Unwalkable Dog

[dunaldo]

Hi, I have a 3 year old boxer cross, and recently i have had trouble taking her for a walk. After a stay in kennels, which she has been to many times, she returned home but would not go out for a walk. If i take her to the park, she goes in the back of the car no problem. It seems she has a problem getting somewhere, once we get to a park, wood whereever she is ok, but just has trouble walking there. Can anyone help please.

[Herschel]

Does she physically have trouble walking? Sorry, I don't understand.

[dunaldo]

Physically she is fine, Getting her to walk from A to B is the problem. She may walk a little bit, then stop, if i try giving her a little pull, she will sit down, lie down, then if i turn towards home she gets up and walks back home.

[Herschel]

Don't walk back home. That's teaching her that by laying down, you will give in and walk with her.

Speed up your pace, keep walking, and talk to her in a calm manner.

[otch1]

Hi dunaldo... no such thing as an unwalkable dog, unless it's lame. Lol As you stated this is recent behavior, what was she like on leash before her visit to the kennel? No hesitation to take trips with you, no problem at all? If that's really the case, it may just take a little time to build her confidence again, if she had a bad experience. Boxers generally love tug o' war and toys. Take some trips to the park and bring a basket of goodies with you, new toys, rope, balls. Three or four new things and making her excursion a blast, should make a difference. Let her see the toys, load your pockets, get her excited and focused on you as you're exiting the car and heading to your destination. She does not get the toys until you're there. Play hard, lots of treats and a lot of praise, while you're there. When it's time to go collect you toys and do a formal heel to car. If you're in your neighborhood, this game works the same way. Load your pockets with the new toys and goodies, get her excited and focused on you, then head out the door. Take her down the walk way by tossing a toy ahead of her and sending her after it. Food reward when she gets it. Keep playing this game down the block and before she knows it, she's away from home and having fun. Good luck.

[dunaldo]

Thanks for your advice, i will give it a go.