[JasonB]

Hi all! My 3 1/2 month golden does NOT enjoy going for walks. I try to take him on a walk every morning before work, but it does not always go as planned. Sometimes he doesn't want to leave the house, and once i get him out of the house and walk down the driveway, he just sits on the sidewalk and doesn't move. This morning i tried coaxing him down the street with some treats, it work a little bit until he decided he was done and just sat down and wouldn't move. Whenever I turn around to walk back the house, he leads the way no problem! If I bring him somewhere foreign, he is pretty good on the leash and walks around no problem, but whenever he knows he is going for a walk around the neighborhood, his stubbornness kicks in and he wants no part of it! Has anyone had the same experience or have any recommendations?!
Thank you!
Jason & Tito

 

[DJdogman]

Don't worry that is very normal and will get better, very soon he'll be the one trying to coax YOU out for walks
I would just bring him for small walks around the garden for now, and then very slowly make the walks longer. He is still just a tiny baby and is overwhelmed by the outside world. Don't force him or push him too far as it could make him more afraid. Just be patient and within a few weeks he will be going further and further.
p.s. what a gorgeous name, Tito

 

[Themmen]

my girl did the same thing at around that age. it lasted a few weeks and then she was pulling me to go for a walk anytime we were outside. it will pass.

 

[Skyedog]

I thought I was the only one! My now 6th month old hates walks...sometimes. We just never know. I usually take treats, and toss them ahead of him so he will get up and move. He has been known to plop right down in the street, roll over on his side and not move. It was easier when he weighed 20 lbs, but at 56 there is no way to move him.

One thing that worked was what we called meat juice! I can't remember the actual brand, but it is basically meat flavored liquid with a roll top like deodorant. You just hold it upside down, and they lick it as they walk. In theory anyway. Also taking along his favorite toy and tangling it in front of him, sort of carrot and stick theory.

I have noticed that as the weather has cooled off (yes it was chilly in Florida this morning!) he is very coopertive.

 

[Bailey'sParents]

My Bailey did the exact same thing around that age. For ours, I think it might have been one of those fear phases. Also, he was going through a huge growth spurt at that time and seemed to have no energy. What I would do with him was play in the yard a lot, as well as set up puppy play dates with other people we knew that had puppies. In addition, we'd often just sit outside on the front lawn and he'd just sit and sniff the air and watch his surroundings. I think that made him more comfortable with the neighborhood.

Now at 6 months old he really enjoys his walks! You'll get there! Patience is key.

 

[2cats1dog]

We have the same issue sometimes. Most of the time she will happily go on a walk, but there is a lot of stopping and sitting along the way. A 10 minute walk takes us like 30 minutes! But there are times when we don't even leave the driveway and she plops her butt down and won't move. I figure it's a phase and she'll eventually learn to love walks.

 

[iansgran]

Will most likely change. My dogs were not big into walks as puppies.

 

[_bella_]

Is there anyone in the neighborhood with a kind and calm adult dog? If so, you could try joining them for part of their walk. Another option is to carry him away from the house and have him walk back on his own. Extend the distance a little each day.
Maybe it's fear and insecurity, or that it's a little boring?
Fun playing, food, and safety of the den is back there and you want him to go away from it.
Bella wouldn't relieve herself outside of our garden for quite a few weeks and got very nervous sniffing other dogs poops so for her walks were a little scary.