Dog refuses to walk
Discussion
3 year old Black lab (had her from 8 weeks)
I've had to carry her to the park on more than one occasion - 5 minute walk (when you haven't got a 28kg lab in a fireman's lift). Must have been quite a sight.
Usually we drive, because its easier.
When we get to the park shes fine. Loves chasing balls, sniffing, and generally doing what dogs do. Although she has certain routes that she won't do - these changes slightly day by day. If she lies down and waits, shes not going that way....
Try to walk though (as in to the park - She will walk at the park) - and she freezes. Tail goes right down. Treats dont work - I've tried dog treats, sausage and even steak.
Although she will walk home fine, on the occasions we've had a lift.
Always used to walk around the block and that was fine, although she pulled like a train.
Shes a bit nervous in her general demeanor, but quite happy to run up to other dogs previously, but not really bothered anymore (although not afraid, more wary - quick sniff and she's done). She has one best friend dog who she absolutely worships.
Recently she's taken to trying to hide in the boot of the car and can't be enticed out- but when she's lifted out all is fine. Previously she'd bound out of the car.
Any ideas? Tips? Youtube videos?
I've had to carry her to the park on more than one occasion - 5 minute walk (when you haven't got a 28kg lab in a fireman's lift). Must have been quite a sight.
Usually we drive, because its easier.
When we get to the park shes fine. Loves chasing balls, sniffing, and generally doing what dogs do. Although she has certain routes that she won't do - these changes slightly day by day. If she lies down and waits, shes not going that way....
Try to walk though (as in to the park - She will walk at the park) - and she freezes. Tail goes right down. Treats dont work - I've tried dog treats, sausage and even steak.
Although she will walk home fine, on the occasions we've had a lift.
Always used to walk around the block and that was fine, although she pulled like a train.
Shes a bit nervous in her general demeanor, but quite happy to run up to other dogs previously, but not really bothered anymore (although not afraid, more wary - quick sniff and she's done). She has one best friend dog who she absolutely worships.
Recently she's taken to trying to hide in the boot of the car and can't be enticed out- but when she's lifted out all is fine. Previously she'd bound out of the car.
Any ideas? Tips? Youtube videos?
Edited by johnboy1975 on Monday 4th January 21:39
Edited by johnboy1975 on Monday 4th January 23:42
Caddyshack said:
I would think maybe take her out of the front door and straight back in then a treat, next day a little further and so on or stand outside front door and back in and repeat etc...probably some form of anxiety on leaving the house it protects? (I am not an expert though)
Yeah there's definately some anxiety / mental health things going on.Cheers, will try that
Shes fine leaving the house BTW, will queue up by the door at the w word, but still nervous. Sometimes she's absolutely shaking. And refusing treats at this point. But will race out to the car, and sit by the boot
On walks she will sometimes take a treat off me, sometimes not. 50/50. My female friend has a higher success rate (95/5).
She goes mental (happy, barking, tail wagging) for 2 things. My wife, and her best doggie friend. Oh and she's quite excited by the postman. And enthusiastically greets every visitor, especially women.
And one thing she's done from a puppy, she'll leave a full bowl of dog food for 15 minutes - 1hr, then wolf it down. I can count on the fingers of one hand she's ate it straight away (4/5 out of 1000). Which is most unlike a lab (insert amusing tale about your own lab here). But she has a healthy appetite and is very treat driven around the house, and is a shameless beggar
Very odd all round
Evoluzione said:
Doesn't mind them 
davhill said:
Can you find any aspect(s) common to the places where she won't go?
Similarly, is she reacting to some specific sound or smell?
It suggests a reaction to something traumatic in the past and the behaviour hasn't yet extinguished.
Thanks. This is broadly what I'm thinking. There used to be a dig barking under a gate, which she wasn't keen on, but that stopped last year (potential sad face Similarly, is she reacting to some specific sound or smell?
It suggests a reaction to something traumatic in the past and the behaviour hasn't yet extinguished.
