Dog walking problem

[blackscooby]

Some ideas would be appreciated.
Our 2 year old cavapoochon happily walks when there is myself and my better half...
However, when she's working and I take him out at lunch he simply will not walk for me.

Gets to the end of the drive, turns and sits down. I can get him to come to me with a treat, but then sits and turns away to face the house again.

When we both go out for a walk he just trots along nicely.

Working from home, it's nice to get out for a walk at lunch and leave the house for a bit.
We did have this a while ago where it wouldn't walk for me, when my other half was still in the house, but suddenly he snapped out of it and would walk perfectly.

Christmas has been and gone, and ever since Christmas he simply will not go out for a walk when it's just me, whether or not my other half is in the house or not.

I don't know who needs the help... me or the dog , I suspect me, but I don't know where to start !

[boombang]

Can you send the better half out separately before you go on the walk and come back after you return? See if the dog breaks the cycle by not thinking they are leaving someone behind and potentially encouraging them to go out to find them.

[Pothole]

Push him from behind. You are the alpha dog, he just needs reminding.

[popeyewhite]

"cavapoochon"?

[blackscooby]

boombang said:

Can you send the better half out separately before you go on the walk and come back after you return? See if the dog breaks the cycle by not thinking they are leaving someone behind and potentially encouraging them to go out to find them.

Today for example she's in work, so left this morning - still won't walk at lunch.

[blackscooby]

popeyewhite said:

"cavapoochon"?

basically a cross breed mutt, not pure bred.

[popeyewhite]

blackscooby said:

popeyewhite said:

"cavapoochon"?

basically a cross breed mutt, not pure bred.

The best kind!

[Challo]

blackscooby said:

Some ideas would be appreciated.
Our 2 year old cavapoochon happily walks when there is myself and my better half...
However, when she's working and I take him out at lunch he simply will not walk for me.

Gets to the end of the drive, turns and sits down. I can get him to come to me with a treat, but then sits and turns away to face the house again.

When we both go out for a walk he just trots along nicely.

Working from home, it's nice to get out for a walk at lunch and leave the house for a bit.
We did have this a while ago where it wouldn't walk for me, when my other half was still in the house, but suddenly he snapped out of it and would walk perfectly.

Christmas has been and gone, and ever since Christmas he simply will not go out for a walk when it's just me, whether or not my other half is in the house or not.

I don't know who needs the help... me or the dog , I suspect me, but I don't know where to start !

If your OH takes him out at lunch will he walk if your in the house?

Do you ever take him on your own in the morning / evening?

[blackscooby]

Challo said:

If your OH takes him out at lunch will he walk if your in the house?

Do you ever take him on your own in the morning / evening?

Will he walk if I'm in the house - yes !
Attempted to take him out on an evening, but never got off the drive is she's still in the house.

[superpp]

Our Golden Retriever sometimes does the same.
Quite random, seems to come in spells for day or so refusing some walks and then is fine for weeks.
When it happens it like the lead is tied around a huge boulder, she just won't budge unless it's to go back inside.

[Bumblebee7]

Can't help but following with interest. My wife and I recently dog sat my dads French bulldog. Brilliant walking with both of us, refuses to walk when it's just one of us. Wasn't a big problem as we had lots of time off over Xmas so we usually went out together and also took the dog to the beach. But there were occasions when I wanted to take the dog out when there was a break in the weather and after doing their business they just kept pulling to go back into the house.

[Don Veloci]

Can only speak for our pup (Now 10 months).

Wife works from home so he was primarily attached to her. Got to the stage he'd not move for me solo either. Quite frustrating.

Turns out I had to get much more assertive in tone and body language and he just had to get over it. I'm generally quiet voiced and laid back in attitude.

Wife happened to break her ankle which had her grounded for some time. So the dog had to get over it and get going with me pretty quickly.

[Unknown_User]

My dog will sometimes protest in a similar way, especially if he doesn't want to go in a particular direct. I gently hold his collar - not his lead - and manhandle him in the direction I want him to go. Once he realises we are going where I want him to go, then he will happily plod along. I think you are being challenged by your dog and letting him get his way might cause problems for you further down the line. How much does your dog weigh?

[Don Veloci]

The dog choosing the direction of walking is a recent trick. I tolerate to a point on routine round the estate walks but if he tries it on too much then sorry pal, you're not actually the alpha.

[blackscooby]

I wondered if it was an alpha thing. Quite possibly he thinks he's above me in the food chain !
I have (not recently) basically pulled on his collar to try and get him to walk and keep him walking, but all that does is basically make me look like a fool who is abusing his dog.

The dog just sits there in his "Nah mate I'm not moving", right up until I say "Lets go home, at which point he trots back healing at my feet being as good as gold.

How heavy ?? 12-15Kg

[Challo]

Its defiantly an odd one. Our Cockapoo is very stubborn and would at times refuse to walk in a certain direction. Not a huge issue, but when you have another dog who carries on walking its a pain.

Our trainer just recommended gentle encouragement, or worst case stand and face the direction you want to go and they will normally tend to follow even if you need to wait it out a bit. If I'm in a rush a tug on his harness, and the tempting of a treat gets him walking. Once we are past that sticking point he tends to be fine.

[IanJ9375]

Same issue with our Bulldog - when either of us has tried taking her on our own she's very reluctant, it's in her head that we all do this together.
Previously I battled/encouraged her and it wasn't until another dog went past that she decided a walk was on....she's done the exact same thing to the other half the other week and you end up stalking another dog and his walker!

[moorx]

Have you considered trying a double ended lead and attaching one end to his harness and one end to his collar? It gives more control/direction.

Like this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Company-Animals-HALTI-Tra...

By the way - the 'Alpha/Dominance Theory' has been widely debunked, although it often seems to still be quoted.

https://apdt.com/resource-center/dominance-and-dog...

[StevieBee]

Exactly the same with our Corgi.

I've found one solution is to take her somewhere we've all never been previously. I've found some spots where she now knows it to be a him and her place not a her and them place.

[Digger]

Just thinking out loud here . . .

What were to happen if all 3 of you go out together, your other half then returns home, or stops off at a shop & then returns home? Then you & the dog were to continue without her . . .