to convince him to continue on his 2 previous walks earlier today (1 with my wife and 1 with me). Insight please? Because we're baffled. Thanks.

Is he feeling better now, maybe that? Have you tried encouraging him onward with the walk using treats or toy and fun tone?

I have to say, Simon, my hat down for you! I don't really have any ideas on how to help your dog, I just wanted to tell you that I am impressed at how patient you have been with this guy. Best of luck!

He didn't want to go for a walk. I'm guessing home is his secure place ^.^ A correction was the bad idea. You have to encourage this dog not shut him down. Bring a treat he likes and wait him out next time. Another option is getting him in the car... going a block so he doesn't know where he is and then starting the walk.

He's feeling better now, diarrhea free for a day and a half. This behavior did first start when he was going through the diarrhea, so maybe he is still recovering.

His crate is his safe haven. He still spends most of the day there willingly. He'll come out once in awhile with his tail wagging to greet us and wonder around, but will retreat back to the crate in less than a minute.

He still has low food drive and zero play drive. So distracting/luring with a food (even high value) or toy has literally NO effect, especially when we're outside with distractions (cars, people, wind, etc). And we have no car so driving him to another location isn't an option.

I'm all for positive praise and encouragement but I'm afraid to let him have his way all the time and establishing bad habits. So I'm constantly in the middle of picking whether to play caring caretaker vs firm pack leader and end up in many conundrums. So that's my dilemma. Hence me running here and posting asking you more experienced folks. I do appreciate all of your concern and advice though. We would be feeling much more helpless and frustrated without all your (everyone's) insight. Please keep them coming. We've got a lot to learn. Thanks!

How about if you bring the crate outside and have him walk to his crate? I mean put it somewhere you want him to go, like the corner of the street and have him see it. It may be a lot of hassle first but that's what he really wants, right? My little one has a crate with wheels and I LOVE it. Wherever we take them I just roll it out the door and toss it in the back of the van, you could just roll it down the street or somewhere else you want him.

If a correction causes him to shut down, then it is too high of a level.
Unless they are just out of control, or jumping, stealing food etc it is better to look for alternatives to a correction with a dog this sensitive.

Do you reward with something super yummy for coming out of the crate. I would offer him something really high value every time he comes out of the crate.

He might not accept it at first, but I bet he comes around.

Luring, like you were working on with the sit, can work for getting all sorts of behaviors including them moving when they are scared.


Are you feeding him in his crate?

If so I would consider feeding him out of the crate but very near it so he still feels he can retreat.

Have you tried any kind of stinky cheese (something like brie) or really strongly odored treats?

I ran into these and thought maybe it might help with some more ideas, esp marker training and motivation.

http://leerburg.com/dogtrainingpodcasts.htm