Dog suddenly doesn't like harness with walkers?
Hey everyone, I want to get some other ideas for this problem. I used to walk an adorable dog up until a couple weeks ago when I sprained my foot. While I was healing up, the owner had a neighbor walk her dog although the dog doesn't seem to like this neighbor that much. Anyways, while I was healing, the poor dog got sick and had to go to the hospital. Since she's been back, she's been having issues with other people (she's completely fine with her owners) try to put the harness on her. Before she was completely fine with it. I tried today and she kept trying to get out of it and wouldn't let me put it on at all. The neighbor she tried to snap at when she did.
The owner and I are trying to figure out the sudden behavior change, and I'm wondering if it's just cause she's tired and cranky from not eating a lot/being in stress from the hospital? Besides the harness, the dog is completely fine and behaves wonderfully as usual. I'm hoping this is just a short-term crankiness. The owner and I are trying tomorrow to see if the owner keeps the harness on when I come, if the dog will be fine with me just clipping the leash on. I'm thinking she will be better about it. But I was wondering if anyone else has some thoughts or could give any other advice?
How often do you see her? You could attempt positive reinforcement training w/ treats, but what I am beginning to learn is that training takes so much more time + patience + consistency than we have as temp helpers, Ive started to just (safely) go w/ dogs' flow rather than trying to modify.
w/ the caveat that all of the above is based on the assumption that this issue potentially continues, and that maybe something might've happened w/ the problematic neighbor to precipitate it. ...
I have a frenchie I care for who tries to play a chase game w/ his harness, and I keep trying to disrupt it w/ treats plus disengagement. It's worked for getting the harness on, but not for interrupting the game. ...
but also maybe your babe's evasive behavior might be easier to modify since it's still very new, and maybe hasnt fully set as a ritual