Your new puppy is finally home and you are excited to take your puppy everywhere with you, but you realize that your new furry friend is not interested in going for a walk.
Your puppy digs their paws into the ground to refrain from walking, or they may even tug back on their leash to warn you that they are clearly not ready to partake in a walk with you. You start to question is something wrong with my dog? Why doesn’t my puppy want to walk?
To get to the bottom of this, here are five reasons why your puppy may not be interested in going for a walk:
- Adjusting to New Puppy Gear
One thing we want to consider is that you may have not leashed your puppy before, or you are using a new collar or harness. If a puppy or dog has never worn this gear before, they will often freeze.
A good tip to implement is using the new puppy walking gear when your puppy is indoor during feeding or playtime so they get familiar with the collar or harness in an environment that makes them feel safe.
- Getting Used to a New Environment
Stepping out into a new environment can be quite stimulating with new sights, different smells, and interesting sounds, which can be overwhelming for your puppy. It’s important to be patient and using extra verbal praises and treats. The goal is to have your puppy feel safe and associate going on walks can be fun and exciting.
- The Weather Could be Better
Remember that one time you decide to stay inside and be lazy on your couch because it was cold outside? Well, puppies are very similar. When the weather is too chilly or it may be pouring outside, dogs may likely not want to go for a walk. Young puppies can easily be too hot or cold.
If the weather is less than ideal, you should consider rewarding your puppy with extra verbal praises or treats.
- Puppy Gear Needs to be Resized
Did you check to see if the harness is too big or too small? Do you think you tied it differently and something is poking, pinching or rubbing it to make your pup uncomfortable? If your puppy is insistent on not moving their butt right before going on a walk, you may want to look to see if the gear is causing irritation. The most common areas where rubbing can occur: under the arms or around the shoulders.
- Signs of an Illness
Occasionally, illness could be another reason why your puppy may not want to walk. Several infections could cause lethargy, which is why you want to pick up these signs from your puppy.
When puppies don’t feel well, they will not have as much energy. It’s always best to get a clean bill of health from your vet to rule out any health concerns.
In conclusion, when your puppy doesn’t want to walk with you, it might take extra effort and patience before you get to the bottom of it, but eventually, your puppy will start walking with you.