Refusing to walk

[Kate]

Our 9 month old golden retriever puppy doesn't enjoy going for walks on the lead. Initially, when he was younger, he would flop flat on the foot-path while we were trying to walk him. To stop him we bought a gentle leader which helped a lot.
Recently we had another older golden retriever to stay with us for 8 weeks. Our puppy was fine walking with the other dog. However, he was always apprehensive before going out and doesn't like the gentle leader.
While the dogs were together, they were attacked by 2 boxers and our puppy was very shocked.
Now that the other dog has gone home, our puppy refuses to walk and runs away when we take the lead outside. We have tried taking treats with us to persuade him to walk but he refuses.

What should we do to get out puppy to walk properly on the lead?

[prolibertate]

Have you tried using a halter rather than a collar or gentle-leader? Many dogs don't like the restricted feeling of anything around their neck or muzzle, and if your puppy isn't a puller or lunger when walking, a halter might work well. Also, he may need some socialization to get him used to being around other dogs; a puppy class would do wonders. he may need some counter-conditioning to get over his apprehension created by the bulldogs. also, counter-conditioning might work well to get him to not balk when going outside.

Try fitting him with his halter in short increments, in a place away from the outside doors. Feed him treats and talk gently to him while putting the halter on and taking it off. Once he appears comfortable in the halter, walk him around the house on the leash. This might take a week or two, but he needs to be comfortable on the halter or lead in his familiar surroundings before you can take him outside.

If he's apprehensive about going outside, try taking him out in the back yard on the leash first, then graduating to going for a walk from there. Then you can add on teaching him to go out the front door for a walk. Always remember to not coddle a dog when he's fearful, as coddling him makes him believe there's something to be fearful of. If you act like everything's fine, your dog will realize that it's okay also. Best of luck!