Finally, your puppy is moving in with you. Surely, you are looking forward to shared adventures and many delightful walks. Typically, furry companions are just as excited about heading outdoors. However, there are times when they throw a curveball your way, and puppies refuse to go for a walk. This can have various reasons, but with the right approach, you can handle it effectively.
Why Go for a Walk?
Taking your dog for a walk serves several crucial purposes. Naturally, it allows the dog to relieve itself outdoors. Additionally, walking is essential for socialization, engagement, and exercise. With puppies, special attention should be given to socialization – how your dog interacts with other people, animals, and especially with its peers. Puppies that have had negative experiences or very few experiences in this regard can quickly display undesirable behavior or react fearfully to the outside world. Therefore, walking is a vital aspect of puppy training.
Moreover, your furry friend gets the opportunity to play and run around. The larger the dog, the more exercise it needs. Especially if you live in an apartment, ensuring sufficient movement is crucial to keeping your pet balanced.
Lastly, going for a walk strengthens the bond between you and your dog, and it serves as training for obedience.
Therefore, walking is an indispensable part of dog care. Thus, it becomes more noticeable when the puppy doesn’t want to go for a walk.
How the Puppy Expresses Reluctance
Typical for puppies is sitting down. Young dogs may sit inside the house or apartment, refusing to leave at all. They might resist coming to you to have their leash, harness, or collar put on. While some puppies follow you outside, they then sit down and refuse to move further. This can happen right in front of the door, on the street, or in the middle of the walk. Some puppies even lie down when they lose interest.
Various reasons underlie this behavior. Most of them prove to be completely harmless. However, handling them correctly is crucial – there is indeed a wrong and a right way to walk puppies.
Fear as a Cause
One possible reason why your puppy doesn’t want to go for a walk is simply fear. The little dog is unfamiliar with the world, has never been on a proper walk. Outside, there are numerous new sounds in an unfamiliar environment. Especially if the puppy moves from a quiet area to a busier neighborhood or a noisy street, the noise may overwhelm them. In such a case, it’s best to carry the puppy to a quieter spot. Over time, gradually let them down until they can handle the entire walk on their own. Additionally, consider scheduling walks during less busy times. Give your puppy enough time to acclimate to everything, preventing negative experiences.
However, puppies might have had hindering experiences already. In such cases, a lot of patience and empathy are required.
By the way, some dogs fear the dark or react more nervously to movements and objects. If you notice that your puppy only has issues with walking in the dark, schedule longer walks during daylight hours. Otherwise, well-lit streets and shorter routes are suitable to alleviate stress for your furry friend.
Overwhelm and Adjustment Period
When your puppy has just moved in with you, it needs time to get used to its new home. Even exploring the new spaces can be quite exciting for them. Therefore, allow your puppy the time to acclimate, and avoid planning extensive walks in the beginning. Step by step, as they feel more secure, young dogs will expand their activity radius.
The unfamiliar environment brings along new impressions, smells, and sounds, which can mentally overwhelm some puppies. The same applies to walks that are too long or strenuous, causing the puppy to reach its physical limits and not wanting to go for a walk anymore. You can often recognize overwhelm through frantic looks, yawning, frequent licking of the mouth, and sitting down. Stay calm and relaxed. Do not scold or pull on the leash. Instead, try to lure them with encouragement, toys, or treats. Alternatively, you can carry your puppy for a while.
Too Hot or Cold Temperatures
Temperature plays a crucial role in a puppy’s enthusiasm for walks. In very low or high temperatures, young dogs generally prefer staying indoors. If it’s too warm outside, schedule longer walks for early mornings or evenings when it’s cooler. Take short breaks in the heat for your dog to relieve itself. Choose shaded paths and grassy areas to prevent your puppy from burning its paws on heated asphalt or sand. Always carry some water for the dog.
Similarly, many dogs dislike cold, wet weather. Breeds with short fur and no undercoat are prone to freezing and can quickly get hypothermia in snow and rain. Special dog clothing can remedy this. Once the dog is no longer cold, it will likely want to go for a walk with you again. Longer walks are best during the somewhat warmer midday and afternoon hours.
