Is my Doodle nuts? She does not like walks.

[Terry Lauzon]

Hi All;

Jazz is 15 weeks old, has all her shots and has gone through the required waiting period. We have been attempting to walk her in the neighbourhood but we only get a few houses down the sidewalk before she is utterly distracted by EVERYTHING! People, cars, any debris on lawns, lawn ornaments, smells... Typically I end up picking her up and carrying her home where she has lots of energy for play. She is on a leash a lot of the time both in the house and yard and seems to be very comfortable with it. She is surprisingly well behaved inside and out.

Does anyone have any advice for teaching Jazz that walks are fun?

Thanks in advance for you comments and suggestions.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

What a little sweetheart! I understand you must be looking forward to walking Jazz, but you'll find it is pretty common that it takes a while to "walk" puppies - she is still very young and will need time and training to understand what she is to do. I remember mine stopping for everything, too - leaves rustling in the street, especially. A trainer told me to be "more interesting" than anything else while we walked - use a cheerful, bubbly voice and treat her when she follows you - encouraging her on. My command was, "let's go!" Said very sweetly and positively. Oh, and Doggy Dan recommends you give them time to explore when on walks too, but on your terms/cue. A mix of both is probably a good way to start. So cute. Enjoy her - you'll get there! :-)

[Sarah N]

Our Benny used to nose dive into basically any shady grassy spot when we would try and walk him when he was a puppy. He is 10 months old now and loves his walks. Give it some time and patience and she'll be walking you before you know it (when this happens I strongly recommend a gentle leader or perfect pace halter (https://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/the-perfect-pace-no-pull-dog-halter/)

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Too much cuteness :-)
I think your puppy is just very young and everything is so new and interesting.
It just takes some time and training. It's so easy to be distracted at this age.
Doggy Dan has great tips. I wonder if you have started classes yet as they will also
give you instruction on how to train for walking.

[Diane D]

Hi,

Your puppy is still young and is like a toddler, wanting to see, taste smell and touch everything. It will be a while before she settles down. All of the suggestions listed below are excellent. When she gets a month or so older and she's not walking, or lunging or jumping on people or pulling, I suggest a "head collar" or Halti. Used that on my Roxy and it worked wonders. I can take her into stores, parks, kids sporting events and she behaves like a lady.

[Lisette Palmer]

What an adorable puppy.  She will come around.

[Rhoni Ann]

She is a doll!! She is being all puppy exploring everything, everything is new to her.  She is like a toddler that needs to explore everything with her body. And sadly there will be days when you take her outside that she doesn't even know her name. When you do get her walking she might jerk you in a direction because a leaf floated by, not to mention she might be walking you.  My advice is to just keep walking her, call her name or however you call her to you when you want her to come, give a little tug on the leash to get her to come in your direction, praise her and keep moving. But above all stop picking her up and carrying her home. You might not realize it but she is learning with every action you so, my little girl at 7 months old weights a whopping 55 lbs., that is something you don't want to carry home. I use a harness when I have to put either kids on a leash. Carter is 7 months, I've only had it on her a few times. Cash is 3 yrs, he knows when I get the harness and leash he is going for a ride, that is a box excitement that can not be contained. Keep work on it, she will get it. Good Luck!!

[Missy]

what a cutie!!  Walking takes time. We were almost a year old, before we got our 'walk' on.  lots of 5 minute sessions in the yard for months!  I even remembering chatting with a friend that my pup doesn't like to take walks, she encouraged me to keep trying but in small doses.  And after our 1st birthday, it was like a switch...he was ready to walk.

Now at 3 years, you mention the word walk or even spell w a l k...the dog is at the door, ready to be leashed up! 

hang in there....walking will come.

[Terry Lauzon]

Thanks to all for your kind words of encouragement. We doggy sat one of Jazz's buddies, Kobi a 75 lbs husky, and during our dual walk Jazz was right there the whole way. Progress with patients.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

That's so great - love how the little ones learn from the older ones. Smart idea.

[Jennifer Simon]

Our Piper is now six months old. I remember thinking she would NEVER learn how to walk. This week I took her for a five mile walk, seriously. In February and beginning of March she wouldn't go more than two houses before laying down and not moving. 

In early March I saw a couple walking two large dogs and asked if we could follow. My daughter was mortified. We followed VERY close, lol. Piper got the hang of it shortly after that introduction. Also taking her outside of the neighborhood helped.