New Puppy Doesn't Like Going for Walks

[Iveta]

My sister has a new 10 week old male Boerboel puppy, and has a few quirks to work out.

This little guy is really wonderful and quite mellow. He doesn't seem excited about much, really! He does not like going out for walks. In fact, we can't get him to go beyond the front of my house. I'm sure I'm looking like a complete idiot to all my neighbours...squeaking toys, getting down close to the ground and making all kinds of excitable noises, luring with treats. When I do crouch down, he comes over, and I give him the treat. But he doesn't seem to want to do anything else. I tried pulling on the leash gently, but he just digs in and sits down. So, I don't pull if he doesn't want to go and after a few more tries with squeaking toys and trying to encourage him with praise...we end up going back to the house. Is this just a phase? What else can I do to make him excited to go for walks?

Thanks!

[Buddy'sParents]

Well, he's 10 weeks.. has he been introduced to the leash before trying to go on walks? Does he even have all of his shots so that it is safe enough to take him on walks out in public?

[Taylor&Me]

My puppy used to do that when he was just about your puppy's age. I found that it's because he's unfamiliar with the area. You're nice that you use toys to lure him... I just gently pulled him all the way through a short walk. After few days of pulling and getting him familiar with the area, he got the hang of it. When I tried to take another route, he would refuse again. Another week of pulling.... Now, he'll go anywhere (except down the stairs), and he is 3 months old.

[squirtsmom]

Probably just scared. Just takes time.

[Iveta]

Yeah, but usually it gets to know the area during several days... the same thing was when he was afraid to go to another room.. but during couple of days it was sorted out and he was no more afraid to explore the whole house!

[StunnedMonkey]

Mine did that as well. She may have been 12 or 13 weeks before she'd leave the yard on her own power. Even today she'll not budge if we're in an unfamiliar area or something doesn't look right to her. She actually still won't go out the back door on her own for some reason, though she'll bolt out the front in a flash. Dumb dog.

So I don't think it's unusual at all. Keep trying, but don't force it. Is there a particular treat he's fond of? And going to a puppy class in a few weeks would help quite a bit also.

[Iveta]

Yes, we're planning to go to the puppy classes .. just need to make sure puppy is acting normally outside the house :)