Dog refusing to walk.

[Downbadatthegym]

Hi all, I have a 4.5 year old cocker spaniel (working type) who has recently started refusing to walk at the beginning of walks. We have tried ignoring him and just waiting for him to get up again, coaxing him and rubbing his tummy when he rolls over to reassure him and my husband has even shouted at him (really don’t think this helps one bit but it’s hard to communicate this to my husband when he’s frustrated).
Does anyone have any ideas why this could be?
He LOVES his walks one we are out and he would play for hours with his ball but we literally have to carry him across the street at times.
We have had him since he was a puppy and he is a very happy and social dog other than this problem over the past few months.

He sounds scared if he’s rolling over. I’d take him out the door and play a fun game of find the whatever he finds rewarding then in again. You can also reward him for choosing to move. You need to start the game before the worry starts so it will require some nuance and observation.

Shouting at him will make him far worse. I know because I did it once with mine when I was tired and frustrated and it took months to rebuild that trust in the same situation. We’re all human and it happens but try not to do it again.

Any other different behaviour? Do you think he has any pain?

I don’t think he is in pain but I am going to look into some joint supplements because he is an active dog. He is the sweetest boy, he has been fine for both of his walks today even though both of the children were on their bikes which sometimes worries him. It seems very random.

He is very submissive, he lies down when he sees other dogs walking past us too. He is very confident with people in general and gets lots of attention, we aren’t in the UK anymore and people adore him here.
I will try coaxing with the ball perhaps to remind him we are going to play.
He is very sensitive to our stress so shouting definitely makes it worse.

Sounds like a confidence issue. My dog is the same. Highly intelligent but with it highly sensitive. If something scares her she doesn’t forget.

If he were mine that’s what I would do. Mine got jumped on as a pup repeatedly by a neighbours dog who used to be allowed to run around our area whilst he was loading his truck. She’s not forgotten so likes to check he’s not around when leaving our house and walking to our car. She’s a lot better as it’s not happened for a long while but sometimes she will stop and just take it in. We let her then reward her for moving on. I’ve also taken her out and done lots of fun play around his house and that has helped. Any hint of his dog being out then I carry her (she’s 7 Kg).

Any change of behaviour needs to be checked out by a vet first. Always. No reputable behaviourist would ever work with an animal until medical causes had been totally ruled out. Given professionals won’t offer advice until medical reasons ruled out, well meaning, non professionals should be careful about offering opinions too.

Anyone’s advice, recommendations and experiences here can only be a guess at best. You need to go to a vet.

Shouting at a dog is cruel, abusive, distressing and a choice. If your husband manages to control his frustration at work and in other situations then shouting at your defenceless, totally dependant dog is 100% a choice.

He doesn't need joint supplements, he needs a vet check. It's very common for animals to mask pain - and the fact that he happily plays with his ball doesn't mean he's not hurting. It just means the joy of playing overrides the pain he might be in.

The submissive behaviour could also be fear - likely not helped by your husband shouting at him, especially if it's also hurting him to walk out of the house.

Is this just recently and is it on hard surfaces like roads and pavements? Because certainly around here they have been salting and gritting the surfaces and my dog objects to the grit and sometimes her paws get sore (we road run quite a lot but I've had to stop until it rains and washes the salt off the roads). Have you checked his paws and/or tried washing his feet every time you get in?

Firstly, get him thoroughly checked over by a vet. You do need to rule out anything physical which may not be obvious to you. Secondly, you imply that your DH has a short fuse? I hate to say this, but could he have scared the dog on a walk at some point? If it isn't a health issue then I think he's been frightened by something.

He will be going to the vet next week as he is due a rabies vaccine anyway, I will ask them to check him. He is very playful inside still, often bringing his toys to me to play. I think it’s most likely he has been frightened, we live in quite a busy place with a lot of noise and people.
My husband can sometimes get annoyed like anyone else, the dog really hates shouting so on the rare occasion it happens he cowers. We used Zak George methods to train him and it really suited him, my husband actually led this so he knows it’s the best way.
We have two toddlers but really prioritise making sure the dog has two/ three walks a day which means sometimes we are rushing and stressed and it’s on these times he won’t walk- he does it for me too and I never shout.
He has just gone out happily with my husband after a bit of fuss and was happy for his other two walks today I’m guessing it’s because we are much more relaxed on a Saturday.

sometimes we are rushing and stressed and it’s on these times he won’t walk

I think you've just answered your own question!

Agree he needs a detailed vet check. Not just a hands over vet check but bloods and urine test as minimum.

Do not consider this a behavioural issue until all physical issues have been ruled out.