Walking A Pup
HELP......Munchkin (4 mo/female) is a great puppy. That said, I am in need of some serious help. munchkin has been with us since 2/4. I started walking her about 2 weeks ago, things were going great until yesterday. 1st thing in the AM, I get dressed (she's in the kitchen) by the time I get there I am completely dressed (coat, bags, leash etc) to go out. We get in our harness and out the door. She starts out fine: walking nicely, sniffing, playing and just an enjoyable pup, she does her business and then she turns into the most stubborn puppy on the planet. If we are anywhere but on the corner of our block, she ABSOLUTELY REFUSES to walk. She will lay down, sit or just stand still and not move. Thank God for the harness (use it 'cause I am afraid she will slip her collar), it enables me to get her moving for a little while and then she stops again. At 1st I thought it might be she was hungry, but back at home she didn't finish her breakfast. Used to walk her after breakfast but she couldn't hold it, so we started going out first.
It can take a long time to get back home because I absolutely refuse to pick her up, that is a bad habit that I am not willing to start. It's bad enough I have to carry her up/down the stairs ( their a little steep for her right now). I am afraid to take her out of the neighborhood (park is a few blocks away) because I don't want to have to carry her back home should she decide to walk. I don't know what to do.
Any help, tricks, tips.... you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
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Hi G, Cierra & Munchkin,
Remove your collar and check Munchkin's armpit, use your fingers to feel for bumps, if you detected any raised surface or crusty scap, that means the harness is not fitted properly.
I understand your concern of using a collar, general rule is 2 fingers gap, re-adjust and check once a week.
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Permalink Reply by G, Cierra & Munchkin on
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Thanks Sam, checked collar it has a 2 finger gap, and I can't pull it over her head. Munch wears a soft fabric harness and there is nothing under her armpits. When we are in the house, the harness is not on, just the collar she came in(from breeder w/tags). She can't be tired we aren't out that long-just about 30-45 minutes. It hasn't been really cold, hovering around 30 degrees. So I am perplexed as to what her issue is.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer evans on
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stangely enough my lab would do this all the time. When he was a puppy it was easier to make him move ( i would pick him up, put him a couple feet away and he would walk) when he got older and alot heavier ( ~ 85 lbs) i couldnt do much but carry treats with me and kind of bribe him. he eventually grew out of it. it lasted from when he was a puppy to about 3. I know it stinks because its so cold out and there is nothing worse than standing in the cold:(
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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I'd try using a collar instead of a harness, a harness can give the dog more control of where they want to go IMO. I use martingales because the dog can't back out of them. You could also bring along a small bag of treats to encourage her along until she gets the hang of things. Is she enrolled in a puppy class? I think that would help too.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa && Yoshi on
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We had the exact same problem with Yoshi. First, I wanna say how cute he looked when he would just lay on his belly with that determined look and just REFUSE to move. haha.
So I was getting really frustrated with him not moving. I figured it was part stubburness and partly that he was afraid of the things around him. I guess walking around with cars zooming by and people walking by and big scary buildings was just too much for him. So I started out with lightly jogging next to him. It kind of got him hyped up to run along with me. It worked to keep him walking with me for a little longer and then he'd stop. I would also lure him with treats. I'll tell him "come on, Yoshi, walk!" and once he'd start walking, once he walked all the way to me I walk backwards a little just to keep him walking further and give him the treat. It's kind of tiring having to bend oer to many times to lure him and give him the treat. But you gotta do what you gotta do. haha. And then I got one of those leashes on a string that come out longer when you press the button. If he stopped, I would try the first two, if it didn't work, i'd let the leash go and keep jogging further away. I guess he figured walking by the buildings and cars weren't as scary as being left alone with them, so he'd start to follow. Sometimes, I'd have to just tug on the leash to give him some more motivation. It was a LOTTTTTT of work. But now Yoshi LOVES walks. I don't know if this is the most professional way to do it. But it's how I got it done. I hope this helps. Good luck!! =)
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Thanks EVERYONE....never thought of the houses, cars as big scary things-even though it is rather quiet at 5:30AM!! But you might have a point. Munch is my first "small" dog, had a boxer yrs back who would walk to the other side of the earth if I let him!!! Looks like I am going to have to buy a lot of treats. LOL.
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Oh! And I forgot to add that when she does walk with you, keep telling her she's a good girl and give her treats every now and then to let her know she's doing a good job. And just keep talking to her to make her feel more comfortable.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah C. on
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Try picking jogging when he looks like he's getting ready to shut down? Sometimes they can't resist a little run.
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Permalink Reply by Ashley R on
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I too have my first corgi (same age as yours) and have experienced the same thing. I'm used to dogs who absolutely LOVE going out for walks/runs and found this annoying. My take on it is that these dogs are more stubborn than I'd ever imagined (funny, I don't remember reading about this in all the breed info). Currently, we are making progress by putting his leash on calmly as he is eating and then letting him run around with it in the house and outside a bit. Also, I'm giving treats if he follows me along as I hold the leash. He is absolutely not ready to go out on "walks" at this stage. It would only be a nightmare and take forever. But, I am seeing progress and feel that one day, he'll figure out it is fun and enjoy it (hopefully).
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I guess I am a bit of a meany but after getting advice from a dog trainer when Sparty was 6 months that indicated that he was training ME very well,I learned to just walk. If the pup doesn't want to move then they get dragged. It doesn't last for long and you begin the important step of being in charge. I do not know if I would call corgis stubborn as much as opinionated. It is important at an early age to convince them that you are the leader. They are smart enough to get you to do things their way. Just make sure the collar fits right and reward any movement in the direction you want with either fun behavior (yippee and clapping your hands) or an occasional treat. Just don't be boring or cave in. 4 months is plenty old enough for a short walk. Good luck!
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Thanks.....I had heard this before from the vet and a trainer. I did this yrs back with my 1st dog (sam-boxer) and it worked. So I tried it and it works!!!! A little tug and a whole lot of praise and we were on our way. I guess I'm a bit of a meany too. Next thing I'm going to try is to walk her in a new direction--instead of around the same area. I am getting tired of seeing the same 3-4 blocks. Gonna back a bag--just in case. LOL
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