"walking is so terrible"

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Zoe is 4 months old now and we are slowly trying to incorporate short walk times into her days.  We were so excited to start this process because she LOVES running around in our yard so we thought she would love going on walks especially because we have a regional park around the corner so there are tons of grassy fields, trails, and a lake!  But no...she HATES it.  She will avoid it like a plague, and once on the walk down the street, she acts peculiar and always tries to turn back to the house.  Once we give up and start walking back home, she will try to RUN back.  I'm not sure if she's too young, is not used to all the noises around her, or if she really absolutely hates it because she likes being home... but I was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this with their doodle.  I'd like to also note there are no real noises around our neighborhood because we live on top of a hill so there is no traffic sounds or anything "city" like.  Just other dogs and cats in their homes or people that walk by.

[Wendy and Eddie]

Have you put the leash on her in the house and practiced walking her around the hallways on the lead? I had a stray once who hated the leash, but once got used to it realized that walking with it is okay.

Or, if it's not the leash--Does Zoe have all her shots? You could try sitting at a SB outside (if you're in a warm climate) with her and give her lots of treats, and moving to other locations before combining the scary outdoors and a leash.

EVERYTHING with a puppy takes patience and about 20 times longer to work on than puppy books would have you believe.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

She'll be fine. Remember, she is used to her own little world that she's been in for the past few months. There are all sorts of new smells and sounds. She'll get used to it. Start with short walks, bring treats, praise her as you go. Eventually she'll be totally excited when you say the "w" word:)

[Esther and Joey]

We got Joey when she was 4 months. We live in Manhattan and she was TERRIFIED to go outside. Whenever we needed to take her out she would go hide in her crate. I looked everywhere online and most people had the opposite problem so I didn't know what to do. Therefore, I completely understand!

She is now 8 months and she is coming to the door when called. we basically fed her outside - in the hallway, right outside of our building, down the street. We fed all her meals outside. In the beginning she didn't eat it and would skip meals but that meant the next meal she took it outside.

My advice is to keep taking her out - she's going through her fear phase.

[Anne G.]

Murphy is 10 months old and still will run outside if we pick up the leash in order to avoid going on a walk. However, once we're on the walk she seems to enjoy it. When she was younger we used the gentle leader on the advice of our trainer. She really hated that and although we no longer use it, I think she still has that association with walking. Honestly I wonder if she will EVER enjoy it. So I completely understand where you're coming from. I guess our doodles like their freedom and don't want an constraints. I'll be anxious to see what other DKers have to say!

[Leslie & Axl Sacks]

similar to what Wendy said, our trainer told our puppy class to get the puppies used to all kinds of sensory distractions.  Take Zoe for a ride in the car. Have people come into your house to visit her. Once immunized take her to places like a pet-friendly pet store or cafe where you can sit with her & she can watch the world go by.  Walk her on different surfaces (grass, concrete, etc...) Axl was freaked out when we would walk closer to the main road of our development when we first got him, but he eventually got used to the noise & visuals. Get her used to this early because as they get bigger, they pull harder & run faster!  PS-Zoe is ADORABLE!!!

[Ashley, Ronnie and Ruby]

She is just scared and does not want to go far from her comfortable den. Ruby was like that too at first. We would reward her when she would walk a little further but never forced her to walk if she was too afraid. It won't take long. She will soon love it :)

[Moe]

My dog is the exact same. We would practically have to drag her 3-4 houses down the block. As soon as we turned around to go back she would run. I started driving her to a state park where she would not know where home was. I used a clicker and clicked and treated her whenever she moved forward. She is still reluctant to walk around the block (still doesn't like to leave the yard) but she is much better walking on trails and in parks. Keep praising and treating!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

thank you everyone!  we will keep trying =)

[Tasia Lung]

My doodle Maggie was like this for a few months too.  She hated the leash and refused to even stand up when we put it on her. Eventually when we started walking she did the same thing you're describing......she tried to get back home.  We just kept with it. Everyday putting on the leash and attempting a walk....I even tied the leash around my waist in the house to get her used to it.  Maggie is very smart, but very stubborn and often when we started new habits and routines it required lots of patience and persistence before we were successful.  There are still plenty of things that she has not yet accepted.  Good Luck!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Hi!  I guess I should update.  Zoe is 6 months now and LOVESSSSS her walks!!!  She gets SO happy and jumps around when she knows it's time!  Thank you everyone for all you feedback...I guess I was just a worried mom!