Do you run/walk with your dog? Help?

rae125

My furry little ball of energy is always a wonderful motivator and we used to go on frequent walks/runs/hikes together (8+ miles/day) but recently she's taken to refusing -- flat out REFUSING-- to go away from the house. I practically have to drag her! She'll happily walk like a good girl on the walk towards home but she does NOT want to go away from home. She was like this as a puppy but eventually got over it and hasn't done it in over a year and a half. She still gets all excited when she sees me put on my sports bra and get her harness so I know she WANTS to go for a walk but it's like she's afraid to leave home.

The only thing that's changed is that we moved in with my mom, stepdad, and their dog. She couldn't be happier with all the changes though as we went from a one bedroom apartment to a house with a playmate and huge backyard, lol.

Why? Why on earth is my dog behaving like this?! After she hasn't for so long!! I can't find anything about dogs that won't move forward (only when moving AWAY from home). I'm sure there are lots of dog walkers/runners here so I thought I'd give asking here a shot.

It's hurting my motivation getting ready for a 6am run/walk only to have my baby fight me on it (unless we are heading home, which means VERY short walks filled with me dragging her). With all her excitement in seeing me get ready for a run though, it'd break my heart to leave her at home. :brokenheart:

sunyg

I can't help but am looking forward to the replies.
I have a mastiff that won't even walk, anywhere, ever. He couldn't run with me but it would be nice if he would walk. His exception is during trick or treating time and that's because he knows he's going to get attention . His lazy butt will get in the car to go somewhere but once he realizes we aren't getting into the car forget it.
I recently rescued 2 boxer puppies. I would love to be able to take them out on runs when older but in the time that I've had them they don't want to go out either.

bethvandenberg

Maybe she feels bad leaving the other one behind. Try taking both of them for a short walk and see what happens.

Wuggums

I walk/jog with my dog, Maxine, every day and I get seriously depressed when she doesn't feel like going for a walk. Where do you live? Maxine hasn't been walking nearly as much as she usually does simply because it has been too hot and humid - even at 5:45am. She gets very excited for her walk, but as soon as she steps outside, she wants nothing to do with the heat. If that's not the problem - it may just be a behavioral thing. When Maxine is stubborn, a few things snap her out of it - a quick, high-pitched, excited "Oh look!" or "Look, there's a squirrel!" will usually get her headed in the right direction. Or, I pull a "dog whisperer" on her and stand right in front of her and walk into her until she moves the way I want her to go. Sometimes, there's just no winning - if she really doesn't want to go for a walk, I won't force her - I'll go on my own, or jump on the treadmill. Good luck to you and your adorable pup!!

wickedcricket

it's too damn hot - dog knows when she's got it good, she goes out, does her business & goes back in the A/c - activity in this weather is NOT natural for animals - look around- do you see any animals moving? their basal temp is about 100 degrees & dogs don't sweat, they have no way to cool down but panting -

get her a cool vest or something - wet her down - see if she'll go then
or wait til it's cooler

hartsmart

Maybe she feels bad leaving the other one behind. Try taking both of them for a short walk and see what happens.

that's just what i was going to say!!

cmriverside

Do you have another form of collar other than a harness?

When you begin the walk, pull gently, calmly, quietly on the leash - don't TUG. Once the dog moves, release the tension on the leash. If the dog stops again, do the same. Keep doing this calmly and quietly until you get the results you want. Once you start, you cannot give in and take the dog back home. You must continue until you get the result you want. Calm, quiet, gentle pull, relax, walk. Repeat. You can use the smell of a favorite treat to get him started. Have someone walk behind him. Quietly. No yelling or yanking. Do not get frustrated, the dog will shut down.


You may also take the dog somewhere else to begin the walk. If the dog walks fine on the walk away from home, then maybe start taking the dog's playmate (the other dog) along on walks so your dog will be "okay" leaving the house. I think he will walk fine if the other dog is there.

Flyntiggr

I'd say it is because of the weather. My sis has a 'teenage' golden. She's only 1.5 years old, and is normally high on the energy scale. All she does right now is lay around, eat, go potty, and lay around some more. My guess is that it is some type of canine instinct to conserve energy.

kayleeblue

Have you tried leaving with out her? See what happens when you go with out her. I don't have a problem with my dog going with me..she goes through the window if I don't take her with me..but now she has to stay home because she injured her shoulder. I would try going with out her a time or two. Make a big deal out of it when you get ready to leave..watch her behavior and see what spikes her attention..Good Luck! And taking the other dog with a few times is a good idea if you can handle both of them. Or take the other dog instead of her, maybe she will get jealous.

sweetheart03622

I'm thinking it has a lot to do with the dominance issues your dog is probably facing. While having a playmate is wonderful, dogs will spend a good 4-6 weeks figuring out which one is going to emerge as the more dominant of the two (dealt with this for almost 10 when I got my second dog). While I've never heard of this behavior specifically, it does make sense. Any time your pup isn't home, he's losing reign over his potential "territory". I agree with the idea of trying to take both with you. Can someone come with and jog with the other one for about five minutes before turning back?

