Showing Fearful Behavior

[Giselle]

If a dog doesn't take treats in public, there are two main reasons:
1) the treat isn't high value enough for the situation. Wheaty, floury biscuits may work well in the house, but you need something yummier for high-distraction environments.
2) the dog is too stressed and/or overwhelmed to eat. This ties in with #1.

Most dogs need time to adjust in their environment before they "come back down to earth". Many dogs refuse to drink because of reason #2, too. If Chopper refuses to eat and drink in public, #2 is probably the culprit.

If you really want to eradicate the behavior, take Chopper out to a public place and just sit there. Let him soak in everything and let him adjust to his surroundings. When he has reached a calmer mindset, you can start actively training him and asking strangers to toss him high value treats (i.e. boiled chicken, baked liver, crumbled beef, etc). P.S. A clicker works well for these situations!

[Pam]

If a dog doesn't take treats in public, there are two main reasons:
1) the treat isn't high value enough for the situation. Wheaty, floury biscuits may work well in the house, but you need something yummier for high-distraction environments.

That is true! I had forgotten that our instructor at obedience school said to bring something tasty like little pieces of hot dogs to class. Bella was not hesitant to eat them at all. LOL! At the vet's office or at the groomer, or even the drive-through at the bank, they offer dry floury biscuits.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

I believe it could be related to anxiety as the normal place here that offers a treat is the vets office and he will not take them regardless of what kind they are. He loves bologna so I will cut up teeny tiny pieces of that and take them with me and have them offer that. I have never seen him turn down bologna. I guess I better take some wipes too so people can clean their hands afterwards LOL. I will definitely give this a try this weekend when we go out to the Harley dealer. Thanks for the advice.