Lazy dog....

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beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

240 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Now the weather has improved, I've restarted my morning runs again. I'm usually up by 6am and head out for a 30 minute 6km run around where I live.

The problem is I want to take my dog with me and I can't get her to wake up or want to run with me at this time!!!

She's a VERY energetic 2 year old dog and will go running with me during the day but refuses point blank to go in the morning. Since I work long hours, this is one of the few times I can take her for a good walk during the week but running with a dog who refuses to run (or even walk with you), is seriously frustrating!!!

Can anyone recommend a way of training this laziness out of her?! Is it just a case of persistence eventually pays its way?

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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What breed?

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Shaw Tarse said:
What breed?
This, could be very relevant!!

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

240 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
I'mont 100% sure as she's a rescue dog. However the vet has said she's a Sheltie cross.

As mentioned before, she's incredibly energetic and full of beans. I've run 12km with her many times without any problems (but only during the day). In the morning she simply won't play ball!

Below is a photo of her if you can identify her cross breed better!


davhill

5,263 posts

183 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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How about mimicking the afternoon pre-walk routine? The only dog watch that exists is a navy thing so fooling her into believing it's after noon might work.

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

240 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
davhill said:
How about mimicking the afternoon pre-walk routine? The only dog watch that exists is a navy thing so fooling her into believing it's after noon might work.
That's the problem. They don't get walked during the day due to my new work hours and I want to fit that in the morning. (I have two dogs btw).

We have a smaller Yorkie cross and she's fine in the morning but she can't manage more than a couple of km's before she gets a bit fed-up and tired so I never take her running.

Usually I take the both of them out as soon as I get back from work in the evening (8pm), for a shorter walk but they spend the day in an open garden with access to the house through a special dog flap/tunnel we had fitted, but Lady (my dog), needs more exercise as I've noticed she's been getting depressed since I went back to work after a month off. I'm guessing it's down to me and my other half not being about as much and not going out for walks as often hence trying to get her out with me during my morning runs.

(P.S. I tried before numerous times but like I said, there's nothing more annoying than a dog refusing to walk ruining your own run and then having to go home early).

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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Build it up, don't go straight for the running, start at a normal walk for a few days gradually build up the pace.

Just a poss idea to work on.

Dogs can be creatures of habit and take time to adjust, at least she is not a bulldog smile.

Does she jog with you if you do take her later in the day. Tbh for some dogs jogging along with their owner just isn't much fun for them.

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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My sister has got a Red Fox lab, she doesn't like going out into garden for a wee first thing in morning.(dog not sis)
Doesn't want to go out in garden if it's raining & doesn't like the dark, but take her out for a walk during the day & she will run for miles.(again dog not my sis)

beanbag

Original Poster:

7,346 posts

240 months

Monday 30th March 2015
quotequote all
bexVN said:
Build it up, don't go straight for the running, start at a normal walk for a few days gradually build up the pace.

Just a poss idea to work on.

Dogs can be creatures of habit and take time to adjust, at least she is not a bulldog smile.

Does she jog with you if you do take her later in the day. Tbh for some dogs jogging along with their owner just isn't much fun for them.
She loves running with me. I have her on a lead for safety, but I could easily take it off and she would run alongside me the whole time.

She's my first dog and my other half and I are incredibly fond of her so we're a little worried about her being so down at the moment. She's constantly very unsettled (sits down and stands up a lot in evenings), and not eating well. She's totally gone off her food so we have to rotate different brands to keep her interested.

I've had her down the vet but there is nothing wrong with her and the vet suggested taking her out more. Unfortunately mornings are the only time I can do this so I'll try and break her in slowly as suggested with a gentle walk first, and gradually build it up.

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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She's not a morning dog. Many aren't. My Newfie wouldn't even go out for a walk before 9am. And believe me, if she didn't want to, you weren't going to make her. Out of my four dogs two are morning dogs, two are not. One will sulk about getting a walk early in the morning and you will have to drag him along (50kg so not ideal), the other wouldn't get out of bed. The remaining two however will be very excited and happy to go out even at 6am.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Monday 30th March 2015
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You could try some natural products to reduce the stress she may be feeling at the mo. Zylkene, ADAPTIL collar/ plug in and Kalmaid. All very safe and can all be used at same time if needed.

I hope she cheers up soon, always a worrybwhen they act out of character.