Border collie scared to go on walks

[Bordercolliehelpneeded]

Help - our ten year old border collie is scared to go on walks.

There’s been a death in the family and combined with fireworks/ crow scarers/ shooting season, she’s now refusing to go for walks. She’s done this before but this is going on longer ( and in part, could really do with her going for a walk to help with the grief for the humans)

Really keen until outside the house/ car and about two/ three feet, stops and wants to return. Tried different places - same result.

Not food oriented ( eats her own food but not a treats dog), adores balls - but these become irrelevant. She’s genuinely scared - tail clamped, sometimes trembling.

Otherwise, she’s healthy - coat is amazing. She has slowed down but normally will happily go for a walk. Not sure how she’s made sense of the death but is bright and friendly in the house.

Any advice?

II am so sorry for your lose

Nose phobia in collies is really really common.

You need to walk here away from areas where she may hear the bird scarers.

If she has quiet walks she may then be able to walk in areas that she has heard nose BUT if they are still firing do not walk there.

Nose phobia generally get worse with age.

It would be good to have a session with a behavourist who alongside a vet may be able to help with the intial walks. She may need medication to help.

I would take the pressure off the idea of 'walking'. Go somewhere quiet and just let her sit in the boot of the car with the door open and you with her and let her observe. If she wants to get out then do if she doesn't then she doesn't.

Take something super high value like steak and do this before breakfast so she's hungry. If she won't take food then she's likely very stressed. When she starts taking food you'll know she's getting more comfortable.

Slowly let her explore further as she gets more confident. Don't worry about how far you go and she should start building her enjoyment again. Regularly reward her to keep her confidence up. But keep the food really high value which is irresistible

Thank you - we’ll give the suggestions a go.

I would just let her potter about the garden if she's happy doing that. Scent games and some fun tricks. Take the pressure off completely for a few weeks and let her just readjust and get her cortisol levels down.