Another thought, this is actually REALLY common in horses, it's called being "barn sour" and has to do with a feeling of security that they receive in being back at their stables. Since there have been so many changes recently (and when he was a puppy) this could be what's going on. Try driving away from your house, even just down the block, before you start off on your run. Let your dog know that running is a good thing. And then praise him for every step he makes away from the house. It'll take time, but you'll get it figured out!

alifer

it's too damn hot - dog knows when she's got it good, she goes out, does her business & goes back in the A/c - activity in this weather is NOT natural for animals - look around- do you see any animals moving? their basal temp is about 100 degrees & dogs don't sweat, they have no way to cool down but panting -

get her a cool vest or something - wet her down - see if she'll go then
or wait til it's cooler

The heat factor was the first thing I thought of also. Do you take water with you on hot days?

Also wondering if some dog treats in your pocket might encourage her to want to go - maybe the treat at the halfway point?. I know my lab will do anything I ask if there are treats involved.

4lafz

Don't trade for a collar - harnesses are better for control. I walk my dog (he is a little tike) and he does this often. 1) because something scared him - like a pop pop sound on a previous walk or 2) the cement/asphalt is too hot.

In the first case - if I know it has not been too hot - I go in a different direction - not where we normally go. Sometimes I have to carry him down the block and then set him down and he starts walking. I know you can't do that but you may have to be firm and tell him or her to COME and yank a bit. Oh - and he has a memory that won't quit - he will be like this for a week or more if one car backfires.

If it is too hot - walk early morning or late after the sun goes down. Touch the cement outside your home to see if it is too hot.

Good luck!

sweetheart03622

Have you tried leaving with out her? See what happens when you go with out her. I don't have a problem with my dog going with me..she goes through the window if I don't take her with me..but now she has to stay home because she injured her shoulder. I would try going with out her a time or two. Make a big deal out of it when you get ready to leave..watch her behavior and see what spikes her attention..Good Luck! And taking the other dog with a few times is a good idea if you can handle both of them. Or take the other dog instead of her, maybe she will get jealous.

Please please please do not try to elicit jealousy in dogs. It's not like it is with children, you cannot reason with them and say "well you didn't want to go and Sparky did!" Dogs don't understand this. Jealous dogs can shut down or even get violent. Jealousy is never something you want to create in your dog.

jwerman

I agree with wuggums...My dog has been the same way lately! Its just been too dang hot/humid lately for both man and beast (especially here in the midwest)! I've just had to do the treadmill and short,short walks for him at night..can't push him!

Sa2ah

new home/new environment so your dog isnt feeling secure right now. she is also (like a previous reply had stated) trying to figure out the dominance issue.
i know my dog who is usually high energy and will try to drag me as much as he can (hes a lhasa apso...so theres not much to the drag lol) but as soon as i open the door & the heat hits him he turns around and wants nothing to do with going outside. so the heat may be an issue aswell.
if heat is the issue
http://www.ruffwear.com/Swamp-Cooler-Dog-Cooling-Vest-Sun-Protection-Prevents-Canine-Heat-Exhaustion-from-Ruff-Wear
or
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/pets/e40f/
are pretty neat and may help out

CharlieBarleyMom

This week I have stopped our walks and rides in the car... Charlie, my 12 year old black lab mix, is covered with long hair and he doesn't like the house to be any warmer than 59°F. He gets upset when he can't go run errands with me but when I get home he's not all that thrilled about even going outside to do his business!

He normally loves to go for a walk and he absolutely Loves Loves Loves to just sit outside on the back lawn and watch nature (maybe devising a way to catch the squirrels?) around him... not this week. I open the door and he's not even interested... I have to cajole him into going outside to urinate because it's just too darn hot! (even though he loves HIS cats, there is one cat that lives outside that he just detests... so I tell him, "Oh look Charlie, Whiskers is out there!" and that's all it takes for him to race outside. (mean, I know, but he has to go!)

There's been quite a few good suggestions here. I hope one of them works for you and your baby.