DOG NOT WANTING TO GO FOR A WALK

Question
QUESTION: I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD SHORT HAIRED BORDER COLLIE WHO UP UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO WOULD WALK FOR MILES WITH ME,NOW SHE GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKS 50 YARDS AND STOPS,YOU CAN NOT GET HER TO MOVE.SHE STILL WILL RUN AROUND THE GARDEN CHASING BALLS OR EVEN HEARD THE CATTLE ON A FRIENDS FARM BUT JUST REFUSES TO GO WALKING ON THE BEACH.WHAT CAN WE DO ANY ADVICE WOULD BE VERY WELLCOME.HAVE TRIED USING TREATS AND THROWING HER BALL,WHICH SHE WILL CHASE AND BRING BACK TO THE CAR BUT NOT CARRY ON ANY FURTHER.

ANSWER: Hello Matthew:

Did something happen previously on a trip to the beach?

It is strange that she will chase and return with a ball at the beach but not walk.

However a Border is usually very ball orientated, but I can not understand the willingness to chase a ball on the beach but not walk.

Could it be the leash it's self, you mention herding and ballchasing all off leash things, but do not say if she will still walk on a leash else where.

I would suggest, carry on trying, make sure the collar is firmly attached, when she gets to the point where she shuts down, calmly with as few words as possible, give a gentle pull, if she steps forward, praise, and move out again with a gentle pull and wait for the slack and step forward on her part and praise again.

If she goes into panic mode, just stand your ground and wait for panic to subside, when it does take a few steps forward again, and wait for the forward motion praise and step again.

You are attempting to move her though that mental block, that is telling her not to walk on the beach.

Also try entering the beach area from another direction, if possible.

You are looking for the object, sound or smell, that shuts her down, different routes, will possibly help you discover what it is that.

The fact that she will chase a ball, but not walk can indicate either a leash issue or a trust issue with you, in that on leash her movements and ability to flee is restricted.  However at 4 years old with no prior problems, I am thinking it's more of a reaction to an incident and it is possible that incident happened on leash.

To narrow it down - does she walk on leash in other areas?



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

QUESTION: SHE WILL NOT WALK WITHOUT THE LEASH ON,AND IT NOT JUST AT THE BEACH,HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PLACES WHER SHE WAS HAPPY TO GO BEFORE.THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN WE WERRE OUT WALKING WHEN GUNS WENT OFF[DUCK SHOOTING SEASON IS ON HERE AT THE MOMENT]AND SHE WAS SCARED AND WANTED TO HEAD BACK TO THE CAR.AT HOME THE ONLY THING THAT HAS CHANGED WAS THAT WE GOT A KITTEN,BUT THIS WAS  8 WEEKS BEFORE SHE STOPED WALKING,THEY SEEM TO GET ON OKAY NOW.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

Answer
I am going to say it's the Gun Fire, I assume this happened on a walk on leash, and she is too nervous to get too far away from the safety of the car, as you mention she is also doing this in other areas where she would walk before, if the timing with the gun fire experience is right I'd say that's the issue.