Fatigue
If your puppy has just played vigorously or was about to take a nap, it might be tired and, therefore, not interested in going for a walk. This also depends on the breed. Breeds that require less movement and are not considered athletic may get tired more quickly. In such cases, let your puppy rest. It will enjoy a walk more when it’s energetic and alert.
Puppies can also get tired on too-long walks. If your puppy keeps sitting down after some time and refuses to go further, it’s a sign of fatigue. A bit of water and a short break may revive your puppy’s spirits. Otherwise, you can carry them the rest of the way and choose a shorter route next time.
Ill-fitting Collar or Harness
Have you tried using a different leash? Some dogs may actually want to go for a walk but find their collars or harnesses uncomfortable. It might be too tight, or the leash’s pull causes pressure points. If your puppy resists putting on a collar or harness, the apparent unwillingness to go for a walk may not be related to walking itself. Adjust the collar or get a different size. In general, harnesses are more comfortable for dogs as they distribute pressure evenly. Especially if you often need to stop your puppy abruptly or if leash training is at the beginning of their education, a harness is beneficial as it avoids constricting the neck with every stronger pull. Of course, the harness should also be the right size and fit well.
Illness
If your puppy refuses to go for a walk and exhibits additional symptoms, there may be an underlying illness. Pay attention, especially to lethargy, apathy, and a general lack of desire to move. In puppies, these can be signs of conditions such as febrile infections or musculoskeletal injuries, often occurring after overly vigorous play. If you suspect illness, consult your veterinarian. They will provide further assistance.
What Not to Do When Your Puppy Refuses to Go for a Walk – An Overview
When dealing with puppies that don’t want to go for a walk, there are some taboos you should be aware of. They only worsen the problem, turning a small issue into a big one. Avoid the following behaviors:
- Do not pull on the leash: Never force the puppy to continue walking with violence. Walking on a leash should be a positive experience for the dog, ensuring success in every situation. Additionally, coercion exacerbates feelings of fear. Force can also have negative mental and physical effects, especially when the puppy is exhausted.
- Use treats judiciously: While treats can occasionally lure your puppy, and of course, reward them when they handle a situation well, smart dogs quickly learn that they receive a treat whenever they sit down and refuse to continue. They might exploit this and manipulate you. So, don’t always resort to treats immediately. Consider the specific reason for the sitting. Also, puppies often resume walking on their own after a short time.
- Don’t be impatient: Even though it may be challenging, impatience achieves little with your puppy. Your role is to remain calm and composed as the pack leader, radiating confidence. Impatience or nervousness only reinforces your dog’s sense that its own restlessness is justified. Puppies need time to explore and learn. Give them that time and support them.
Tips and Tricks for Successful Walks – Overview
Here are some tips and tricks to turn challenging walks into successful ones:
- Wait to see if your dog continues on its own: Before you start calling and enticing your puppy, stop and wait. Many puppies find it boring to sit for too long, and they will resume moving on their own. Praise your dog when it does.
- Reward your dog for walking, not for standing: If you use treats to lure or reinforce your puppy, be mindful of the right moment. If you want to give the treat when it stands up and continues, make sure to reward it only when it’s actually walking. Otherwise, you’re rewarding it for sitting, teaching it the wrong behavior. At the same time, the treat should not come too late after standing up, or else your puppy won’t associate the positive reinforcement with walking.
- Ensure your home is out of sight: Young puppies, especially, often feel overwhelmed by the countless new stimuli affecting their hearing, smelling, and vision. They may be hesitant to leave the safety of their home. When attempting to go for a walk, they may keep turning around and not really want to proceed. Therefore, it is helpful to carry the puppy a little way until your home is out of sight. This way, the puppy won’t be distracted by its familiar surroundings, making it less likely to pull back.
- Stick to regular times: Try to establish a walking routine and stick to it. This gives your puppy a structured daily schedule, providing a sense of security and order. In general, puppies need consistent rules in their training.
- Be generous with praise: If your puppy has done something well, let it know. Praise can come in the form of treats, but also through affectionate gestures and kind words.
