A weird lead walking one

[GissASquizz]

S is a 5 year old cross breed. He has no known health issues. We also have another dog. They are usually walked together. S is quite small but usually keeps up well. Over the last few weeks, S has started hanging back on lead walks. If we slow down, he slows down even more. Eventually we're crawling along and he just stops and stares at me. I've checked collar/harness etc and all seems fine. He's still excited to go for walks. If we let him off lead, he charges about with our other dog so it's exclusively a lead issue. Any ideas? S is 5 years old.

Pack hierarchy? Maybe something's happened to "put him in his place"?

He's generally a bossy little sod, and I haven't noticed anything. Just took him around the block to try and work out what's going on. He kept pace with me at first, but didn't pull ahead. Then it was a bit stop start until he knew we were heading home when he picked up the pace a bit. However he then sat down on the doorstep and had to be cajoled inside.

Pack theory has been debunked.
Do you use a collar or harness?

Both at different times. I've tried walking him in both and he responds the same way.

Is it on lead by road? Hating cars?
Has he been stepped on by a person or the bigger dog when in lead? Had a scare on lead? Eg fireworks.
Sometimes don’t you just wish you could ask them?!

God, yes! Nothing I can think of. I started to worry he was having pain, but then surely he wouldn't be charging up and down the stairs like a demon now? He does go out with a dog walker. Might ask if she's noticed anything.

If he’s charging about off lead then I couldn’t imagine it’s pain. A collar could put pressure on the neck or a harness could rub. But to do the same wearing either? Odd.
Hope you can work it out.

Mine will hang back or sit when on lead for one of two reasons. Either he is scared (of cars passing too closely especially at night) or some random part of a plant he has brushed against has attached itself to him.

Can you try walking him in the harness and without the collar and vice versa?

My mum’s dog won’t walk in a coat.

I would definitely get a vet check - when a dog is on lead it is usually doing a constant pace and that is more painful then when a dog is off lead and can chose the pace or run for short bursts and then sniff etc.

Also lower back pain can be worse for a dog on a lead as there can be pressure from the lead etc.

Reluctance to go up a step at the end of a walk would also indicate to me pain.

First signs of arthritis in one of my agility dog was noticed lead walking not when he was competing in agility.

Oh rats. Really hope it's not arthritis. He's so young! What would treatment entail?

Stupid question alert. Any idea what the breeds are? Some are prone to certain health conditions.
I had a cat with awful arthritis. We used tramadol and a heat pad. She was old though.

Reluctance to go up stairs can also be a sign of hip dysplasia.

Both my labs went like that when they were starting with arthritis, but they were a good few years older than that. Yumove supplements helped them a lot.

He runs upstairs all the time. He's currently charging around with a blanket on his head. Have ordered a joint supplement just in case. He has injured his back twice in the last 18 months. Both times he was arched and miserable. Vet gave anti inflammatories and pain meds and he recovered fairly quickly. Fell off the bed the first time and got knocked down the stairs by other dog the second.

He's a miniature poodle cocker spaniel cross.

Could be pain in the neck? Does harness touch neck at all? I would get a vet check. Hope all is ok.

I don't think so. He seems completely fine playing in the house. So odd.

I only asked about breed thinking maybe a cav cross and syringomyelia. (Sp?!)