Doesnt like walks

When we had our staff he went out for walks twice a day with no problems (he was 18 months when we had him - now 4). He began to get scared of the bin men and would pull for home if he heard glass bottles clashing in the distance. He then got increasingly scared (persumably - or lazy) and wouldnt go out any mornings.

Evenings were fine but now these are getting worse now too. First he wouldnt go if it was just me so we thought he wanted to keep us all together and would happily go with me and hubby or my daughter - but know it is quite often - we keep making excuses - its cold/ dark/ wet etc but its getting worrying now.

However sometimes he goes no problem - loves going, sniffing around, tail happy etc. I have tried everything when we go to go out and he refuses - dragging, treats etc. i refuse to turn round because he wants to and will drag / coax him a few houses until i say to go back.

He always runs to the door when i get his lead - it is when we get to the end of the drive that the problems start.

Any ideas?

has he got a favourite toy maybe one that squeeks that you can distract him with?

Thank you for your reply - i will give it a try.
I havent tried it before as he seems uninterested in treats (even when he is happily walking) when we are out, but maybe a toy will be more successful.

He destroys every toy apart from his gonut so squeeky toys dont get a chance - i could try one just for walks if the gonut doesnt work.
Fingers crossed!

Try walking him on lead so far then going back indoors, gradually increasing the distance. This way it will build up his confidence I would say something has spooked him but back to basics and patience with him.

hi - just been through this with George
had him at 8 months and he was fine for the first few weeks then suddenly decided that walkies without me were a big no no - my son tried everything and was starting to worry that people would think he was abusing George dragging him down the street
the key to success is persistence and a pocket full of treats to reward him when hes walking tidy
its a big mistake to give in to him and return home - just makes it worse
start by taking him just a short distance then build it up
Dean still has problems putting his harness on as George runs and hides under the table but once its on and the door is open he goes tidy
its taken 2 months but hes come on leaps and bounds
one thing though George is still nervous about going on a new route so maybe stick to familiar routes for now
is your dog better with your partner - George is fine with me taking him...maybe he felt more secure with me around?...see who he walks best for then take it from there
good luck and keep us posted
xkath

Does he have fun once he gets to the park ?

My Flo will refuse to go quiet regularly and its a battle of wills. I have on occasion actually picked her up and carried her half way to the park by which time she knows we are going weather she likes it or not.

We made excuses just like you have but in the end it is just stubbornness. You need to make it clear that if you set out for a walk, a walk is exactly what is going to happen. If you relent he will know he can get away with it.

Eventually it will get better, it has for us (OH & me) but not my youngest sons, she simply will not walk with him now because he gives up too easily.

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Thank you for your replies.
The wierd thing is that sometimes he goes with no problem, so do you think i should still build it up and not go far if it is a day when he would go (if that makes sense).
I have felt like picking him up but he is way too heavy for me - i cant even drag him properly if he refuses, which as you say does mean that i end up giving in. I do try and drag a little further in my direction before we turn back to try and make a point!

Dragging doesn't work, I know this from experience plus it could do some damage. Have you tried walking in a different direction to the way you normally go and then crossing the road to return etc. that worked sometimes with my Flo.

If he willingly goes for a walk then I would take him but if he refuses then return home and try again and see if you get a little further after a half hour break perhaps.

what treats are you using,try a couple of tiny pieces of cheese

Hadnt thought of trying again after a while- will try that next time.

If i turn round and go home when he refuses though, wont he think he has won? I need to build up some muscles so i can pick him up

Will try cheese too - normally its choccie buttons (dog ones) but he just drops them on the floor when we are out (loves them in the house!)

High value treats like cheese or frankfurter pieces are great favourites for motivating and well worth a try.

If you do return home he will see it as getting his own way but by taking him out a short while later will send the message that you aren't going to give in.

Alfie is exactly the same.

I got him as a 2 year old and he HATED walks. Would run away, hide and shake whenever he saw his lead.
To cut a VERY long story short, he is slightly better 4 years on after lots and lots and lots of hard work ( which at some points seemed fruitless).
Consistency, consistency, consistency. Same place, same time, same play. If he put the brakes on I would move myself next to his shoulder lift his lead up (not drag forward) and say 'lets go'. Sometimes only getting a couple of steps a time. Slowly slowly we got progress.
He still shakes like a lunatic at walk times but will actually come to the front door and wants to go. However, we have to go at exactly the same times of day and to the same places. We have 3 or 4 walks that he's happy with. If we don't turn left out of the drive or get into the car. it's brakes on.
With Alfie treats or toys don't work, he's too far gone to care. I could tie a roast chicken round my neck and it still wouldn't tempt him! We still haven't mastered walking on a pavement near a road, but it's work in progress.
It has took years of work and patience to get him this far and I often wonder what happened to the poor little lad to get him like this, but I still wouldn't swap him for the world!!

Thanks lisa - i can just picture walking down the street with a chicken tied to me, lol!
It really does make you wonder what happened to them before - he has lots of strange ways, but still gorgeous at least they are safe and happy now.