Why Does My Dog Freeze on Walks?
While out on your routine walk, does your dog ever stop or “freeze” with no explanation? Unfortunately, they are not playing a round of freeze tag; when dogs freeze up, it can mean they’re overwhelmed by the situation around them. The American Kennel Club describes this phenomenon as “shutting down,” a warning sign that the dog is so stressed that it can’t be present in the environment. Yanking on their leash to keep them moving is not a helpful action. Use this article as a guide to prevent further freezing during your walks!
Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fooling Around?
We all know the three F’s for fear; however, dogs have four reactions to fear: Fight, flight, freeze, and/or fooling around. Freezing is initially caused by fear, so it’s quintessential to realize the underlying issue. Dogs freeze so they can stop to assess the situation; they could sense a larger animal around or another danger. Monitor Fido’s behaviors throughout walk in other environments and take note if there are any recurring triggers for this behavior. Also, dogs feed off of their owner’s energy, so your pet will feel the same if you’re anxious during the walk.
Freezing Prevention
Dogs who trust their human and their ability to keep them safe are less likely to freeze during walks. Building confidence within you and your furry friend is the best way to prevent further freezes on your trips. Another option is to keep a log of triggers or locations to avoid these incidents in the future. Log where the freeze occurred, when it happened, what triggered them, and how Fido reacted to the stimulus. Although avoiding every squirrel or larger dog is impossible, you can certainly try your best as their human!
Check out these related articles for more dog-walking tips!
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