Run reluctance

[LakeFlyPie]

DDog loves to go for a walk in the park next to our house. Usually goes 2-3x / day. DH has started running couple of times a week, 20-30 mins late afternoon / early evening. DDog initially went out with him but now runs home and today when he saw DH had running gear on he curled up on the sofa and refused to move! 10 mins later happily came for a walk with me to exactly the same place DH runs at.
What is going on in his little furry head?

some dogs dont like running

Mine started to refuse running with me but would happily walk when he started developing arthritis. The 1st stop for me would be a vets appointment to check for pain.

He's only 4 (tomorrow 🎂!) so would think a bit young for arthritis. He goes off lead in the park so he can still potter about and sniff and then run and catch up whether we're walking or running. I wondered if he's worried that DH is running away from him or perhaps he's embarrassed by the running gear 😆
Whatever the reason he's clearly not up for it. I've suggested to DH that he goes in the morning to see if that's preferable for the mutt

He could have hip or elbow problems, a quick check at the vets may be in order.

Does he run on lead or off lead? Harness or collar?

Does DH grump at him?

Your dog likes a nice walk where he can sniff his way around and savour the experience. He doesn't want to run his legs off keeping up with your husband and getting no chance to stop if he passed an intriguing lamppost.

This. They need to smell and sniff.

one of my dogs has never been interested in running, chasing a ball, no chance, he wanders, sniffs and pisses
only time he runs is if ive walked far enough to catch up
your dog doesnt want to run along beside your DH

What breed is he?

At 4 he should like running. However, he is a dog and also likes sniffing. Our DDog runs, she does half the distance running and half at a leisurely pace. Could DH cope with 4 mins running 6 mins sniffing amble, repeat?

Running off home is dangerous, consider something like this dogfit.co.uk/collections/canicross-complete-kits/products/starter-kit-with-dragratten-multi-sport?variant=29076143538270

😁 I think he just doesn't like running!

I had a dog who for some bizarre reason hated camping... we took her once, she was allowed in the tent as she usually slept on the bed. That was enough! Every time we got the camping gear out dog was standing at the bottom of the garden and refused to come in!
All other holidays like B&B's or cottages not an issue!

I think Ylvamoon is right and he just doesn't like running! It's a circular route around a park which is joined to our house via a small wooded area so no different to his usual off lead walk except his companion is going at a slightly faster pace! When I say he runs home, he comes back through the woods and sits at the gate! He's quite a sensitive soul (medium sized scruffy mongrel rescue dog) so suspect he just doesn't like his walk being 'different'

I don't think he'd enjoy camping. For a former street dog he's got used to comfortable sofas remarkably well

It’s probably because it’s a change, mine is a foreign rescue...

I suspect mine would love running as he spends the first 10-15 minutes of a walk zooming himself anyway, but I’m no longer up to running.

bur, he’s very very suspicious of anything new, today he’s upset because my DP parked in a different spot and he can see it from a different window than usual 😐😂

So I’d think about getting a check up just to make sure, but, I suspect if it’s the same route he usually does he’s just going, nope, that’s not what you do on walks, I’m not having it.

Did you get him fit? Built up the running gradually?

Running is not that good for dogs , by no means am I saying they shouldn't run but they need their minds stimulating more than muscles exercising.
So sniffing for other dogs peeing, rolling in grass, I would imagine if you walk through woods there and loads of different animals for them to sniff at / for .

Think of it like you thinking you are going out for your favourite meal in a great restaurant and someone else shouting EAT QUICK, WE MUST GO, I WILL LEAVE YOU .
Your poor pooch just won't enjoy the walk .

I do canicross with my dog which she loves but I do consciously make it hard for her to keep her stimulated. Some dogs like running off lead beside a human but not my collie. But she enjoys racing along in front and being given cues to keep on, mush etc.

It needs to be a small part of the overall picture thougg. I run with her 3-4 times a week, she walks off lead everyday and she has a bike ride 1 or 2 times with my husband. She does need the sniffy walk too.

I would recommend starting v slowly. Breaking up the dogs run with lots of breaks to sniff so she doesn't associate running with a boring slog! Ours won't do our and back runs unless I give her an off lead play in the middle though she will do round routes (cos she's not that smart).