Labrador not keen on walking!

[SilverLining]

Is this even possible?? I have a 13 month old lab who has never been particularly keen to walk but thought it would get better - it's not! He walks fairly well in the morning - school run and then off lead by the river and then sleeps most of the day but in the evening I attempt to take him round the block to stretch his legs and he just refuses! Seems happy enough but the minute he sees his lead he runs back to bed!! Should I persist or just be led by him?? First time dog owner still on a steep learning curve...

[nell15]

Typical lazy lab. Our Labrador will do anything if he thinks there's food on offer. Try showing him a snack in your hand as you get him to go out on a walk, then keep a supply of treats in your pocket and one in your hand and - hopefully he will follow you.

[SilverLining]

Even food doesn't persuade him! He seems happy enough pottering around the garden & playing with the children so perhaps I'm worrying over nothing??

[nell15]

Mmm, not like ours then. Could it be the dark, he doesn't like? Is he in any pain?

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Does he need another walk? Sounds like he's been out enough already. Try doing a bit more mentally stimulating work with him instead.

[SilverLining]

Thanks Nell - I wonder if it's the dark too - he's definitely not in any pain.

MsAdorabelle - I wondered the same but I just thought dogs have walks and if he's slept all day he would want another one. How can I mentally stimulate him? We hide food for him in the garden, we play games with him. Is there anything else I could be doing with him? Would welcome any ideas!

Thanks

[Follyfoot]

Are you absolutely certain he isn't in pain? Our last Lab was fine doing one walk, but anything more and she wasn't keen. It turned out she had elbow problems and needed surgery. A neighbour also had a reluctant walker Lab and she has hip problems also needing surgery.

[EverythingEverywhere1234]

Oh my dog can be like this, albeit not a Lab. He's a spaniel poodle cross so generally reasonably high energy breeds but damned if I can get him to go for a walk and actually act as though he is enjoying it sometimes! Sometimes it's the weather, he hates the rain and isn't keen on the dark, and sometimes he'd just rather stay asleep on the sofa. I know he isn't in pain as I've had it checked as I was worried about him. God knows. Works for me mind, I've shit knees!

[SilverLining]

Thanks follyfoot - it's worth getting checked out so I'll mention it to the vet just in case.

And EverythingEverywhere you sound like you have my dog!!

Wish they could speak sometimes!!

[pigsDOfly]

I find this with my dog. We go to the park in the morning and have a run, bit of training and general play. Come the early evening when I think she should be going for a second walk, she's usually happy enough to go but when we get outside she'll sometimes sit down after a while and not want to go further. Other times she'll be ready for a bit of a longer walk.

I had the vet check her over recently when she was there for her jabs. Vet was very thorough and concluded that there were no leg problems and it's just something she does.

She's not keen on the dark, doesn't mind the wind but doesn't like rain. I too always assume a dog would be ready for a walk but I suppose like us they have their moods and if you're nice and comfortable and cozy at home why wouldn't you want to stay there.

[Bubble2bubble]

Could be wrong, but I think I would get a vet to check his joints in case he had a problem.

[Noofly]

I too have a spaniel poodle cross and he is the same! He gets a short 10-15 minute walk in the morning and a good 60-90 minute off lead walk just after lunch. At 7:00 I try to drag him out for a last walk. He will agree to walk round the corner for a pee and then drags me home to get a chew and settle down for the night. He was so hyper in the evening as a puppy that I can't believe he is the same dog.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

Well any training really would do; sit, stay, down, etc. Teaching fetch games, find it. Ask your training instructor. I'll have a proper think later!