Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gail And Percy on July 17, 2012 at 9:23am

I don't know if this is a stubborn corgi thing. Percy is four and still does this he just collapses onto his side or lies down. If i try to pull him he slips his collar and then a chase ensues. My solution is to take him somewhere where he can get off the lead although even then he sometimes refuses.I always carry a squeaky ball in my pocket to get him going in the right direction again as he follows the squeak. I have come to think he is spooked by a noise but not sure. Hope you have better luck - I know how frustrating it can be.Maybe enlist the labs next door to show him how to walk on lead properly.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on July 17, 2012 at 9:43am

How fun are you being? Use a high pitched, baby talk voice and just start out chances are he will follow. Puppies get bored easily and need things to be fun. Tossing a plastic bottle off the porch is another idea, mine used to love carrying them around while we walked. Keep walks short at this age and as fun as possible.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laura Rochette on July 17, 2012 at 10:08am

Oh does this bring back my memories of last summer when Lucy was that age. The most stubborn puppy around! Going on a walk was like a tug and pull fest--a battle of wills! I started to bring treats and balls to chase and that helped some. Then I signed on for an obedience class and everything changed after that. The only time she does it now is when she is in the shade and I am "asking" her to come out into the sun! (she is SUCH a sun wimp). Last night when I was walking her I was thinking of last summer and her sit-downs in the middle of the road--now she trots quietly beside me occasionally stopping to sniff at something interesting. We actually WALK now! Puppy, like a toddler who says "no" to everything, is testing his independence! It will pass.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Megan Bates on July 17, 2012 at 3:57pm

My puppy does the same thing, he loves to plop down in the first shady spot he can find and coaxing him back into the sun is near impossible. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Marcie on July 17, 2012 at 10:30am

Becca did this when I first got her at 8 months old. I finally figured out she did it when she was overwhelmed, she would lay on her back all feet in the air.. She wasn't tired, it was just too much for her to process. I slowed things down, introducing her to smaller segments of the neighborhood. Now just 4 months later she takes everything in stride. She still does her dead dog impression on hot days, or sometimes just because she thinks it is fun.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Appa and Iroh on July 17, 2012 at 10:45am

I'm having this problem too. Started taking treats out on walks again and trying short back and forth walks past the house unless I'm taking her up the street to the neighborhood park. The treats seem to be helping--she's paying more attention to me than everything else around her, it seems. And things go better when I take her to the park and just let her run around. She has to be on a leash so I just let her drag it around or bundle it up on her harness. Once she's had enough sniffing and exploring she walks back home pretty nicely. 
Good luck! I think it'll get better with time, just keep trying! 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ludi on July 17, 2012 at 11:36am

Ace did this even at the 16 week mark. Sometimes we didn't even get past a couple of steps from our apartment's front door. It's amazing how such a shrimpy little dog could summon the power of a thousand bulls to weigh him down. I definitely got frustrated with him... a LOT. But it does pass, eventually. Happy voice, excitement, food, favourite toy, skipping around (this will get you some looks), and pretending like you're living in Disney Land when on walks is what got me through the tougher stages.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth and Indy on July 17, 2012 at 1:22pm

Thank you all for sharing!  I'm glad to hear that he will learn eventually.

The only concern I have with using treats and toys, is that it's not just to go on a walk, it is for him to potty. I feel like he needs to learn how to go out there and do his business first thing. When he does go first thing, I act like I just won the lottery. I get very excited and pet him and say ''Good boy!'' in a very excited, high pitched voice. This seems to please him. Maybe he just needs more time. :) 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on July 17, 2012 at 2:28pm

The second he squats to eliminate say "go potty" (or something similar) every time and he will eventually figure out that the command means to potty. This is a great skill to teach for later in life when it is cold or rainy or you are in a hurry. At his tender age you really have to let him lead around or very gently get him to come with you in order for him to learn to enjoy the leash. Walking around is a great way to get a puppy to go potty.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mosesbotbol on July 17, 2012 at 1:25pm

Beyond the good advice already given...  Start dragging Indy on the leash and he'll figure it out it's not up to him to decide whether you are going for walk.  Reward him when he complies.  10 weeks is quite young though.  He'll come around.

• ▶ Reply