11 wk old is difficult to walk

[domonas]

My 11 week old Apollo is a wonderful addition to my life! I love him dearly, but he's such a chore to get walking. He's generally pretty shy and aloof to begin with, but even getting him outside of the house can be difficult. Sometimes I have to carry him to the elevator to take him outside. Once outside, sometimes he'll walk, but for short distances. He'll then stop, sit, look around, and takes forever to get walking again. He might be just scared of his new surroundings (I've had him for only 4 days), but I never knew that dogs DIDN'T like to go for walks. When he stops, I try calling his name, a light tug on the leash, stern voice to come. Usually nothing works unless HE wants to start walking again. Any advice on what's seemingly a simple thing? Thanks!

[Moe]

I think it is the age. We got our pup at 8 weeks and she wouldn't even walk off the porch. She hated going for walks and would just sit and cry. At around 11-12 weeks I used to drive to the end of our block with her and let her walk home. She was fine on the way home but very reluctant to leave the property on the way out.

She is 4.5 months, we walk at least an hour every day at a local state park. In the evening I walk her around the block and she is still hesitant to go off the property.

I think they need to feel comfortable and confident. I'm sure if you are patient and wait til your pup is ready you'll have some lovely walks in the future.

[domonas]

So another thing I noticed is that with the leash, he'll stop frequently. If I take him off the leash and just start walking in the direction I want to go, he'll follow me without hesitation. There are still some areas in the apartment complex he won't go to (elevators), but he's definitely willing TO walk, just not with a leash. Any advice?

[Hays]

domonas, keep working with your pup! It's still very early! Trust me, your pup will get used to it, but you have to keep working with the leash. What kind of leash do you have? We started with a regular collar, and hayley didn't like that very much but she loved and still loves the Harness! Eventually we would like to try the gentle leader on her when she gets older, but for now, the harness works great! And she loves walking on it. Try tempting your pup with treats. When he comes, "say good boy!" and reward him with a treat so he knows that taking a walk is a good thing! Let us know how he makes out!

[daking]

I dont know how to put this correctly but, drag him along... i dont mean tie him to a car and drag, I mean just keep walking, I learned with my guy that giving him a chance to sit when he was young would make him think he was in control of the walk. they will soon figure out you are in control and carry on with you

[domonas]

Originally Posted by Hays

domonas, keep working with your pup! It's still very early! Trust me, your pup will get used to it, but you have to keep working with the leash. What kind of leash do you have? We started with a regular collar, and hayley didn't like that very much but she loved and still loves the Harness! Eventually we would like to try the gentle leader on her when she gets older, but for now, the harness works great! And she loves walking on it. Try tempting your pup with treats. When he comes, "say good boy!" and reward him with a treat so he knows that taking a walk is a good thing! Let us know how he makes out!

We're gonna try out the harness thing. Just ordered one. Tried the treats. Doesn't work at all. Thanks for the tips!

[domonas]

Originally Posted by daking

I dont know how to put this correctly but, drag him along... i dont mean tie him to a car and drag, I mean just keep walking, I learned with my guy that giving him a chance to sit when he was young would make him think he was in control of the walk. they will soon figure out you are in control and carry on with you

I do try and control the walk. I would feel bad dragging him with a collar. I'm afraid it might hurt his throat. I am getting a harness, so if that doesn't help, giving him a little stronger tug might not be a bad idea.

[Moe]

I had a harness with the leash clasp on the dog's back. She pulled all the time. I just got one that has the clasp in the front, it made a huge difference.

[GordonDoodle]

It'll get better. 11 weeks is still young, I got Gordon at that age and it took a few weeks for him to become comfortable with the leash. Even then, I was still having to encourage him along to unfamiliar places (vet, stairs). Sometimes a treat in the pocket can help. I also have used the leash in the home, he was comfortable following me around so adding the leash helped him learn what to expect. He still pulls when we go for walks though... sigh.

[PaulyWallyDoodL]

Cali is just past the 9 month mark and is just really getting it with the walking thing now. She was the same way as yours with the sitting and not wanting to move.

Be patient, it'll come!

[Lucy&Lennon]

Patients is the most important thing when I just had one doodle he was reluctant to walk and would sit when his leash went on. We just keep walking and gave a little tug and he would walk with us. At twelve weeks we bought his sister and then he walked fine when we walked them together. Now at close to a year and a half they walk great until we see a squirrel then they try to rip my arms off in an attempt to catch one to snack on. My female, Lucy, has already caught and killed one squirrel and two birds.

[domonas]

Originally Posted by Moe

I had a harness with the leash clasp on the dog's back. She pulled all the time. I just got one that has the clasp in the front, it made a huge difference.

Yup. We got the one with the clasp up front. Apollo doesn't pull that much. I still tend to walk in front of him. But the every once in a while when he pulls, since the clasp is up front, he'll spin around which prevents him from pulling too much.

[domonas]

Originally Posted by GordonDoodle

It'll get better. 11 weeks is still young, I got Gordon at that age and it took a few weeks for him to become comfortable with the leash. Even then, I was still having to encourage him along to unfamiliar places (vet, stairs). Sometimes a treat in the pocket can help. I also have used the leash in the home, he was comfortable following me around so adding the leash helped him learn what to expect. He still pulls when we go for walks though... sigh.

Yeah, we leave the leash on at home. He's learned to carry the leash in his mouth when he walks around the house so he doesn't trip. Kinda cute. Apollo is getting better each week with the walking, although he still sits every once in a while.

[domonas]

Originally Posted by PaulyWallyDoodL

Cali is just past the 9 month mark and is just really getting it with the walking thing now. She was the same way as yours with the sitting and not wanting to move.

Be patient, it'll come!

Thanks! It's tough being patient when it's 15 degrees outside and all you want him to do is walk around and find a place to poop and pee. But it has gotten better and I'm sure with each passing week/month, it'll get even better.

[domonas]

Originally Posted by Lucy&Lennon

Patients is the most important thing when I just had one doodle he was reluctant to walk and would sit when his leash went on. We just keep walking and gave a little tug and he would walk with us. At twelve weeks we bought his sister and then he walked fine when we walked them together. Now at close to a year and a half they walk great until we see a squirrel then they try to rip my arms off in an attempt to catch one to snack on. My female, Lucy, has already caught and killed one squirrel and two birds.

Yeah, my girlfriend brought her little morkie last week and that helped a bunch in terms of willingness to walk. We even unleash them on the top floor of the garage and they like to run around and chase each other. Apartment life can be difficult at times as the morkie is used to being the only dog. I think they're working out dominance issues, but Apollo tends to go into submissive position pretty quickly. No major fights yet, I don't think.