Dog Trainer Alex Sessa Offers Tips to Overcome Freezing Behaviors on Walks
Dog trainer Alex Sessa, founder of Peach on a Leash, has shared insights on a common issue among puppies and adolescent dogs - freezing behaviors during walks. These can manifest as slow walking, frequent pauses, or complete stops. Sessa offers practical tips to help dogs overcome this issue.
Sessa advises avoiding on-leash greetings with other dogs and people to prevent unexpected squabbles and frustration. If a dog struggles with confidence on walks, seeking help from a qualified trainer is recommended. The expert featured in Peach on a Leash's Instagram video, Ashley Haley, supports this advice.
Sessa suggests three strategies to help dogs who freeze on walks. Firstly, bring food for rewards to encourage positive behaviors. Secondly, be strategic about walk locations and duration. Keeping walks short and fun, and avoiding heavily trafficked areas initially, can help reduce freezing behaviors. Lastly, reward dogs for noticing things they're curious or concerned about to condition positive emotional responses.
Sessa believes helping dogs learn that the world is safe and predictable can reduce freezing behaviors. Teaching dogs to feel calm and confident on walks takes time, patience, and consistency. Gradually working closer to busier areas can help dogs build confidence in more challenging environments.
Alex Sessa's tips for managing freezing behaviors in dogs include avoiding on-leash greetings, strategizing walk locations and duration, and rewarding positive behaviors. With patience and consistency, dogs can learn to feel safe and confident on walks, reducing freezing behaviors and enhancing their overall well-being.
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