Gundog Training Forum

Bit of an odd one but my 4 year old sprocker who is terrified of fireworks is refusing to go out for a walk on an evening, started last November when we were out and someone let off some fireworks, the same thing happened the year before and he would refuse to walk but as the nights got lighter he returned to normal but this year he is still refusing to walk.
I can set off on an evening from my house and he will seem normal for a short distance then will suddenly stop and wants to go back, tail goes between his legs and is shaking, sometimes I can set off a different way and it works but more than often it won’t.
I’ve tried coaxing him with a ball or a treat but nothing works he is super stubborn, the only thing that sometimes works is if he can see someone walking past he will suddenly forget that he is scared.
If I can get him off the housing estate he is totally happy to be out, he is not a nervous dog normally in fact he’s probably bit to confident normally, pretty sure it’s all related to the time of day when he heard fireworks, not sure how to deal with this.

Keep walking and stay quiet even after he shows reluctance to continue. When he relaxes and walks confidently praise him lightly. You can start by using a decoy person to lure him pass the sticking points as you’ve indicated. Don’t coddle or reassure the reluctant or fearful dog. Praise and reassure the confident one.

Put him in the car and take him elsewhere to walk or find someone else to walk with for a while, preferably someone with a super-confident bitch.

If you go for the car option make sure the vehicle is parked off road and beside where you're walking him as it is possible he could run back to the car.