Hi Andrea, thanks for the reply, just tried taking Rusty for a walk and he has got even worse, I only just managed to get through the gate of the park this time and he went down on his tummy and wouldn't budge! I tried to ignore him and just stood there with my back to him for at least 5 minutes but he still wouldn't get up so i just turned back round to head for home and he got up like a shot, but if I started heading in the opposite direction from home he would just get on his tummy again, enough to say 'this is not the way home'!! I have just left a message for a dog training school to ask their advice, but like you said they can be noisey places and that would freak him out completely! I'm trying sooo hard Andrea I don't want to give up on him yet because he is such a lovely dog ( when he behaves ).

Esme