Causes and solutions to make walkie time happy.
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My dog does not want to walk. Help!
Imagine this scenario:
Your dog loves to play off-leash at dog parks, happily trotting beside you and staying close.


But the minute you put their leash on? That’s when the trouble begins.
Suddenly they dig their nails into the ground and lean their weight back. If your pup has a flair for the dramatic, he’ll lay on the floor or slump on his side and pretend to play dead. Anything to prevent them from walking.
Sure, their anti-march tactics are cute…until it happens for the 17the times on the same walk! And you Really want to come home, warm up and watch your favorite doggy movie on Netflix.
Sound familiar? Well, you are not alone…
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Sunny’s story: Our dog won’t walk!
Yes, it’s true… our beautiful Sunny happens to be a stubborn dog who refuses to walk in certain places or in certain directions. The only time it will pick up a decent pace is when we’re near home (the nerve!)
Needless to say, this kills the joy of our daily walks. So much so that we even joked about giving her a pram, in a desperate attempt to have a nice family walk.
Pram daydreams aside, we knew we needed help – so we turned to Pretty Fluffy pet expert and canine behaviorist Sophia Gillis.
Read on for Sophia’s expert dog walking tips and some common reasons why your dog may refuse to walk.
From Sophia:
Reasons your dog won’t walk
There are several reasons why you might describe your dog as a “stubborn walker” on a leash.
These reasons can range from anxiety or fear of something to lack of dog training and socialization.
Let’s run through (pun fully intentional!) a few scenarios of how this can happen:
ANXIETY:
Paddy was raised as a young pup on a quiet farm, before moving to a bustling suburb with his new parents.
He’s not used to all the road noise, and so many humans and dogs everywhere. This causes Paddy some anxiety, as he feels unsafe in his new surroundings.
TO BE FEARED:
Ernie was a perfectly balanced pup, until one day, while walking regularly with his dog, he was attacked by an off-leash dog.
Ultimately, this caused Ernie to develop a fear of dogs approaching him on his walks, whether on a leash or not.
LACK OF TRAINING & SOCIALIZATION:
Sparky is an excitable pup who loves everyone. This translates to its jumping and hopping on its hind legs, with the goal of moving forward and greeting someone new.
So when her parents try to discourage this behavior by gently tugging on her leash, Sparky gets upset and refuses to walk away from her new friends.
What can I do to encourage my dog to walk?
If any of the above scenarios sound familiar, here’s Here are five tips you can use to help your dog become more comfortable on leash walks.
1. Positive reinforcement training
Using high value dog treats and verbal praise to encourage your dog to move forward, while being guided by you, goes a long way.
Start by walking on a leash inside your home, or in your back or front yard (making sure either is fenced off from distractions) and gradually work your way up to going out for short walks in the neighborhood.
2. Dog walking accessories
Using the right size dog harness and collar is very important to ensure your pup is comfortable on walks.
A well-fitting dog collar and harness fit snugly on their body. It’s neither too tight nor too loose for them to easily get out of.
3. Leash Desensitization:
To help desensitize your dog to his leash, attach the leash to his collar. Then, leave his leash attached to your dog’s body as he walks around the house and yard.
The goal is to get your dog used to the feeling of movement on his neck, back, or chest.
(Don’t leave them unattended and discourage children from picking it up and pulling it!)
4. Ride different routes
Dogs are very similar to humans where they crave familiarity and routine. Generally, they thrive in this environment.
However, to make your dog comfortable being leashed, start walking in different directions as you exit your house or building.
Stay within a small radius around your house so your dog feels safe and feels like he could go home very soon.
5. Seek professional help
If the above dog walking tips help solve the problem you are having with your reluctant walker, great!
However, if the reason your dog is refusing to walk is more complicated, I recommend seeking the advice of a behavior specialist and professional dog trainer to work closely with your pup and properly resolve the issue. issue.
Final Thoughts
If I could leave you one piece of advice, it would be that being patient and consistent goes a long way!
Effective training sessions are not about blocking out long periods of time each day to work with your dog. Positive reinforcement training should be incorporated into all aspects of your daily life, to help build your dog’s confidence when walking on a leash.
So if you don’t already think a workout pouch or bum/bum bag is trendy, start thinking it is…because you need one!
References and additional materials:
- Teach your dog to walk on a loose leash | Society for the Protection of Animals
- Leash Responsiveness: How to Train an Anxious Dog on Walks
- Leash training: how to train a dog or puppy to walk on a leash
Before you leave…!
You might find these expert articles on dog training helpful:
About Sophia Gillis
Sophia Gillis has worked professionally with dogs and cats for over 13 years as a canine behaviorist, veterinary nurse and practice manager.
Sophia currently runs her own business with her trusted team, offering behavioral counseling and canine training, as well as dog sitting with a focus on controlled socialization. Sophia also offers short live phone and text consultations for pet parents in need of quick professional advice. She strongly believes in contributing to her local community and fostering good relationships with her clients.
Sophia is pictured here with Mush, her foster x Shih Tzu x Maltese Toy Poodle. Photo credit: Sarah Van Treel.
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