Why doesn't my boy like to walk?

[pugmummy]

Hi All,

I have two babies, brother and sister, Digby and Skoshi. Skoshi is the alpha; she's a little bit bigger than her bother (in spite of her name) and she seems quicker to develop/catch on/explore/try new things...Digby on the other hand, bless his little heart, he won't walk on a leash. He will just plant himself on the ground or in the grass and put his little paws forward as if to stand his ground. I don't understand, my first boy (rest his soul) Kithy LOVED to go for a walk - he would even jump into his harness. Digby, well, he just digs in (perhaps more appropriately named than I could have planned) and winds up going for a bit of a drag rather than a walk.

It's really frustrating too because I have to pick them both up and carry them in/out of the house and Digby will only go potty wherever I place him. And I have to wait. Whereas if he would just walk, then he'd be getting exercise, his sister would be getting exercise (I'd be getting exercise) and then I could walk them 'til they're both all pooped and peed out.

Help?

Thanks,
Michelle

[Tinker's mom]

Have you had his hips and knees checked out? Have you tried walking him without his sister?Have you tried enticing him with treats?

[pugaddiction]

I had a border collie who at first hated her leash. She did the same thing, planted herself, backed up and cried. So I clipped the leash on her in the house and let her drag it around for a few days until she got used to it. Of course she only had it on when supervised, not too worry. Hope this helps.

[CountryPug]

I have to agree with bribing him with treats:) Most pugs are very food motivated.....take a few steps, get a treat....a few more steps and another treat until he gets the idea. Hope this works!

[Hellas]

How old is Digby? My Winston didn't like going on walks on the leash when he was a puppy. He would just plant himself in the street. If he's still little, I don't think you should force the issue. Does he move around a lot in the house? Does he run and play? If not, I'd check out his hips.

[Oregon Pug Mom]

Like Hellas said we don't know how old your guys are--but I think working with him alone after he's worn the leash around the house for 10 minutes or so a few times & using treats should help. When Marley first starting walking after all her vaccinations she was very hesitate & I finally got the idea she didn't like the mesh harness so I got one of the step-in ones & that also definately helped her attitude. I also took her out in the back yard for our practice cause I thought it might help to be in known terrritory.

[mattjs]

I've gotten Winter used to the leash by doing what has been suggested above: hook it up and let her go around the apartment to get use to it. I also walk with her inside. When she does dig in like you describe, I try to use that as a chance to have her come to me. When she does, she gets treats and praise. If it takes her longer than I'd like, I switch directions and walk the other way.

The other thing that I try to keep in mind is that it can be easy for her to get overtired since she's still just a lil thing. Try to keep your sessions on the leash short and slowly work up to longer times.

Also! I do clicker training with Winter, and I'll click/treat her when she's walking the way I want. Good luck!

[Hellas]

I've gotten Winter used to the leash by doing what has been suggested above: hook it up and let her go around the apartment to get use to it. I also walk with her inside. When she does dig in like you describe, I try to use that as a chance to have her come to me. When she does, she gets treats and praise. If it takes her longer than I'd like, I switch directions and walk the other way.

The other thing that I try to keep in mind is that it can be easy for her to get overtired since she's still just a lil thing. Try to keep your sessions on the leash short and slowly work up to longer times.

Also! I do clicker training with Winter, and I'll click/treat her when she's walking the way I want. Good luck!

I totally agree with this! Small puppies don't really need excercise, so there's no need to walk them for more than 5-15 minutes. It's normal for them to have a short attention span, to want to play with leaves, twigs, pieces of paper etc that they find in the street. Not wanting to walk is also quite normal when they're young.

[pugmummy]

Thank you all for the advice and info...I'm glad to know my boy is normal. They're 11 weeks old and Digby runs and plays with his sister all over the house chasing...being chased...and when I would have him outside it was like he would only walk when ever he felt like it or when he was playing with his sister Skoshi. So right now I am letting him run around for a few minutes with the harness and leash on and then I will take him out by himself (with a treat hidden in my hand) and will reward him generously when he takes a few steps.

Again it is such a relief this site, it's members, the advice and information and support. I am so glad you're all here. Yay1 my puppy is just being a puppy! Yay!

Cheers,
Michelle

[CountryPug]

Well that explains it.....at 11 weeks old he's just learning. I remember when I was leash training my first pug, I would start out walking him down the street and next thing I would look down and he would be rolling in the dirt lol. Some pups pick it up naturally and with others it takes time. Be patient with him and he will learn:)