[annrice]

We would run all the time, ever since he was old enough to run around the block. Once summer came and it was really hot, he would barely go around the smaller part of our neighborhood. Now the weather is cooler and he still won't go around the larger block and or sometimes just out of the driveway. He has been to the vet and is healthy. I have done what the vet suggested as well. I drove to a different part of the neighborhood with him, away from the house but on our usual path. When we got out of the car I tried to get him to go the opposite way around the block to make the walk longer. He walked a little way and then stopped. We turned and walked back towards our house. He did not see the car and so at least the walk was longer. I later ran around the block myself (for exercise) and go the car.

[Cat1864]

Did the hot road/sidewalk hurt his paws and now he is afraid to trust the surface he is walking on?

You might try looking into boots that would insulate his paws from the road.

[Just_Another_Lemming]

What breed of dog do you have? How old was your dog when he began to refuse to walk/run due to the heat? How much regular leash training -- structured heeling & walking -- on the leash have you done with him? Is it at all possible that he is simply fighting you about being led around on a leash and you need to retrain him to walk/heel?

[annrice]

He is from the local shelter so our guess is part boxer, lab?? We really don't know. He is 1 yr. 2 months. Old, weighs 64 lbs. pretty good size dog. He turned 1 in August(estimate) and that's when he didn't want to run anymore or even walk out of the neighborhood to go farther like we use to. Also getting 100 degrees here in the south. We got him from the shelter when he was about 5 1/2 weeks old. He grew fast and I think he started running w/ us at 6 months or 8 months. He's never have a problem on a leash however for the past few months he makes us chase him to get the leash and collar on. I mean it takes 2 of us to corner him. It's like a game to him. Once the collar in on he prances out the door w/ my husband or myself. My husband just left w/ him to run, we'll see how long they're gone.

Also, never took him out when pavement hot, always early in the am.

[Aurora_Bell]

So what is he like when you are walking? Does he constantly pull? What type of collar are you using?

One thing you could try is put a handful of his kibble in your pockets, and when he starts to resist, in a cheery happy voice say things like "come on Boy, let's move, come on, lets go" and when he responds with a wagging tail or moves a few feet, treat with a piece of kibble. Continue to do this for as long as he will go. Don't rush it, and don't push him too far. Just a few feet more than what he would normally walk is an improvement.

[Just_Another_Lemming]

I don't have a lot of time today but this really does sound like the boy needs some retraining. Please try Aurora's suggestion and see if that will work for you.

Larger breed dogs take more time to mature than smaller breeds. It sounds like he has hit the "terrible teens". Usually it starts a little earlier than one year. Young dogs will suddenly become willful, refuse to respond to direction, and test the boundaries/training given to them. It looks like they are purposefully playing games with you and testing your patience. LOL! You need to just reinforce his training. I have one large breed (rescue) that is over 8 years old and we still go through daily positive reinforcement training exercises. By giving up on him as you are now doing, you are allowing him to control your walks/run. Please go back to your basic training exercises when walking him. When he realizes he isn't going to get his way, you will find that he will fall back into his old "follow the leader" (you) mode.

BTW, when it is very hot out, you are right not to force him to run with you but do take him on a short walk to make sure he stays on the schedule you have created for him.