Things to Know
- There are a variety of reasons that dogs stop walking and won’t move. Addressing the underlying cause of the behaviour usually corrects the problem.
- The most common reasons dogs refuse to walk include pain, fatigue, or a lack of training on the leash. Some dogs also do it on the way home because they don’t want their walk to end.
- Patience is the key to fixing the behaviour. Yelling, dragging your dog, or getting otherwise frustrated with their stubborn refusal to move can exacerbate the problem by making your dog shut down completely.
Why Dogs Stop Walking and What to Do About It
Here is a comprehensive list of the reasons dogs refuse to walk.
Pain
Dogs who find walking painful will often refuse to move. Chronic conditions like arthritis or hip dysplasia often make it painful to move.
Knowing the signs that your dog is in pain is important in order to recognize it. If you notice your dog putting less weight on one limb, it’s likely the leg, paw, or hip is sore. Some dogs may yelp or whine, then firmly refuse to go further.
If your dog is refusing to walk due to pain, it’s time for a vet visit. The solution depends on the problem and whether your dog has an acute or chronic issue. Pain relief may include physical therapy, medication, or rest.
Fear
Many dogs, especially when they are young, refuse to walk out of fear. It’s especially common behaviour during puppy fear periods or in dogs who are insecure in the outside environment.
If your dog refuses to walk on a new route or a new neighbourhood, uncertainty and fear may be why. To fix the issue, you’ll need to identify what is causing your dog to be scared. It can be relatively minor, like getting used to more traffic or a strange smell you’ve never noticed.
Once you figure out what’s scaring your dog, it’s time to desensitize the trigger to make your dog more confident. Take things slowly, and don’t force anything. It can be as simple as walking towards the object of fear, then retreating before your dog shuts down. Next time you get a few inches closer, and so on each time. If your dog is so fearful that you can barely leave the house, you may have to start with a few steps out the front door. But know that with positive reinforcement, time, and patience, it can get better.
If your dog has another doggie friend that they trust, it can be helpful to recruit help from another confident dog. The confident dog sets an example for your fearful dog to follow.
Lack of Training on a Leash
If your dog isn’t used to walking on a leash, it could be they don’t know how. If you have a puppy or have recently adopted a rescue dog, you may have to leash-train them. Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk on a leash – it’s unnatural behaviour for them. So it’s our job to teach them.
It can help to practice leash walking in your house before venturing outside. Even allowing your dog to drag the leash around helps get them used to it in a comfortable space. Build up to your backyard and take things slowly.
Fatigue
Not all dogs are capable of walking for miles. Some can only handle a quick trip around the block. It’s possible that you are walking too far or too often for your dog to keep up, and they are simply refusing to go any further.
Excessive panting, a slow pace, and an unenthusiastic attitude about going for a walk are all signs your dog is tired. This is very common in hot weather, and it’s important to take care that you don’t overexercise your dog in the heat.
If your dog is fatigued but needs more exercise, it’s helpful to start with frequent small walks rather than long, strenuous ones. You can gradually increase the distance as your dog gets in better shape.
It’s raining/snowing/too cold/too hot/too windy
Everyone has weather that they just don’t enjoy being outdoors, and dogs are no different. Some dogs are happy to walk in the rain or snow, while others don’t even like getting their paws wet. Other times it’s just too hot or too cold to continue on.
Keep the weather in mind when walking your dog. Over time you’ll learn when it’s just not worth it, and you need to come up with some indoor exercise ideas.
Your Dog Doesn’t Want to Go Home
Some dogs sit down and refuse to walk when you’re on the way home. In this type of scenario, it’s usually that your dog doesn’t want to go inside. They may want to walk for longer or play in the backyard, but they are just not ready for the fun to end.
If time allows, try playing a little longer and praising your dog for continuing to walk. If you have to get home, encourage your dog by using a high-pitched voice that makes it more exciting.
What Not to Do When Your Dog Stops Walking
While it can be incredibly frustrating for your dog to sit down in the middle of a walk, there are some things that we humans do that actually make the behaviour worse. Here are some behaviours to avoid so you don’t accidentally encourage your dog’s refusal:
- Bribing – You can accidentally teach your dog to expect treats when they sit down on the sidewalk.
- Dragging – Trying to drag your dog forward turns into a tug of war. It can also injure your dog.
- Yelling – Your dog is trying to communicate something to you. While you may not always know what that is, yelling at your dog will cause an emotional shutdown and work against you.
- Know your limits – So this is something to do rather than not do, but make sure you have time to work on the problem when you take your dog out. If your dog has been refusing to walk, don’t take him for a quick lunchtime walk that has to be over in 15 minutes because you’ll get frustrated and won’t have the patience to work with your dog.
- Leave your dog – Don’t drop the leash and walk away from your dog under any circumstances.
- Punish the dog – There are a ton of reasons your dog could be stopping in the middle of your walk. Punishing the behaviour doesn’t solve the problem; it only teaches your dog that they are in trouble for trying to communicate. It means they’ll lose trust in you, and that’s never positive.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing more frustrating than a dog that plants itself firmly in the middle of a walk and refuses to move. However, it’s a form of communication that something’s up. Determining the root cause of the problem will help you find a solution so your dog walks can become more enjoyable.