) but she would still go past it.When she was about 10 wks she slipped her lead and ran back home. But again, didn't stop her walking at that stage.
Sy1441 said:
Had this with our chocolate lab. Didn't find a solution but was often seen dragging him for 100 yards along the ground by his harness haha.
Pretty much where I am when the car isn't available. Did try harness (usually collar) but she digs in harderTake it choke collars aren't recommended these days?
How about a haltie? Used in the past, but more for pulling, rather than starting off, so I suspect no dice.
johnboy1975 said:
Take it choke collars aren't recommended these days?
How about a haltie? Used in the past, but more for pulling, rather than starting off, so I suspect no dice.
No, definitely don't go for a choke chain.How about a haltie? Used in the past, but more for pulling, rather than starting off, so I suspect no dice.
I used a Halti harness on one very nervous dog I had, with a double ended lead. The harness has an extra clip on the front that you can clip to their collar for extra security.
One of these:
https://fetch.co.uk/halti-front-control-dog-traini...
With one of these:
https://fetch.co.uk/halti-double-ended-dog-lead-bl...
boyse7en said:
There was a dog training program on TV last week (called something like 12 Puppies and Us) that had a similar issue with a french bulldog that wouldn't walk when outside. They got a dog trainer/psychologist in. Might be worth looking it out to pinch some of their techniques.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qf47/12-puppies-and-us-series-1-episode-6This is the one with the non walking bulldog
Our 7 yo Jack Russell Terrier is the same. She will not walk out of the house on her own. Take her out in the car somewhere and she will go for hours, without issue!
We recently got another dog (German Wire Haired Pointer) who loves to walk. Now she wont let us leave the house without her and she loves her walks now.
We reckon its to do with her being anxious. We don’t know what about, but have a suspicion it might be other dogs. She is very defensive when she sees another dog go passed.
So basically, you need to get another dog.
We recently got another dog (German Wire Haired Pointer) who loves to walk. Now she wont let us leave the house without her and she loves her walks now.
We reckon its to do with her being anxious. We don’t know what about, but have a suspicion it might be other dogs. She is very defensive when she sees another dog go passed.
So basically, you need to get another dog.
georgefreeman918 said:
Our 7 yo Jack Russell Terrier is the same. She will not walk out of the house on her own. Take her out in the car somewhere and she will go for hours, without issue!
We recently got another dog (German Wire Haired Pointer) who loves to walk. Now she wont let us leave the house without her and she loves her walks now.
We reckon its to do with her being anxious. We don’t know what about, but have a suspicion it might be other dogs. She is very defensive when she sees another dog go passed.
So basically, you need to get another dog.
Thanks all, CBA to multiquote again (phone) but I will watch those shows with interest. At puppy training, she responded better to the instructor than me. I've tried a high(er) pitch, but she seems female orientated. Wife has tried with similar results, but she doesn't do the walks, so not unreasonable to deduce that the dog worked it out.We recently got another dog (German Wire Haired Pointer) who loves to walk. Now she wont let us leave the house without her and she loves her walks now.
We reckon its to do with her being anxious. We don’t know what about, but have a suspicion it might be other dogs. She is very defensive when she sees another dog go passed.
So basically, you need to get another dog.
The dog suggestion i have thought of. Wife says no, but I'm surreptitiously on the look out.
Other consideration is to borrow her bestie for a day or so and see how we get on, but she is very dependant on her owner. But think I might get them out the house. Although she did refuse under exactly those conditions on one of the 3/4 times she has point blank refused to move. So IDK
MYOB said:
Sounds like she's trying to tell you she doesn't want to walk to the park and wants you to drive her. Some dogs absolutely love being in the boot of a car, hence the difficulties in getting her out.
Yep she's certainly telling me that Re loving the boot, partly true, but she's displaying fear/anxiety when trying to get her out (shrinks into the corner, shaking, tail down), which is a new thing for her, and goes away completely once out
I can drive again from today after a cataract op and new glasses, so I think I'm back to driving because its easier.
(Will watch those shows with interest though, as I said)
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