Refuses to go for a walk!

[bergan'smom]

My 2.5 year old dachsie named Bergan has gotten sooo stubborn over the last month. She will refuse to go walking. She digs her heels in and won't budge. I know it's not her paws or the pavement that's bothering her, because she'll walk where she wants to walk...to chase a cat, dog, whatever. It's when I try to go on a usual round the neighborhood walk, she absolutely refuses. I've tried being assertive and giving her a jerk on the leash. It doesn't help. She absolutely will not go in the direction I want her to. I know she needs daily walking for exercise and she used to love going around the block....please help!!!! Anyone have a similiar experience or any suggestions! Thanks. Bergan'smom


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[LisaH]

I've had similar experience, but very few suggestions! Annie is never really happy to go for a walk, although she's happier if both my husband and I go. She's very timid, and every dog barks at her when she passes by, so she gets nervous. She went through a phase a year or so ago when we had to almost drag her every step of the way. Seems to be yet another variety of dachshund weirdness.

LisaH and Annie

[dutchman]

One of the dachshunds our family had when I was growing up got so she didn't want to go past the end of the drive when we went out for a walk. If we would carry her one to two blocks away from home we could then get ther to walk three to four miles. It worked best if both my dad and I went out with her.

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[bergan'smom]

Thank you two for responding. It's really hard to figure out. Bergan is an only child and I live by myself, so when we walk it's just the two of us. It doesn't matter if I try to go for a walk on pavement or on grass. She simply refuses. She looks up at me like she thinks I'm crazy.
Anyone else with suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Bergan's mom

[Carol A. Smith]

If this is new behavior, that is, she used to go walking readily, I'd be looking at what's wrong with her.. ouchy back, maybe. Does she have subluxed patellas in the rear? They can be painful. Does she have any other soreness or pain? Walking strange, stiff, etc? I'd have her checked out to see what is wrong. Its not like a dog to stop wanting to go for walks all of the sudden.

Carol

[Mom of Freddie and FG]

That is strange! The only things I can think of are (a)it's painful for her or (b)emotional trauma, being scared.

Are there any dogs that she's afraid of, or had a negetive encounter with?
I would have the Vet check her out if this continues. Please let us know what you find out, ok?

Susan

[mardoniche]

hi, it does seem strange that she has stopped wanting to go for walks, I have not come across this myself, but having run a rescue centre have had dogs too insecure, who were too scared to go for a walk. We used to try and find a dog that they bonded with, then we used to walk them together, always taking it slowly and just letting the reluctant dog follow in their own time. Sometimes this process is painstakingly slow, but worth it in the end. I know she is an only child but is there a friendly dog near you that she would walk with? If not and it is that she has had a fright try putting her in the car and driving her to the beach, forest or park, as long as it is somewhere new and a nice place for a doggie walk. If she is happy to walk in the new situation I would then think that problem could be the area, she is associating with something unplesant. You may never find out what but at least you would still be able to enjoy your walks together, just a different location, sorry I cant be of any more help, Dawn.

[bergan'smom]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will keep you posted on Miss Bergan. She is completely spoiled and has not experienced anything traumatic in and around our neighborhood. In fact, when she sees another animal, that is probably the only time she will want to walk! She wants to "get at 'em". Will let you know.
Bergan's Mommy

[pluto'slanie]

My younger dachsie, 9 year old Shana, recently started the same behavior. Nothing seems to hurt her because when I bring her back into my building she races down the hall to my apartment because she knows she's getting a cookie. It's hard to believe that a little dog can dig in her paws and stop dead in her tracks. <img border="0" alt="[Lol]" title="" src="graemlins/lol.gif" />

Shana's behavior seems to have started after I left her and her 13 year old brother, Pluto, for a few days when I went away. They were with a very loving caring family, but my thought was maybe she thought I was taking her someplace and was going to leave her there. Shana is a rescue and has been with me a little more than a year.

Have you left your little one recently?

[bergan'smom]

Lanie,
Sorry to hear your little one is doing the same thing. I've never left her with anyone, except my parents...aka her human grandparents. She loves to go with them and they spoil her to death. But now that you mention it...the "timing" of her behavior may be related to something. I work in education and had 2+ weeks off during Christmas break. (halleluiah) Of course, I was with my Bergan every day, 24/7. Then the first day I went back to work, her human grandparents came over my house to keep her company. That was the day her refusal to walk started! Are doggies that smart?
Bergan's mommy