Problem on walks with my Lab....

[Artemis6]

For the past few weeks my 2.5yo chocolate male Lab has developed a very strange habit on our walks.

He will just stop! And he won’t budge. I say things like “Shall we go home for your lunch?” which helps sometimes as he knows the word “lunch”.

But generally, I end up having to pull him on the lead and collar, which can’t feel very nice.

When he stops he looks quite worried/scared but there’s nothing in sight to scare him! There also hasn’t been an incident that might have scared him whilst out walking.

He’s a completely different boy off-lead on the beach or in the park and is sociable, playful and loving life!

This doesn’t happen on the way to the beach/park as he’s in such a rush to get there.

When he was about 15 months he had double elbow dysplasia surgery which went very well and although he’s not limping, I’m wondering whether he’s in any pain on the walk home?
He never yelps though and after the op, the orthopaedic surgeon said that he would live a completely normal life and, after the recovery period, to not limit him in any way re exercise.

I’m going to order him a harness in case this continues as I hate having to pull him by the collar.

Anyone have any ideas as to what this might be?

He doesn’t want to go home or he wants to go somewhere else. My lab does this and it’s either because he wants to go to the pet shop for treats or to the beach depending on where we are on our walk. He’s definitely being stubborn! He can usually be persuaded by the promise of cheese when we get home.

Thanks Crooklodge I will give this a try.

So it seems it is behavioural....but I have to go home!
He always has a good long walk, usually just under 2 hours, either beach (involving swimming) or park.

Other than giving him treats (not ideal with a Labrador) I'm not sure how I can make going home fun!

Home v Beach......hmmm!

Idratherbepaddleboarding

The C-bomb! (Cheese)
We were recently told by the vet that the lump of cheese DH was giving him every day when he got in from work was equivalent to 5 cheeseburgers 😂

@Artemis6 are you randomly putting him on and off his lead while you are out for a walk? This is a good idea as he won't then associate going on the lead with the end of the fun.

If it’s happening generally at the end of the walk, I’d halve duration to one hour and see if that makes a difference. He could be mentally or physically over tired which will definitely impact his behaviour. I’m suspicious of the pain element too….i know the vet has said it isn’t,but if they’ve just done a general consult with manipulations, an excited and/or stressed dog may well show no pain response- ie it’s an unreliable result.
If shorter walks solve it, you’ve found the reason, if not, I would employ a trainer to come on a walk with you at a push,video him doing it and get some advice

Is breakfast before or after walk?
We solved this issue by not feeding him until after his walk. End of walk = breakfast which is also a very good thing.
Also had the side effect of making him more keen to take a training treat on walks so better recall etc.
Before we did this we would regularly have lying down refusing to move. Especially refusing to get in the car to go home (not scared of the car as he was always keen to get in on the way there)

We solved this issue by not feeding him until after his walk. End of walk = breakfast which is also a very good thing.

You need to be really careful with this - you shouldn't be feeding meals right before or after exercise as it can cause bloat.

My lab used to be scared of cars and so if she knew we were going towards a road she would just fully lie down and refuse to budge. I feel your pain! I also had to gently pull on her collar but upwards not towards me to encourage her to get up. And just built up her exposure slowly to cars and roads. They are definitely stubborn creatures aren’t they!

I thought it was a meal before exercise that was the issue. His routine is wake up, walk straight away, breakfast, lie down until lunch so he always has a good rest after his food

It's both - you should always leave a gap of about an hour either side of exercise to feed. It's more of an issue in larger dogs but it an occur in any breed.