New puppy hates going for walks

[The Wards]

Yes ours was the same though he happily played in the back garden no problem. As soon as we got round the front of the house he just sat down and refused to move. If I tugged him gently he would turn round and face the house. It did take us quite a long time for him to get over it, but he did. You have to be patient though. We did lots of different things and eventually it clicked though he still has those moments of sitting down and refusing to move, he's very determined. This is what we tried
1. treats in pockets and rewarding him when he starts walking nicely
2. when he turns and faces away, standing still facing away from him towards the way you want to walk. For us that was away from the house or car. Keeping lead quite tense but not tugging just wait until he decides to give in. You think he never will but he does and you'll get a few more steps.
3. Get a dog walker. We got a patient lovely girl to start taking him out too. She also started taking him with another puppy/her dog which was ok walking and he tended to do the same. Should say that he's also nervous with other dogs so this helped with that too.
4. Taking him somewhere in car where he wasn't actually walking away from the house. He did just swap car for house and just wanted to get back in though but think it did get him used to different places to walk
5. Using a dog run with him off the lead and taking his ball. So he had playtime rather than just walking. Then for a few mins at the end put the lead back on and walked him round the run.
6. Once he started walking better he would pull to get home quickly. We would vary his route and make sure getting home was more of a shock to him rather than the same path each day.
Good luck - hope some of this helps/works. Anything else just ask. Ours is 15 months now and a joy to take out

[Gingerlife]

We've got X2 15 week old Dachshunds and are having the same issue with 1 of them. Walter will go out without any issues however Peggy point blank refuses to walk any further than the garden gate.
I have tried taking treats with us but she won't be bribed.
We took them to a large, open green area near us over the weekend and she was fine there so I think it's the noise from traffic and walking on concrete she doesn't like as she loved the long grass.
I shall be following along for some suggestions.

[Labboy]

Try the Nice game, as others have said it is a bit daunting for them with all the new sounds and smells. The Nice game is used if they get startled or are unsure, just keep saying Nice in a good tone and they will soon learn it is ok. Also totally agree about lengths of walks, their plates haven’t fully formed yet so short and sweet. Also to keep them focussed on you the 1 2 3 game and what’s this are very effective. Also look at Nina Bondarenko on youtube, also puppy classes are an excellent idea where they get socialised with other fur babies and humans. Good puppy classes are well worth it because you will learn too. Oh and can I also suggest a lead but not an extendable one.

[cmpjdp]

Thank you all so much for the replies. He starts puppy classes on Wednesday. Think I have been walking him for too long so will cut the time down. We did take him in the car to a different location where there was lots of people on he loved that.
We live by the sea so will try the beach at the weekend.
Just just need to sort out the crying at night and we will be set 😂 forgot how much hard work they are.

[cmpjdp]

This is George

[Floridatilly]

Originally Posted by cmpjdp

This is George

See more...

Oh my gosh he is gorgeous 💕

[rebeccarobbins]

Hi,

Our GSD (now almost 4) was just the same. She did slowly gain confidence and was fine. I guess you just need to remember it’s a big scary world out there for them. As others have said I would take some high value treats with you.

We now have another problem with ours in that if just one person walks her and others are at home she will only go a short way and then point blank refuse to go any further but pull like a train to get home. If two people go then she is fine!

Good luck with the training - enjoy the puppy stage (although it’s hard work isn’t it!)

[mitch84]

Originally Posted by cmpjdp

This is George

See more...

He is an absolute stunner.

As he’s going to be a whopper, please be so strict with his walk times.
It’s 5 mins, per month of age, twice a day my vet said.
So when mine was 12 weeks and just had his jabs, it was no more than 15 minutes, and not marching, more sniffing etc.
They get tired so easily too

[cmpjdp]

Originally Posted by Floridatilly

Oh my gosh he is gorgeous 💕

See more...

Don’t be fooled by the cute face... he’s a devil 😂😂

[Eeyore rocks]

Originally Posted by cmpjdp

This is George

See more...

I’m in love...😍 George is gorgeous.