6 month old working cocker frightened of traffic

[goodthinking99]

Our 6 month old working cocker spaniel is really settling in, enjoying walks off the lead, rooting around the garden, and snoozing on the sofa. She pulls on the lead, which I believe is quite common for the breed, but we're working on loose lead walking and it is getting better on quiet streets. The issue is that she's scared of traffic noise and so gets really anxious when we need to walk near traffic. I've been trying to build up her tolerance slowly with treats, praise and distraction, but don't seem to be making much progress. Is this something that will improve as she gets older and more confident, or is there more I should be doing now to make sure she feels confident?

Mine has been like that but tbh we don't walk near lots of traffic much so it isn't totally unexpected although he has got better with age.

If we have to walk along busy roads I always make sure he is as far away from the road part as possible which helps so I walk on the side nearest the cars.

Have you tried sitting on a bench with her near relatively quiet road, and rewarding her when a car approaches? She should then associate the noise of traffic with something good (treats) and eventually, you'll be able to build up the exposure and she'll be able to walk next to roads without getting worried.

Thanks Bitey, I always try to keep her to the inside of the pavement with me nearest the cars and I think that helps. And I'm trying the slow build up to traffic by sitting and giving treats as cars go past, after we've had a good off lead walk, icedcoffee, maybe I'm just expecting too much too quickly. I'll keep going with that.

Thanks Bitey, I always try to keep her to the inside of the pavement with me nearest the cars and I think that helps. And I'm trying the slow build up to traffic by sitting and giving treats as cars go past, after we've had a good off lead walk, icedcoffee, maybe I'm just expecting too much too quickly. I'll keep going with that.

Thanks Bitey, I always try to keep her to the inside of the pavement with me nearest the cars and I think that helps. And I'm trying the slow build up to traffic by sitting and giving treats as cars go past, after we've had a good off lead walk, icedcoffee, maybe I'm just expecting too much too quickly. I'll keep going with that.

When you are watching the traffic do make sure that you are as far away as possible. If she is showing any slight stress reaction you are too close.

Also watch how you are giving the treats. Car can be heard treat and treat until car disappears. Do not treat if no cars or no sound of cars.

Also the smell and air movement can be very worrying for smaller dogs it may be you have to work on this as well.

Keep the sessions very very short maybe only a minute or two to start with.

Thanks polly, sound advice. I think I'm trying to move things too quickly. We need to go past a junction that is sometimes noisier to get to the park for our evening walk, what would you suggest? Avoid completely, or some other way of getting past? I have carried her occasionally. Aside from this she seems very content.

No expert but our pup hated traffic on her first walk out so we took her home, got her comfy and relaxed and put a traffic noise playlist (YouTube has them) on quietly then slowly turned it up, lots of praise / fuss of course.
Might be coincidence but she was much better on walk 2

That's a good idea dash. I'll get the traffic noise cranked up in the living room

@goodthinking99 Don't forget to teach her the Green Cross Code....she has to wait until the jolly green giant turns up with a tin of sweetcorn then cross the road! I think that's how it goes anyway...