Puppy lays down during walk

[Enko]

Hello all we have an 5 month old Basset hound who is a real joy. However recently when we go out for a walk he has suddenly started laying down and refuses to move further. Sometimes we can get him up by using touch (to touch our hand) but not always. I am avoiding using treats to get him up so he doesn't feel rewarded for laying down and focusing a lot on when he is doing loose lead walking giving lots of praise and rewards for this. We are not walking further than 20 mins and this happens within a few minutes some walks and not at all on others. Sometimes when he gets up again he is full of puppy beans and that bundle of puppy activity. I am pretty sure he is not thirsty as I have seen suggested and Also pretty sure he is not in pain.

Is this just something to get past as he ages or what can I do to get him past this?

Hello, you could be describing my Jack Tzu. She is 6 months. Walks so far and sits or lies! Weirdly, she'll walk better on grass but on the pavement will keep stopping. I have no advice but just wanted to let you know that I have a similar predicament. My pup is a nervous type so I am putting it down to that and keep persevering with the walks and hope she will get more confident and get the hang of it

Bassets are incredibly stubborn

You say she doesn't do it all the time - can you identify a reason perhaps? Is she scared of something or bored or wants to go elsewhere?

Doesn't seem to matter what way we go. Doesn't seem to want to go anywhere. We go in 3 different directions so not stuck w the same route. I cant think of anything that has scared him.

Would it be worth having a vet check up just in case there is something wrong?

As above you need to properly exclude a physical cause and pain.

Other than that, is the weather wet or cold when he refuses to walk? Does he dislike walking through mud or puddles? Some dogs are surprisingly precious!

Also, you should most definitely use treats to help with this. Use the treat as a lure to get him up, click as soon as he is up and reward. You are not rewarding the laying down, you are rewarding the getting up and the clicker helps you mark the behaviour.

I would then suggest a check up with the vet. Unfortunately bassets are prone to joint problems due to their long spine and short legs.

Or it could just be hound stubbornness!

avet check went fine there are no issues. Ironically the day after he did his best ever walk. So I think it all him being him and it will just be lots of training

Flat Basset!
My Basset did this her entire life, they are sooooo stubborn.
Clicker training with cheese helped and letting her have regular sniffs on walks then a command when sniffing is over "walk on"
Bassets are the loveliest breed but stubborn as mules. I sadly lost mine at Christmas age 12 and now have a puppy dachshund who is also stubborn but at least i can pick up

As @HarrietBasset said, teaching a ‘walk on’ command using high value treats (what would your dog sell his soul for? Only ever use that treat for walk on. It’s cheese for us) will help. We also found that dog shoes/socks made a huge difference to our dramatic lad.