My Dog will only walk with me!?

Question

I Have two dogs; in the last 6 months one of the dogs refuses to walk with my husband. My husband walks fast and typically will walk the dogs 3-5 miles. We have been doing this for a couple of years. I on the otherhand, don't walk as fast and I usually take the dogs for 2 miles. My husband walks the dogs on a tight leash where I walk them on flexible, longer leashes. I let the dogs sniff and explore. Obviously the dog prefers my style (right or wrong), the issue is both my husband and I are not flexible with changing our own way of walking the dogs. I know the obvious answer is that we have to be consistent, and/or need to only let him out when and if he goes with my husband. For obvious reasons, we really don't want to do that. The dog is 7 years old, healthy and really does love to walk so it isn't an issue with his age or ability to do longer, faster paced walks. Can anyone give me advise on how to beat handle this issue. (Serious answers only!) Thank you in advance for your help

This is a pretty new ocurrence, he used to walk with my husband alone all the time. When we walk the dogs together, there is no issue. It's only when my husband is taking the dogs solo that he refuses to go.

Answer 1

If your 7 year old dog has been walking with your husband (and his style of walking) all his life until the last 6 months, I'd say the issue is his age. It's just possible this dog has the beginnings of arthritis and, while he still loves to walk, he can't handle either the distance or the speed.

Perhaps as he's getting older, you should take over the walking of this dog. By the way, your method is pretty well the one I've always used with all my dogs over the years. When we walk through fields, they're allowed to sniff around and lift their legs (the males do, anyway), but when we're walking on sidewalks, they've learned that they have to walk.

I'd also be thinking about giving him glucosamine chondroitin supplements daily. I don't know the size of your dog, but for my greyhounds, the vet told me they could have up to 1500 mg daily. As my dogs don't have symptoms, they get a 900 mg pill daily as a preventative to pain.

Answer 2

Walk the dog together. While walking the dog, maybe hand the leash to your husband for a little bit so the dog will get used to him. If that doesn't work, go to some training classes.

Answer 3

I can't see any reason why either of you should change your way of walking with the dog. Clearly, the dog prefers YOU. (I would, too!) Is this a "competitive" issue with you & your husband? How could you be "consistent"--you change, or your husband does? I think the dog has made the choice. Unless it's impossible for you to ALWAYS walk the dog, (seems your only choice if he "refuses" to walk with your husband). THE DOG WON'T CHANGE. Believe me! & good luck whatever you decide..

Answer 4

My dog is similar; she will walk whenever, however, with my mother, but is iffy with other members of the family. I am her primary walker however; my mother works a lot.

Basically, when my dog refuses to walk, I'll pull the leash and pretty much drag her a few steps; once she realizes I'm not going to give up, she usually bucks up and walks.

But I'm not an expert with techniques; mine is very basic. Perhaps your husband might like to try encouraging the dog to walk with treats? Or you and your husband could try walking the dog together for a little while. That was one technique my mother and I tried and it broke my dog of her habit for the most part; now her refusals are relatively sporadic.

Answer 5

Just like people, animals choose their favorite. I would take your dogs on walks with you and your husband, to familiarize your dogs with both people. Maybe then, after a while your husband can walk alone with the dog. But from the sound of it, they love your concept best. That is OK, if your husband can get his own concept.

Answer 6

ermmm you take care of that 7 years old dog and buy a new dog for ur hubby (a dog that want to walk fast and long distance) Then it's solved.
Ur hubby love to walk fast but u walk slow plus explore. i'll bet Dogs are same also.

Answer 7

If you are fine with it, let it be. You are right, the dog obviously just prefers to walk with you. If the dog wants to go bad enough and you are unavailable, he'll walk with your husband.

Answer 8

the dog will only walk with you because it considers you to be the "pack" leader and not your husband

Answer 9

it can be the dog lies you better then him or the dog likes the speed that you walk. you have two dog and is one of the dog walking with him and that other one walking with you or is it just one of the dog walking with both of you and the dog like to walk with you. write me for more informantion