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Post by windowdog on Apr 22, 2008 11:49:57 GMT -5
Ok this is just odd. Yesterday I took my dog out for her evening walk and after going two or three houses she just stopped and refused to go any further. I tried waiting her out, but after five minutes she was still straining back towards the house. So I tried pulling her just to get her going, but that turned into me dragging her down the street by her collar.
I've never had a dog just refuse to walk before, especially when it's usually her favorite time of the day. So I tried walking the other way and taking our route backwards, but she would only go about ten houses the other way and then stopped dead in her tracks again. Finally after more coaxing and finally tugging failed I just decided that maybe she REALLY wasn't in the mood for a walk, so I took her back to the house and let her chill out in the back yard for a while.
I was hoping it was a one time quirk but she did the same thing again this morning. I tried not using her choker chain that the rescue gave for her. (Working on getting one of those no choking martingale collars.) She hates the chain collar so I tightened her normal one and took the chain off, but even using just her normal collar she still wouldn't budge.
I've had dogs not want to go certain routes, and I've had dogs be too afraid to walk. But she seems fine until she stops walking and starts pulling back to the house. Then she has her tail tucked but I think that's more b/c she is in a tug of war with me on the leash.
I'm just completely baffled on this one. Any ideas?
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Post by AmyJo27 on Apr 22, 2008 13:23:02 GMT -5
I would take treats or a toy she loves and coax her to you and when she starts taking steps reward her. Also, I would definetly stop using the choke chain and dont drag her! Make it an enjoyable and a rewarding experience!
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Post by windowdog on Apr 22, 2008 13:56:41 GMT -5
I'll try the treats, she doesn't really have any favorite toy, her attention span is way too short for her to get attached I think. But really she's also pretty hard to bribe with food, she takes treats when she's in the mood, but often she isn't.
I'm wondering if maybe she has a cut on her foot or something, I'll check that out when I get home.
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 22, 2008 14:26:46 GMT -5
This is a new foster dog, right? Very often rescue dogs come from unsettling backgrounds, do not get enough socialization or training, and can be insecure.
ladypitbull's suggestions are right on. I'd also like to suggest that you
a) walk her to the point just BEFORE she is balking, then turn around and take her home. She wants to go home - so we are showing her that walking forward allows her to go home. Make note of where you are when you turn around to go home, and next walk take one step further, and so on.
b) make walking fun by trying to get her to play, eat treats, etc. She might not have any clue as to what fun a walk could be, and she needs her confidence built up. Any pulling, tugging, or dragging won't help her attitude, so try to avoid those things.
c) avoid following her when she is pulling back towards the house. Try anything you can to coax her even a foot or two forward, and then reward her forward movement by letting her head back to the house.
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Post by windowdog on Apr 22, 2008 14:52:03 GMT -5
I'll try your tips... it's just odd we've had her almost a month now and walks are her favorite part of the day. I guess something must have set her off, I just can't imagine what.. She isn't stopping the same place every day. I'll have to put some thought into this.
Thanks for the tips.
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 22, 2008 15:03:45 GMT -5
I wonder if there is any pain involved? Also, sometimes dog form some kind of negative association with things, and perhaps something hurt or startled her unbeknownst to you on a walk a short distance from the house and she is frightened now.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Apr 22, 2008 20:55:49 GMT -5
Yeah, has she recently got loose or has she had a bad experince at that spot? I would check her feet to be sure there are no cuts! Also, have you changed anything in her diet(new food, new treats ect.) maybe her stomache has been upset?!? I would check her body over!
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Post by AmyJo27 on Apr 22, 2008 20:57:27 GMT -5
Also, try walking a different route and avoiding that spot she stops at! Maybe that will help!
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Post by windowdog on Apr 23, 2008 9:15:19 GMT -5
Mystery solved, I think, she's got a cut on her pad right at the edge, almost between her toes. Must have been too painful to walk. Now I'm just not sure what the do until it heals. She is going absolutely nuts around the house and in the backyard without her walks. Not being destructive but she looks like the Tasmanian devil somtimes, I feel bad and wish I could give her more excercise, but without her being willing to walk long distances I'm not sure how.
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Post by AmyJo27 on Apr 23, 2008 10:35:40 GMT -5
I would play with her in your house! Thats weird that she will run around the house but not walk?!? Maybe if she likes to play fetch, or tug-o-war ect! Is her cut bad?
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