Is your puppy or dog stopping on walks? You're not alone! I’m sharing how to keep them moving with confidence and how to turn those hesitant moments into fun, forward motion. I’ve got practical solutions that will help you understand why your puppy or dog refuses to move on walks and what to do next. With easy-to-follow games and tips, you’ll not only keep your pup happily walking but also strengthen your relationship along the way!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- My top tips for keeping your puppy moving confidently during walks.
- How to overcome puppy plunking during walks.
- Common reasons why dogs hesitate and stop on walks.
- Tips for building value by your side.
- Games to encourage your dog to move with you.
- Strategies for approaching triggers that cause plunking.
- How to gradually increase walk lengths after playing interactive games at home.
- How to use positive reinforcement to encourage forward motion.
- Strategies for building value for walking in a way that your puppy loves!
- How Tater-Salad used to plunk himself down and refuse to move when he first came to live with us.
Resources:
- YouTube Playlist: Loose Leash Walking with Susan Garrett
- YouTube Playlist: Fearful Dogs Help with Susan Garrett
- YouTube Playlist: Target Training for Dogs with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing
- Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together
- YouTube Video: Understanding Your Dog's Reinforcement Zone (RZ) with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 76: Leash Walking: Distracted, or Reactive Dog? These Games Will Help!
- YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 218: Puppy Development Stages And Your Dog’s Behavior
- YouTube Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins)
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
We’ve had several more successes away from home and I am so thrilled. It’s very hard to be exciting on a walk when your dog isn’t walking (thus the need to make yourself more exciting, I know). But… I have also noticed that the excitement I share with him when he does walk when we go to a park, etc. is now transferring to our home environment. Not for long distances yet, but just to see him prancing when we walk onto our road rather than stopping or staring or just trudging. So exciting! Honestly, I had given up on having a dog that would go on walks at all. Now I have a dog who will walk if we go somewhere else AND now that I understand the transfer of fun and excitement, I think, hope, pray, I may have a dog who will actually walk in my beautiful country neighborhood. I really needed this podcast. The timing was perfect as was the message.
O.M.G. This is my dog. When he was a puppy he would walk but as he got older, he just wouldn’t do it. I tried everything – treats, toys, putting down treats all over the road so he would find them on a walk, you name it, I tried it. And none of it would work. He would just sit down, look around, and refuse to move. I would often carry him home. Walks that should take 15 minutes usually took 30-45 or more. He did this everywhere – at home or when we took him somewhere else (unless there were lots of people or other dogs).
Now, at 2 years old, he has just started going on walks with us for 30 minutes or so, but never at home. Only if we are in a new or different place. But it is improvement.
As I listened to your video, I realized that I have been doing exactly what you said – basically rewarding him for not moving. AND I have not created enough value in myself and the fun we can have together. My head is just spinning right now. Going on walks in other places is fun and exciting but not so much at home. I have to make it fun and exciting. My work is cut out for me. Thank you for this great episode! This issue has been the single most frustrating part of my relationship with my dog and I am hopeful we can start down a better path now (walking pun intended). What a dream it would be to have a dog who could actually go on walks with me!
Hi Heather, we can’t wait to hear back from you and your dog once you’ve applied the training! You got this! 💕