New to Presa breed

[NinaTag]

Hello. My Presa will be 6 mos in a little over a week. I've only had her for less than two weeks. Prior to our home she lived in a kennel her whole life. I try to take her for walks but she barely will go 10 feet from the property...she is scared (I think) of everything. She'll just stop dead in her tracks...and I have to pull on her and she just stands there. I thought that dog walking was a 'natural' thing but this has me confused. She plays and runs in the yard no problem.
Any suggestions??

 

[Nightspidy]

I'm still very new to Presa's myself, my pup I've only had a week today, but it sounds like she is afraid. Maybe try going a little further from the house each time. For example, with praise and encouragements (treats, pets, etc) get her to walk to the end of the driveway or if that is too much out the gate and a few steps. As she becomes more confident go a little further. Like I said, I'm new to this so perhaps some of the more experienced people can chime in here. Keep us posted

 

[alejandro]

She's probably overwhelm by all the new experiences, and also may be a bit of a nervious dog. Anyway the sugestion made by nightspidy it's correct, start little by little , rewarding any progress with lots of praise and treats, don't be too pushy let, her go at her own speed, but start as soon as posible cause a nervious presa it's a dangerous thing. She's gorgeous by the way. Good luck.

 

[NinaTag]

She's probably overwhelm by all the new experiences, and also may be a bit of a nervious dog. Anyway the sugestion made by nightspidy it's correct, start little by little , rewarding any progress with lots of praise and treats, don't be too pushy let, her go at her own speed, but start as soon as posible cause a nervious presa it's a dangerous thing. She's gorgeous by the way. Good luck.

Thanks Alejandro! After I read nightspidy's post it got me thinking how she is always energetic after she wakes up or if I have to leave her for a bit. So today after I came back home after a few hours, instead of letting her in the yard to pee I immediately leashed her and took her for a walk. Wow! To my shock it worked!!! She was trying to run! I'm so happy.

 

[NinaTag]

I'm still very new to Presa's myself, my pup I've only had a week today, but it sounds like she is afraid. Maybe try going a little further from the house each time. For example, with praise and encouragements (treats, pets, etc) get her to walk to the end of the driveway or if that is too much out the gate and a few steps. As she becomes more confident go a little further. Like I said, I'm new to this so perhaps some of the more experienced people can chime in here. Keep us posted

Nightspidy, thanks so much for the suggestion. Something I tried today worked really well. I explained in my last reply.

 

[Johnny G.]

Glad to see things are working out for you NinaTag. Going forward, Presa Canario is a stubborn breed so it will require you to have A LOT of patience.

 

[DennasMom]

Good work!

Sounds like she could benefit from some confidence boosters... try to introduce her to one new thing a day (toy, umbrella, noise, etc.), and one new place a week (store, park, neighborhood, etc.). Let her explore at her own pace and REWARD for curiosity and out-going behavior (ignore shy, cautious tendencies... just wait her out).

Obedience training is also a good confidence booster - as any new command is a reason for praise and rewards - and can give her a sense of knowing what you want, which means she can control her environment a bit.

If she's food motivated - keep treats handy and bribe where needed (you can always phase out bribes later when she's got her confidence back).

Enjoy your puppy!!