Why doesn't he want to walk?????

[Nikki & Charlie]

There's been a change in my dog the last few weeks. I recently started school again and three days a week I have to wake him up at 6am - a time he's not used to waking up at - and take him for a half hour walk before I start my day. I have noticed that ever since we are waking up early to walk, by the evening he's very tired; sometimes he doesn't even want his evening walk! He's a lot more quiet at night now and even wants to go to bed early (he waits by the basement door when he's ready to go to his cage).

He's eating and drinking normally and he's not like this every single day but this morning, he refused to walk. We were not even half way down the street when he stopped and refused to continue walking. Also when we go for walks, if we start walking toward my house even if we are a block away but he knows the way home, he begins to pull soooo hard in a way that he's never done before; I can hardly hold him! I keep trying to make him sit and then start again but he will not stop pulling.

This is all new behaviour. I'm not sure if he's just tired from being up so early or this is something new that comes with age (he's now 2 1/2 years old) but I'm so confused and worried because he usually loves his walks / chasing the ball and being out doors. He's become a lazy couch potato!!!!

Help!

[Missy]

what a cutie!! 

Since you have had a check up and know physically he is fine, I would chalk this new behavior as the 'tweens'. 

We are almost 4 and I remember some changes in behavior about this age in our dood.  For us, it was like, I know the routine, but I would like to express my idea for the 'new routine'.  WE allowed our pup to demonstrate his new likes and dislikes, but never allowed to disobey commands. 

I found that while our pup enjoyed walks, he did not want the walk to replace the play/wrestle time we had with toys. When life gets pretty busy around here, I am mindful to take the time for play time instead of walk time. 

And our dood is much more lazy than he was as a pup.  We have about 2-3 sessions each day with high activity, and the rest is snooze/laying around time. 

we do not get up early on a normal basis. On the days we rise early, the dog is all about sleeping.  It is like interrupted sleep makes him have to start the sleep cycle all over again. lol  

While the refusal to walk could be 'I am in charge', maybe change the times you walk to prove, 'YOU are in charge'. 

These are smart dogs and if you give em an inch, they WILL take a mile! 

[Nikki & Charlie]

Thank you so much! I definitely think he enjoys playing fetch more than walks. I'm going to keep monitoring him but I think he's just adjusting to a new routine and being stubborn and trying to show he's boss. 

I managed to get him to walk yesterday morning, although he did try stopping on me but when I changed the side of the road I was walking on he happily continued. In the evening, he didn't want to walk but was happy and jumping all over the place and hyper playing around int he living room.

I'm going to monitor him and if it continues to happen I'll get him checked out but I think he's fine. Thank you!!

[DonMarie and Picco]

Have you tried taking him to a different place - different route?  Picco quit walking out of the neighborhood (stops, sits, refuses to move) with me but when I drive a couple blocks away he is just fine.  I found he likes to go where he knows he will see other animals - sheep, cows, horses, other dogs or on trails where there might be rabbits or deer.  There is nothing to see around our neighborhood.

[Nikki & Charlie]

No I haven't!! Thanks I'll give that a try tonight. Yesterday he played outside with another dog for half an hour or so but when it came time to walking him so he can do 'his business', he refused.. lol. So i'll try that out tonight and see how it goes, thanks for the suggestion. 

[DonMarie and Picco]

Just curious if you solved the problem yet.  I know it's frustrating!