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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Our puppy isn’t keen on walks 😱

39 replies

bbcessex · 15/06/2018 21:30

Hi all

We have a lovely Labrador puppy.. 3 months old now. He’s growing well, eating well. Sleeping in his crate happily between 10pm - 5am.

Just a bit worried that he doesn’t like going for walks. He plays happily in the garden. Has the occasional nutty half hour. But in general mainly sleeps.

When we take him out for little walks he rarely wants to go. Will walk for treats, or chasing my daughter , but doesn’t want to go and won’t budge if not encouraged.

He’s had his checks and jabs.. just seems so sleepy.

Is this normal?

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 16/06/2018 19:42

“What sort of places do you go to that you can safely let a puppy walk off the lead? I can only think of places which will attract lots of other dogs!”

It’ll depend where you live tbh... where I live most places for walking aren’t parks or anything, so yes there are other dogs, but like one at a time... unless it’s the middle of the day when all the “professional” walkers are out.

Cath2907 · 19/06/2018 11:10

I live near lots of countryside so off leading is totally normal for us and has been since pup could walk far enough to cross road to the fields. I guess the fields / woods aren't completely enclosed but don't open directly onto busy roads and we walk towards the countryside areas on the way out when he is most bouncy. I used to put him back on the lead a good bit before we ran out of field when he was less reliable (used to have to wrestle the lead back on him but now he sits and waits nicely). We don't use parks or places where other dogs commonly are without a lead as he is over friendly and forgets his recall around other dogs. Those are often places we are on the weekend with the kid and he stays firmly on a lead where I can keep an eye on him!
Unless you are in the middle of a big town there are probably plenty of isolated footpaths near you. Perhaps an OS map might help find some? I walked all ours with him on the lead first off to check on other dog density and potential hazards.
Take a bag of treats and treat the dog regularly through the walk getting them to sit as often as you can so that they get used to keeping an eye on you for treats and commands. Put lead on and off a few times in the walk at unpredictable times so they know they get to come back off again. It is a bit nerve wracking at first but you soon get used to your dog and they to you and unless you are really unlucky and you have a runner they'll stay fairly near you at all times.

Hogtini · 19/06/2018 11:35

My dog used to do this, He would sit on the step outside the house and not move! It's important to still get them out and socialised though. So yes definitely follow PP advice on little outings to new exciting places like P@H, go on a bus/train, local lake/pond, cafe etc. He's a very socialiable chap now

Eryri2018 · 19/06/2018 11:38

My dog was obsessed with being in our garden when he was a puppy, absolutely loved it, much more than walks. Now at 18 months he still dives for the back door at any signs that one of us might be going outside, but loves his walkies too.

The garden is a pretty exciting place at 3 months, and one where presumably your dog has more freedom than on a walk.

Original poster

bbcessex · 20/06/2018 15:08

Thanks for the posts, everyone.

We have some woods a short walk from our house - we’ve been carrying him there!! He then has a really good little walk on the lead and seems quite happy.

Also doing cafes etc.. saving Pets at Home for the weekend (and really looking forward to showing him off!!)

OP posts:

pinkunicorn20 · 23/06/2018 10:58

I have 2 13 week old staffies, one loves to walk and will happily amble on lead for about 10/15 mins, the other simply refuses and will belly crawl. At the moment we just carry her and pop her down at intervals to see if she's interested.
I think it's as much a sensory thing as anything else, lots of new sights, smells and sounds.

Lots of helpful tips on this post that I'll be utilising, thanks!

SpanielsAreNuts · 23/06/2018 11:24

pink look up litter mates syndrome. It sounds like it's already becoming an issue.

pinkunicorn20 · 23/06/2018 11:38

Thanks @SpanielsAreNuts I'm aware of litter mate syndrome and I'm confident it's an age thing, my girls are well socialised with other dogs and show no signs of super bonding or anything like it.
As it was an informed decision to bring home sisters we are well informed of the pit falls and take steps to ensure this does not become an issue.
Plenty of owners decide to have siblings but nobody speaks about the positive side of things.

pinkunicorn20 · 23/06/2018 11:40

Also how is one puppies reluctance to walk at a young age indicate litter mate syndrome even slightly? Could you link to this information please

pinkunicorn20 · 23/06/2018 11:43

Does not is...... wish there was an edit option!!

BiteyShark · 23/06/2018 12:11

pink it might just be an age/preference thing but I vaguely remember looking at stuff about this when the guide dogs tried it and something about fearfulness with stimuli and other people etc. How's the one that belly crawls when you consistently walk them seperately?

pinkunicorn20 · 23/06/2018 12:30

As she's only 13 weeks walking has only been the last week/10 days in line with advice from the vet surrounding vaccinations.
She walks (or belly crawls) on separate walks as well as with her sister. Truthfully when we walk them together they pay little attention to each other.
She's got a beautiful temperament, lovely with other dogs. At home she loves a run around the garden, will play happily in other familiar spaces which is why I think it's a stimulus response.

anon135 · 23/06/2018 12:40

Don't worry, our golden retriever was like that at 3 months. I was horrified by the thought that i'd got a dog that didn't like walkies! I think they are just growing so rapidly at that age so they don't have a lot of stamina. Also, they are just getting used to the world so being outside a few steps from home can seem overwhelming. I'm sure your dog will be keen on his walks soon enough :)

Original poster

bbcessex · 23/06/2018 23:02

Thanks everyone - breakthrough day today!!!

I had to go into town centre - he walked to the one location we needed to go to, about 5 mins walked, and walked back happily.

I then drove him to Pets at Home, he spent half an hour as ‘celebrity dog’, trotting around end being fussed over by almost everyone in the shop.

I was so proud 😂😂😂😂

I also bought a harness to replace his thin collar. Got nipped a million times putting it on him but he’s worn it all afternoon in the garden and went for a ten minute walk down the road with no sitting or stalling 😱😱🙏

Lovely day. He put himself in his crate at 9.45pm 😂

OP posts:

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