boxer - frightened shakes

Question
QUESTION: we have a 1 1/2 year old boxer, that is extremely well behaved and has been a joy to our famoly and neighbors.  this past weekend I attempted to take out for a walk since the weather is slowly improving.  before i can get his collar on, he begins to shake/quiver.  he loves rides in the car (even to the vet) so i can't equate it to that.  we took a few steps out the door, and he wanted to turn around a go back in.  the following day i got him about a hundred feet sown the street and he wanted to turn up a side street to go back home.  i wanted us to continue for a longer distance.  we stood there for 5 minutes at a stand-still.  occaisonally i would lightly tug his leash and command him to come.  to no avail. I finally picked him up and carried him away from the intersection.  as soon as i put him down, he started prancing like nothing ever happened or bothered him.  he was perfect the rest of the way.
i'm very confused.  we have never had any confromtations with "bad" dogs or any wild animals.  absolutely no frightening or dangerous experieinces outside at all.
this morning i asked out loud, "let's go out for a walk", and the shaking started immediately again.  he never did this during the fall or summer seasons last year.  very odd.

ANSWER: Jimmy, it is not very odd.

The leash walks should have began when he was around 6 months old. Putting a leash on him in the house and back yard even younger.

His leash walks should have started at 6 months old when puppies are not afraid of anything. By 1 1/2 he would not be afraid of the noise and cars and movements.

All you can do now is leash walk him in the back yard, and possibly take him in the car with leash on, to a dog park. Walk him in that controlled environment (no cars, no noises)...

Or, if possible, out in the country on a friend or family's land where they isn't any cars and noise and movement.

Once he is used to the leashed walks, gradually begin leashed walks in your neighborhood: just directly in front of your own house back and forth and no further. This allows him to get used to the exterior noises and movements, but helps him to feel safe with his house right there as his safety net.

Once this is second nature to him and he's enjoying it, you can venture down the block and back to your house/yard.

Gradual episodes. If he should shake, comfort him. give him a special treat, speak to him in a reassuring voice, calmly. But don't force him except for a moment, then take him home. Gradual and mutual trust must be established first before it works.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry for not explaining all of the details.  We have been walking him around the neighborhood since he was 3-4 months old.  Never any problem(s), we've also trained to heal when cars drive by, and he does it all on his own now.  We praise him numerous times through the entire walk.

Answer
Jimmy,

This is strange. Since you've walked him at an early age and say there hasn't been any confrontations, there shouldn't be any reason for his fear.

Shaking and quivering is a sign of fear.

Has there been any change at all in the family? Any little thing is a change. Routine, additional pets, new baby, anything?

Let me know so I can access this further.