Help! My Dog Refuses to Walk! (And How to Fix It!)

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Ever been there?

You’re enjoying a lovely walk with your furry best friend 🐕… sunshine, fresh air, maybe even a cheeky squirrel chase… and then BAM!

Your dog plants their paws, turns into a furry statue, and refuses to budge.

Sound familiar? 😅

It’s a super common problem, and trust me, you’re not alone!

Whether you’ve got a tiny terrier or a gentle giant, a doggy walk-strike can be frustrating… to say the least!

But don’t worry, there’s usually a reason behind it, and more importantly, there are things you can do!

Let’s dive into why your dog might be staging a walking protest.

In this article we’re reviewing the contents of an excellent dog training video from Happy Hounds Dog Training. You can find the video at the bottom of this article.

And, crucially, how to get them moving again… and enjoying those walks as much as you do! 🚶‍♀️➡️🐕

First Things First: Is it a Pain Problem? 🤕

Before we jump into training tips, let’s rule out any ouchies…

Just like us, if a dog is suddenly refusing to walk, the first thing to consider is whether they are in pain.

Think about it… if your dog was usually a happy walker and suddenly isn’t, pain could definitely be the culprit.

• Has your dog had a recent vet check-up? 🤔 If not, it’s always a good idea to start with a vet visit to rule out any underlying health issues.
• Could they have pulled a muscle, or have sore paws? Take a gentle look and feel… You know your dog best, so trust your gut!

If pain is the reason, no amount of training will help until they are feeling better.

So, vet check first, always! ✅

Could Fear Be Freezing Your Furry Friend? 😨

Okay, vet says your pup is healthy as can be… phew

But they still won’t walk.

What’s next?

Let’s consider fear…

Dogs, especially those with a bit of a sensitive side, can be easily spooked.

Think about it from their perspective… the big wide world can be a noisy and sometimes scary place! 🤯

• Traffic noise? 🚗 Loud trucks, honking cars… city sounds can be overwhelming for some dogs.
• Other dogs? 🐕‍🦺 Maybe a past bad experience makes them nervous around other pups.
• Unfamiliar objects? 🎈 A rogue balloon, a flapping flag… weird things can seem scary to our four-legged friends!

Remember Kiki from the video?

She had a tough start and was super sensitive to loud noises.

If you think fear is the issue, focus on making your dog feel safe and secure first.

Think gentle reassurance and maybe avoiding super busy or noisy routes for a while.

Patience is key here! 💖

The Golden Rule: Reward the Walk, NOT the Stop! 🌟

Right, so we’ve ruled out pain and fear…

Now we’re getting to the training part!

And here’s a super important dog training tip to remember: what gets rewarded, gets repeated!

This is dog training 101, folks! 😉

Think about it… if you fuss over your dog every time they stop, even if you’re trying to encourage them, you might accidentally be giving them exactly what they want… attention!

And to a dog, attention from you is like a super tasty treat! 😋

So, mistake number one?

Don’t make a big deal when they stall!

No massive encouragement, no getting frustrated… we want to be cool, calm, and collected. 😎

Lure Them Gently: The Treat Trick! 🪄

Instead of focusing on the stop, we’re going to reward the go!

We’re going to use a technique called “lure training”… think of it like using a yummy treat as a little magnet for your dog’s nose! 👃➡️🍖

Here’s the step-by-step:

• No words, just action! When your dog stops, don’t say anything… Zip it! 🤫
• Become a treat-magnet! Walk to the end of the leash, creating a little space. Then, pop a tasty treat between your fingers, making sure your dog sees it. 👀
• Turn and lure! Turn your back to your dog, and lower the treat to their nose level. Use that treat to gently lure them to walk towards you.
• Reward the motion! As soon as they start moving towards you, even a tiny step, start walking with them, rewarding them as they catch up. This is super important! We want them to connect walking with yummy rewards! 🥳

It might take a few tries, but be patient and consistent…

Your dog will soon start to get the idea…

“Hey, moving = treats! Stopping = …nothing much!”. 😉

Verbal Cue Magic: “Let’s Go!” 🗣️

Once your dog is happily following the treat lure, it’s time to add a verbal cue…

This is where the magic words come in! ✨

• “Let’s go!” is your new best friend. As you turn your back and show the treat, say “Let’s go!” in a happy, encouraging tone.
• Repetition is key! Keep practicing, and your dog will start to associate “Let’s go!” with moving and getting a treat reward.
• Reward in motion, still! Yep, keep rewarding them as they walk with you when they respond to “Let’s go!”. Reinforce that walking = good! 👍

Think of it like teaching any trick… first, you show them what you want with a lure, then you add the word so they understand what you’re asking.

You got this! 💪

Phase Out the Lure: Treat as a Reward, Not a Bribe! 🙅‍♀️🍖

Okay, your dog is a “Let’s go!” superstar… amazing!

But we don’t want to be waving treats forever, right?

The next step is to phase out the treat lure.

We want the treat to be a reward for walking, not a bribe to start walking!

This is a common mistake people make in training, using lures for too long.

• “Let’s go!” – no treat in sight! Now, when your dog stalls, just say “Let’s go!”… but this time, no treat in your hand! 😲
• Wait for the magic! If you’ve practiced steps one and two enough, that verbal cue should be enough to get them moving.
• Reward after they move! Once they start walking with you after hearing “Let’s go!”, then give them the treat reward. 🎉 Now the treat is a true reward for doing what you asked!

It’s like saying to Winston, my black Labrador, “Winston, walkies!” and he knows that means fun times and maybe, just maybe, a tasty snack later!

He’s usually pretty well-behaved, that Winston, most of the time anyway! 😉

Don’t Forget to Reward the Regular Walk! 👏

Find out more: Happy Hounds Dog Training.

OK, we’ve tackled the stalling…

but here’s one last super important tip for walking success…

Reward your dog for simply walking nicely with you! 🤯

Yes, even when they aren’t stalling!

Remember, “what gets rewarded, gets repeated!”

So, let’s make walking nicely a super rewarding experience!

• Treat-shower time! For at least a week, really go to town with the treats on walks. Whenever your dog is walking nicely beside you, reward them! Make it rain kibble! ☔️ (Okay, maybe not rain, but you get the idea! 😉)
• Positive reinforcement power! You’re building a strong positive association with walking nicely. You’re teaching them that staying in motion and being a good walking buddy is the best thing ever! 🥰

And that’s it!

With a little patience, consistency, and lots of yummy rewards, you can turn those walk-stalls into happy strolls! 🚶‍♀️🐕➡️😊

Happy training, and happy walking!

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