Puppy Confusion Most puppies are in constant motion, but when a dog is first collared, the pressure around his neck can be enough to stop a busy puppy in his tracks. Pulling your puppy for an encouraging walk at this time is not helpful and may even make your puppy more difficult and resistant to what is happening to him. How to fix it? Before you take your dog for his first walk outdoors on a leash, let your puppy walk freely around the room or yard with the collar on, which will help him get used to the feel of something around his neck. Then pick up the leash, make sure there is no pressure on the leash, call your puppy in a pleasant tone of voice, and give him a tasty treat or caress when he finds you. Repeat the process, walking around the room and keeping this new game upbeat. Once your puppy comes to you, expecting the next treat and caress, you can put on the leash and take him outside to continue playing. Stemming from fear those dogs who have been previously deprived of socialization (no socialization exercises were done as puppies) may be nervous about the outside world, which may show reluctance or even refusal to go for walks. It is likely that your dog’s fear will be evident in other situations, such as meeting new people and encountering different voices, but parents often do not have this awareness. How to solve it? Try baby pacing to help you build your dog’s confidence – you shouldn’t do any marathon walk preparation at first. Your goal is to desensitize your dog to whatever he thinks is scary, and you reward him for moving in the right direction. So you can take your dog outside during off-peak hours and observe any rewardable behavior that resembles the start of a walk, which might be a slight glimpse of the street. You can mark the behavior with a ringer or verbally, such as immediately saying “Awesome!” and continue to reward with a high-value treat or caress. Then take your time, stay positive and gradually move your dog’s behavior from sweeping to finally walking. Collar comfort Many pet parents often choose to buy a sturdy collar and leash to ensure their dog’s safety, rather than realizing that oversized gear can make them uncomfortable, especially for puppies. The thickness of the collar and the weight of the buckle on the leash may feel like an anchor tied around your dog’s neck, which can also cause them to move slowly. And collars that are trained with pain, such as P-chains and electric collars, can have even more negative associations for your dog, to the point that they refuse to move when they are wearing them. How to fix it? Choose the lightest leash and collar that is safe for your dog. Stop relying on outdated tools that get your dog to obey your leash by stimulating the neck. Unknown pain There is nothing worse than thinking your dog is refusing to walk because he is stubborn, because often the result is that you find him hiding pain you didn’t know he was in. There are a variety of pathological issues that can make a dog uncomfortable. These include injuries caused by over-activity, to age-related pain, to orthopedic conditions, to tick-borne diseases, and even certain cancers. How do you fix it? Gently check your dog for any hidden pains, such as injured paw pads or nails. A sudden refusal to walk may be a sign of injury, so take your dog to your veterinarian to have the cause checked. A gradual reluctance to walk over time may mean your dog is perpetuating his pain, so make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss treatment options. Refusal by rescued dogs Some rescued dogs come from a wide variety of situations, from dogs running out of the backyard, to strays wandering the streets, to dogs rescued from breeding farms, all subconsciously refusing to be kept on a leash because the concept is completely foreign to him. Sure, he might otherwise be confident and happy in the world, but the feeling of a noose around his neck is enough to stop him in his tracks. How to fix it? Just like with early puppy training, a rescued stray dog needs the opportunity to first become familiar with what it’s like to be a dog. Have him tie his collar around the room or house and then do the same “come find me and I’ll give you a tasty treat” game. Reluctance to leave Sometimes dogs are reluctant to part with their beloved friends because they are having a good time outside, so they choose to stay where they are rather than continue their walks. How to solve it? Instead of cajoling, or worse, scolding, you turn away, ignore him, and make sure he doesn’t get accidentally reinforced by staying where he is. When he moves, no matter how small, a click of the ringer and a little encouragement can bring you to the point where you want to do what you hope to do. Patience and encouragement are needed, and you can eventually move on to a pleasant walk.
