My dog does not like going for a walk - any ideas why?

blue_monkey_2

If I get the lead my dog, who has just turned 1, goes back to bed or hides. I drag her out of the front door and then she pulls all the way around as she wants to get back home.

We live in a quite places and I've tried going to places where there are dogs (but I have to drive a way for that and it is a bit hit and miss as I walk in the day and not many people seem to). I have a harness for her which she seems better on, as well as the collar.

Why would she not like going for a walk? Any ideas? I cannot let her off the lead as she is too strong and too friendly and she would jump up at people, including children, and knock them over (Staffy x Char Pei) If she saw someone in the distance she would be off and she will not recall as she just loves being around people. She is not the slightest bit interested in food or a toy while we are out.

She has never liked going for a walk and we have had her since 14 weeks, it is not a new thing. She just seems to want to be at home.

I've just tried to take her out and she is hiding so I've decided to ask here. Any ideas on how I can make her enjoy it more?

hethmar

I guess she has had a good check over at the vet and doesnt have a feet/legs/hip/back problem?

blue_monkey_2

hethmar wrote: »

I guess she has had a good check over at the vet and doesnt have a feet/legs/hip/back problem?

Yes, she has been checked, they laughed when I said she just seemed lazy and said she would get used to it.

She runs around the garden like a loon and she will play with my friends dogs for hours and hours just fine. But it is just getting her out for a walk. Nothing has ever spooked her, she is fine with other dogs, people, traffic. Absolutely nothing I can think of is a problem. I've walked her on a lead, halti, harness, vary where I walk to see if that makes a difference, she just seems to prefer being at home.

I'll carry on taking her obviously but just wanted to know if there was anything I could do to make it more enjoyable for her. It would be nice to see her get excited about going out for a walk.

hethmar

Yes, it sounds a shame that she is unhappy about it. Must be a reason. Do you have any behavioural assistance cover on your pet insurance policy?

What about if your friend came round with her dog and then you went out together?

devildog

Hello,
I can't tell you why but as you have said she will play happily with friend's dogs I would suggest that you arrange to go on walks with your friends and their dogs, it may just give her that little extra bit of confidence.

Incidentally it is Shar Pei (and I am so jealous)

chris_n_tj

Hi Blue do you use a collar or harness please

blue_monkey_2

I use either tbh, at the moment it is the harness, she still pulls but walks much better on the harness, if I ask her to wait she will(I say wait instead of heel) whereas on the collar it was a constant fight and she was choking most of the way. The harnessis easier on both of us, but neither have made a lot of difference.

My friend lives quite a way away and when we visit every few weeks we being/take the dogs - her dog has just been spayed so they get no playtime for a few weeks now anyway. The people I know with dogs - I have no idea hen they get walked as they seem to be out of busy when I am free and walking mine.

She is a Char Pei crossed with a staffy, basically she is a big staffie with a curly tail, LOL, each day her tail seems to get curlier and curlier and her eyes look like char pei's otherwise you could not tell.

I tried to organise a 'dog walking circle' so I could all go out with other owners but no-one seems interested during the day, or they walk their dogs to school with them and then they go off to work. I live right next to the school so I drop the kids off and then take her. I even asked the lady who did our dog training and she did not know of any groups either. She is fine going in the car and travels well.

It's just a little niggle I suppose but I'd like to get to the bottom of it.

There is a 'dog whisperer' who lives locally who charges £60 for a 2 hour home visit but I am not sure whether it would be worth it.

chris_n_tj

As another poster has said try and walk with another dog, would one of your doggy friends let you take one of their dogs out with you? Seeing another dog enjoying a walk might help.
If it was me I would just keep trying, lots of praise and happy talk.
But she just might be a home girl that isnt bothered about walkies.
TJ loves his walks but if we go to the left towards the train lines he develops the strong willed I am not going that way stance. He doesnt like the noise the trains make.
Chris n TJ

Mankysteve

Does you dog get to play with your neighbours dog every day? Could it be that she is being tired out by that?

foreign_correspondent

you have had her since she was a pup IIRC - has she always been like this?

elsien

Any toys that she likes playing with that you could throw for her once you got to a more open bit (presuming you have a long enough lead that is)?