Puppy plops down on walks and won't budge

[Wendy and Sophie]

Hi All,

Am hoping you can help with some walking advice.  Our 12 week old Sophie plops down on the ground during walks and won't budge.  It's hard to gain control of the walk when she is firmly planted on the ground.  We do have her on a harness, but it does not help this particular situation. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much,
Wendy & Sophie

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

She is only a baby and too young to take on 'walks' in the traditional sense. Also I presume she is past all her shots as it is not safe to let her walk outdoors if she has not.  Take it slowly. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

She is very young and probably overwhelmed.  Not all puppies are rambunctious and want to run here and there.  Charlie was never much of a walker and even now at 4, he would prefer to stay in his own yard and play fetch.  When we do walk, after about 15 minutes, he sits down and looks at me like can we go home now - so we never go longer than 30 minutes.  Beau our 2 year old,  can walk for as long as I want to go, but he too was timid when a young puppy.  Just take it easy and do not force the issue. 

[Mindy's fam]

My now almost 16 week old puppy just started doing the non-budge plop down on walks. It's confusing because she does it now more than she did it when she was younger. I'm trying to figure it out too!

[Wendy and Sophie]

Thanks so much for your feedback!  We will slow down on our walking for now.  We have been taking her to an area that's not well traveled, but can wait a few weeks to continue. I appreciate the insights!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Hi Wendy.  Sophie's too young for a walk to really be a walk.  Try walking short distances in the yard or house. Make it more of a game to come along.  Keep small treats in your pocket and reward her with a treat and a happy "yes! from time to time" For now, it doesn't matter where you're going.   Forward and fun --a little bit at a time -- is the idea. Until she has her final shots (usually at 16 weeks), you can take her places by carrying her so she gets used to lots of sights and sounds. Just take it slow and don't expect too much, she's still a baby :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You can take her places - just carry her.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree this is really young for real "walks".  Right now you just want to get her used to the leash.  I'd take her out in the yard on the leash and make it "fun" but when she starts biting it or just plops down that would signal the end of the playtime.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh I remember those days....walking part way down the block and then carrying him home lol. It will pass. It is easiest at that age to practice off leash walking in the house and then yard by luring him to stay at your side with a treat.

[Wendy and Sophie]

Thanks so much for all the great advice.  We switched to doing a short stroll just around our yard this morning, and that worked well!

[Moe]

My dog never wanted to leave the yard. If we went in the car to a park or hiking spot she would walk for an hour. She is now four and will still plonk down on the ground and refused to walk past the neighbors house. She just doesn't like to leave home. If we drive somewhere and she was not near our house she's good to go.

[Denise L. McCall]

:-) :-) Both of my doods did that when they were little, believe me when they get older and their senses really kick in, you will not be able to keep them still with all the sniffing and squirrel and rabbit patrols!!!  Mine are 2yrs old and 9 months old now, walking them at the same time is a BIG undertaking for my little 4' 11" frame :-)

[Lynda Kamrath]

My labradoodle used to do that too when he was a puppy, but it was in hot weather and he would walk from shady area to shady area and then sit down and refuse to move.  He got over it quickly but always did love the shade.