Stubborn Doodle...anyone have a Doodle who decides when he wants to walk and when he doesn't?!

[Dexter's Mom]

Does anyone have a stubborn Doodle who decides when he/she wants to walk and when he/she doesn't?

 

Dexter has a mind of his own. And he's lazy. Has been since the day we got him. When he was a puppy he just wanted to sit or lay down when we were out walking. For the most part he still just loves to lay down or cuddle. We were able to break him of the walking habit until recently when he has decided to test us again. He's very good on a leash...doesn't pull, doesn't go crazy...he's just trying to be the boss and tell us when he wants to walk. He just puts the breaks on and its very hard to get him going. Coaxing doesn't work, positive verbal reinforcement doesn't work. We really haven't tried treats because we've been trying to work on training without them as much as possible.

 

Another issue we have is that he has a hard time walking by people or other dogs without stopping because he just wants to say hi. That's partially our bad because we've taught him to sit and/or lay to greet people and dogs since he's a big boy (just about every dog in our neighborhood is much smaller). But now he doesn't know when to sit/lay and greet people, and when to keep walking. He just automatically goes to the side and sits or lays down (it looks like he's being a very good boy, but when you just want to keep walking its frustrating). He also has a hard time if someone is immediately behind him (he wants to look back at them and doesn't watch where he's going)...or if someone is across the street (same situation, he wants to watch them). If we're walking in a group (of people or dogs), he does better, but he can't lead the group without looking back and running into things LOL.

 

Has anyone experienced anything like this, or have any recommendations? We're currently in an intermediate obedience training class (we've trained him ourselves thus far). He's by far the best dog in the class. This should be a great class for him because it really works on commands with distractions, which he obviously needs help with.

 

Thanks!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep. Mellow Starlit could actually be confused with an Ol' Mule. If she does not want to walk, come, leave the kitchen, get off the bed............ you get the picture she is NOT going to do it :) She lays down and even covers her head. "NoPE NOPE NOPE--Not doing it right now Nope I just wanna lay here"

[Dexter's Mom]

LOL that sounds just like my Dexter. Though he doesn't cover his face...that's too cute. Dexter just plays ragdoll and when we go to move him he's dead weight. Especially when he's laying on the bed and we're going to put him in his crate. He just lays there, all 55 lbs of him, while my husband CARRIES him. HAHA That's the life. Any luck with breaking this habit?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Only with food. She will move for food only! I do keep her in a harness~~ gentle walker. With a harness on she will come but if I pull on a collar she will really shut down, roll over, turn her head and become completely dead weight. It becomes a stand off :) I hate this game. LOL

The come command is always the most important to learn... and this is just a different example as to why.

[Dexter's Mom]

We're on a collar now and he's done pretty well. We started on a body harness when he was a pup and then transitioned to the collar.

So true about learning commands. We do struggle with him some in that regard. He has a mind of his own and decides when he wants to and when he doesn't. He knows exactly what we're asking of him but sometimes just doesn't feel like it..stubborn guy :-)

[Joy Williams]

Our Morgan does this sometimes while we are walking. Everything will be fine and then, all of a sudden, she will just stop! And stand there and look at you. She's even done it while in the middle of the street. When you try to pull her (we use the gentle leader) she sticks her toungue out and makes it look like you are choking her. She will not budge until she is ready. The only thing that will usually work to get her moving again is, I will say, Come on, let's go get Dad!! like I am so excited about seeing Dad. This usually will get her moving again. She definitely has a mind of her own!

[Dexter's Mom]

LOL - my husband and I do the same thing "Let's go get Mom" "Let's go get Dad". They really are intelligent creatures!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sophie has done this on occasion to me and what I have figured out on several occasions when I slack off pulling her to come, is that she needs to potty, and wants to go to the side of the road to potty! Happened just last night. Will usually be when she has gone recently and I'm not thinking that she will want to potty. She also loves to get to the side of the road back in the woods and eat weeds (we refer to it as the salad bar). So I'm usually not letting her go in that direction and she will just stop and nothing I do makes her go ..... then it dawns on me maybe she has to potty.

[Joy Williams]

HA!! Salad Bar... I love it!!

[Sue & Willy Babe]

Wilson was like that when he was little lol not he is a lovable 80 pound 2 year old I used treats to get him going and for the walking part when he would not get going i had a squeeky toy with me He is fine when he meets other dogs he gets in the play mode and jumps around pretty funny I also talk to him in a high squeeky voice and that seems to work pretty well too. When he meets people I have him sit then release him after they have said HI to wilson when he looks back at someone I just say I'm walking come with me and he does. Good Luck

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This sounds like Murphy. He can still only walk about half as far as Guinness. We usually bring him home after about 15 minutes and then keep going with Guinness. I always keep a couple of small treats in my pocket to get him "motivated" when I need to. I also have to get all excited and start to walk faster calling him to keep him moving when he decides he's tired. I think he's one of these rare Doodles who really doesn't seem to like or need a lot of exercise. I'm so glad we have Guinness, because he at least keeps him moving at home....chasing him to get his toys back.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I know it's a problem for you but it's pretty funny! My dogs are the exact opposite, they are ALWAYS up for a walk/run/hike - anything to get out of the house!! I can't sneak into the garage without having both of them come running and looking expectantly, wagging their tails like crazy. When they realize we're not going anywhere, they look sooooo disappointed that it almost breaks my heart.

The only thing I can think of is variation of your routine - taking Dexter out on new trails, take him swimming, to a new park, ballfield, do something different every day so it's not just the same old boring walk around the block? I rotate my morning hikes between 10 or so different trails/parks so we don't go on the same ones more then 2-3 times per month.

[Dexter's Mom]

LOL It is pretty funny. :-) Great recommendation to vary our routine. Thanks!!