Anxiety can adversely impact a fur baby’s quality of life which is why having a pet pup at home that is too frightened to go outside for walks can be of much concern. And in some cases, a puppy can be resentful about the whole idea of walking. In both cases, the puppy and its parent can be under immense physical and emotional stress.
Some common reasons for a puppy’s resistance to go out, discover places and meet and greet people are lack of early socialization, dreadful past experiences, separation anxiety, age, genetic makeup, etc. Talk to your vet about why your pet puppy may be apprehensive about getting out of the house for an innocent walk.
Most puppy parents can easily afford regular vet visit costs; however, they may find it challenging to manage hefty vet visit bills through unscheduled vet visits during pet allergies, accidents, injuries, specific illnesses, dental issues, and health emergencies. The best pet insurance can significantly lower your pet health expenses while providing your pupper broader health coverage.
Consider your little furry fella’s health needs, budget, and pet insurance cost so you can buy the best-fit plan. In the meantime, learn how you can coax your puppy, so they agree to join you for a brief walk.
#1 Observe your puppy over a period to understand what triggers fear in them. For instance, it can be strangers walking by, loud noises, traffic, busy areas, other creatures, etc. Even when you can’t eliminate the triggers, you can find ways to avoid them. Suppose your doggo hates to walk in crowded parks; you can explore a walking loop that may be devoid of distractions and has fewer commuters.
#2 Stay close to your pet so they feel secure around busy streets or other chattery pets. Puppy must be in your protection while crossing roads, especially those that have heavy traffic; ensure they are on a leash and not let loose in public places.
#3 In the beginning, you may have to take the walking routes your fur baby is comfortable walking on. Once your furry little friend gets confident about strolling, you can slowly introduce them to new paths they may be interested in. Of course, keep in mind that the new walking places don’t harbor any detrimental factors for your dog’s mental health.
#4 To make your furry pet get used to the walking routine, plan short walks in the morning and early evening. The point here is your puppy must look forward to going for a stroll and find it a pleasurable activity. Long walks right at the start can stress out your furry companion, eventually making them dislike the whole idea of heading out.
#5 Also, carry some treats; they may come in handy when your four paws need some encouragement to meet their walking goals. Use them effectively for positive reinforcement. Treats can enhance your fur baby’s mood, reduce stress, and help them pay attention to your instructions.
#6 Another alternative that can work wonders is offering your puppy lickable food items like peanut butter or cream cheese in a tube. The rationale behind this idea is to enable your pupper to positively associate these with the walking activity. So, for a fun and appealing walking experience, include your pup’s favorites in the walking plan.
#7 You can have brief warm-up sessions before leaving for a stroll in the neighborhood. It is one way to exhaust your puppy so they have less pent-up energy to deal with while venturing out.
While these are some ways to get your furry baby out of hiding, sometimes nothing may seem to work. You can discuss your puppy’s behavioral issues with your vet and follow their advice to set them on the right behavioral path. Also, know that even with the best pet insurance, behavioral problems will not be covered. Check the health benefits of a policy and pet insurance cost so you can purchase the right cover for your puppy.
