for the past few months my dog doesnt like to go for walks anymore how can i fix this?

Question

my dog is 2 years old. I would take her out for walks every few hours and she wouldnt have a problem going out. now when i take her out she lets me put the leash on her but then refuses to walk. i drag her a few steps then she will walk, then she will stop, so i will drag her again. eventually she will walk but it is very difficult. she has always been a little pre madonna kind of dog, but doesnt she have to go to the bathroom? cause she isnt going in the house. even when she has to go to the bathroom she still doesnt want to walk.

Answer 1

There could be two reasons for this - one physical, one mental.

Physical -- something physical has changed, and walking isn't comfortable for her any more. Watch her the rest of the time - does she hesitate to get up, or move stiffly? Does she seem to have trouble defecating? If it hurts, she'll want to avoid it.

Mental -- something's happening when she goes on a walk that she doesn't enjoy, so she'd prefer to avoid it. Is she encountering a dog she doesn't get along with? Getting yelled at? What's changed in her environment?

How do you take her out? Do you seem relaxed and happy, or tense? True, at this point you might be tense because you expect to have trouble, but try to look past that - you're trying to convince your dog that a walk will be fun, and you can't do that if you seem tense.

You're going to have to play detective to figure this one out. Watch how she moves, her body language. Is her tail tucked under? If so, when does it happen? Is there anything she tries to avoid?

It could be something as simple as "We were on the elevator and it made a noise and bumped once, and it scared her." Try varying her routine (take the stairs, if you normally take the elevator, or the reverse).

Also, take a pocketful of very small training treats. Any time she behaves the way you want her to, treat and praise her. Any time she encounters something that makes her tense, stop - don't force her toward it. Let her calm down, treat and praise, then get a little closer.

If the cause isn't physical, then you'll have to watch her to find out what it is that's bothering her, and work with her to convince her that walking is a fun thing. Good luck!

Answer 2

well im not sure, maybe try making walking a game. give her lots of priase once she starts walking dont drag her and make her scared. does she have anything health problems coming on? try getting a long leash like 10 feet and throwing a ball for her to go after or some kind of game. or when she starts to walk praise her and give her a treat, something quick and easy but when she doesnt walk dont yell at her just say walk then when she does treats and praise but if you do it you have to do it everytime to train her this is a good way to get her to know the word "walk" but it takes time and patients.

Answer 3

Is she acting OK otherwise? Is she active and playful? Has anything changed in her behavior recently besides not wanting to walk? Has anything changed physically? Pay close attention. I don't want to scare you but it could be a medical problem. I just lost my dog today from a blood disease (AIHA). If you answered yes to any of the above questions please have her checked out by your vet.
Hoping all is OK,
Sunny

Answer 4

Have you switched her diet?
Sometimes dogs get depressed, and just wont go for a walk...
Its hard to tell without actually seeing the dogs behavior.

encourage her to walk by bringing treats along with you, she walks, give her a treat, if she doesn't, scold her, then she will walk and you give her a treat.

Basically RE-TRAIN HER.

Answer 5

Is your dog feeling well. Is she eating & going to the bathroom as she should. 2yrs old she should be quite active. Maybe time to pay attention to her she may need to see a vet.

Answer 6

just bring some snacks with u show your dog and she'll follow give her one everyonce in a while but make sure not to many or she'll get fat