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...
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)
I am not in any way an 'expert' but I truly believe that dogs pick up a huge amount of their problems from us, their owners (Daddies 
). My beloved fat Basset spent 6 months away from me when he was 18 months old and when I got him back, he was a complete nightmare and was totally untrustworthy with other dogs, he'd have a go at anything so long as it was bigger than him. Obviously, this is very undesirable behaviour and worse for him as he is fat, slow and dim and couldn't successfully fight a hamster.
It took me a long time to get him back to the stupid, docile lovable (useless, dopey lazy... ) chap he had been and the last part of it was to trust him and be cool when he went near other mutts if I tensed up, he'd be aggressive, if I was relaxed, so was he. No idea how or what part of my behaviour he was picking up on as I was at pains to be outwardly chilled about it all, but he knew it was an act.
Walks should be fun for both of you.
). My beloved fat Basset spent 6 months away from me when he was 18 months old and when I got him back, he was a complete nightmare and was totally untrustworthy with other dogs, he'd have a go at anything so long as it was bigger than him. Obviously, this is very undesirable behaviour and worse for him as he is fat, slow and dim and couldn't successfully fight a hamster.It took me a long time to get him back to the stupid, docile lovable (useless, dopey lazy... ) chap he had been and the last part of it was to trust him and be cool when he went near other mutts if I tensed up, he'd be aggressive, if I was relaxed, so was he. No idea how or what part of my behaviour he was picking up on as I was at pains to be outwardly chilled about it all, but he knew it was an act.
Walks should be fun for both of you.
With any new behaviour appearing like this, I would guarantee it is either pain or anxiety/fear.
There are multiple reasons, some have been mentioned and there are many others. For example one of my 4 has a severe noise phobia and would refuse to walk - would do a few paces then slam brakes on - took me a year to figure out it was the tag jangling on his collar. Changing to a rubber flexi tag cured it.
However it could also be the beginnings of something like a joint/hip problem. Dogs can quickly associate a pain with a place, so for example; if your dog has been jumping out of the boot (not advised) and had a pain on landing then quickly would form a negative association with your car - if your dog was spooked by the air brakes on a bus while you were walking - that can easily be missed by you and easily start a fearful association with the place it happened.
I would never advise watching a tv show to get ideas because what you need to do is find out the real cause then work with it.
For example; you could spend months on conditioning your dog to be ok in the car or getting out of the boot when arriving at the park and then find it is a squeeky gate at the park. Not only have you wasted a lot of time but you have not actually helped your dog learn to be ok with something.
Do bear in mind that if your dog is 3 and you don't address this, it may well become worse.
You say there is no sign of pain, however dogs mask pain (especially low grade pains /early symptoms) incredibly well. Things like excitement when the door rings or mealtimes, even dogs in a lot of pain will respond normally.
I would really urge you to speak to a vet first, and get a really thorough check over and then if there is no sign of anything (especially hips and knees etc) then I'd suggest speaking to a qualified behaviourist. It's really not that much to have a consultation and it will help you immensely. They will spot things that you won't. They will all ask for a vet check before seeing you and that's the reason why.
Good luck
There are multiple reasons, some have been mentioned and there are many others. For example one of my 4 has a severe noise phobia and would refuse to walk - would do a few paces then slam brakes on - took me a year to figure out it was the tag jangling on his collar. Changing to a rubber flexi tag cured it.
However it could also be the beginnings of something like a joint/hip problem. Dogs can quickly associate a pain with a place, so for example; if your dog has been jumping out of the boot (not advised) and had a pain on landing then quickly would form a negative association with your car - if your dog was spooked by the air brakes on a bus while you were walking - that can easily be missed by you and easily start a fearful association with the place it happened.
I would never advise watching a tv show to get ideas because what you need to do is find out the real cause then work with it.
For example; you could spend months on conditioning your dog to be ok in the car or getting out of the boot when arriving at the park and then find it is a squeeky gate at the park. Not only have you wasted a lot of time but you have not actually helped your dog learn to be ok with something.
Do bear in mind that if your dog is 3 and you don't address this, it may well become worse.
You say there is no sign of pain, however dogs mask pain (especially low grade pains /early symptoms) incredibly well. Things like excitement when the door rings or mealtimes, even dogs in a lot of pain will respond normally.
I would really urge you to speak to a vet first, and get a really thorough check over and then if there is no sign of anything (especially hips and knees etc) then I'd suggest speaking to a qualified behaviourist. It's really not that much to have a consultation and it will help you immensely. They will spot things that you won't. They will all ask for a vet check before seeing you and that's the reason why.
Good luck
Edited by parakitaMol. on Wednesday 6th January 17:18
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