Hi everyone,

My 6 months old puppy refuses to go for a walk. It has been going on for over 6 weeks now and so the only way to excise him is to play with him inside. I can’t take him to a park because I don’t’ trust him around other dogs (he plays very rough as he is a staffy). My husband takes the dog with him to football training every week so he can run around and we take him to a friend’s house every week too (where he can exercise because they have a massive backyard). But I want to be able to walk him.

When we first got him (and after he had his injections) I walked him everyday and he loved it. But recently he just doesn’t want to go for a walk. He gets excited when I put the lead on him but when we get about 300-500 meters from the house he just stops. I have tried to use treats but it doesn’t work. To my knowledge nothing has happened on our walks that could have scared him. He will walk with my husband even though he never used to walk him before.

I think my dog sees my husband as the alpha male in our household and so maybe he doesn’t want to go out without “the leader”. I am trying really hard to be the second in charge and I hope the dog knows his place. How can I be sure that he does?

Does any one have any suggestion about why this could be happening and what I can do to change the situation?

Thank you for your help.

The only advice that I can come up with would be to put the leash on and then get him all riled up while playing. When he is very excited grab the leash and walk out the door. Try not to think about him stopping because he might sense it and stop. Just try to stay determined and keep moving forward.

He begins to feel male at six months. You need to take him through an obedience course then work with him and your husband at home. He will work better for Daddy right now, which is why you need to be the primary trainer.

Catsmine is correct. He needs some obedience classes. You and your husband should attend since you both will be walking him. Once you start be consistent. One day of letting him get away with something will ruin all the traing you have done.