Dog won't go for a walk, help.

[Ecci]

We have a red golden retriever who was rescued from the appalling dog meat trade in China.

We've had her about 6 months and when we got her she was very closed down and scared of lots of things. This has improved enormously, although she still gets scared at times.

We have 2 other dogs and they all get on well.

When she first came she was happy to go for a walk with our other girls but over the last couple of months she started going a short way and then stopping and refusing to move. It is possible to sometimes cajole her into moving forward a little and the sometimes, but not usually, she will then carry on.

We have tried encouraging her with treats, lots of hugs and rubs, but it makes no difference.

We haven't all been going together for a couple of weeks due to my husband's dodgy hip playing up. She does better if we all go or if he takes her with one of the others.

This morning was the worst ever. She was happy to have her harness put on and to come to the gate but she wouldn't go any further.

Strangely, if we go with a friend and friend's dog, our girl will go along with no hesitation or stopping. If we see someone on our walk she is always keen to say hello to them (rural area so we don't meet many people). The walks are only on the road for a short distance, very little traffic, and then off road on public footpaths, bridleways etc.

We're at a loss to know what to try to encourage her to go. Any advice gratefully received.

Oh our dog is similar! If I'm on my own he will only walk to a certain point. With others he will walk anywhere! This is only on the road, if we go to a forest/ bridal way etc he's happy- usually goes off lead.

What happens if you put her in the car and drive her to the walk?

The walks are nearly always from our house which is in the middle of a huge network of footpaths.
Last week we took them all out in the car and had a walk. She stopped after a few minutes but we eventually managed to get her going again. She seemed to enjoy the walk once we got her past the stoppage.

I wonder if she has a bit of joint pain? It's often worse when they start exercising and then wears off. I think a vet check and trying pain relief alongside a good supplement mightbe worth a go.

Is she too hot? Or she's in pain? Worth getting her checked out. Having said that our dog (bloody stubborn schnauzer) is often the same on the lead.

We had a GR who started to stand and stare at walls. The vet rubbed her hands over the dog who winced when the pulled muscle was touched. Maybe you could do this when yours stops. Just an idea.

One of my dogs did this and it turned out that he had hypothyroidism and a heart murmur. Once he had the correct medication he was much better, but still showed more enthusiasm when we turned for home.

I would get a vet check.

However this is quite a goldie trait.

If you are given the all clear healthwise might be worth thinking about when you treat her.

At the moment Walking fine gets no treats Stops walking gets treats to move on.

Change it to rewarding randomly when moving rather than rewarding when not moving but to get moving.

This is a really good idea, thanks. We have tried treats a few times to get her moving again but I was reluctant as don't want her to think stopping gets you a treat.

I'm going to get some primula squeezy cheese to try as a 'on the move' treat. We used to use it with a reactive dog we had and it worked well.

She's been vet checked and no indication of pain. She will happily run round in the garden with children.

Don't think it's the heat. I've been getting up very early to take them all walking before it gets warm.

I still think it's an anxiety thing and we need to figure out a way to change her mindset.