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Dr. Ben Willcocks

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Rescue puppy terrified of lead and being picked up 

Dear Dr Willcocks,

I hope this email finds you well!

We recently adopted a now 14-week old labrador x kelpie.

He is a gorgeous boy but is also incredibly shy. It has taken him a few weeks to get comfortable just with his new home and with us. he has come along in leaps and bounds and now loves to play chasings, tug-of-war and sit on the couch for a cuddle. However one thing that has not changed is his hatred both of the lead and of being picked up. He is also quite shy around new people, although loves other dogs.

This obviously makes it difficult for us to take him anywhere or really start to socialise him. Do you have any suggestions for us?

Thanks so much,

Amanda

Answered Thursday 17 July 2014

Hi Amanda, 

Sounds like he has a lot of kelpie in him :) Hopefully the labrador he has in him has a taste for treats? Treats will now be your new friend. Have your friends and strangers give your pup treats whenever they can to get him used to the idea that strangers have a positive association. 

Do the same thing with all things he's currently struggling with, being on the lead, being around other people, and so on. Have a read of this article, it may help!! 

http://www.vetico.com.au/article/socialising-your-pup-321

Dr Ben

(If you don’t get a response back, pop your comments/question as a thread on the Vetico forums, and a team of Vets will help you out.)

Pet Expert

Dr. Ben Willcocks

Ben Willcocks believes you can never learn too much about your pet.

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