Why does my dog not want to go further when we walk?

Walking with your dog is a great way to relax and spend time with your pet. So it can be annoying if your dog is uncooperative and suddenly doesn't want to go. He's stubborn, he sits down, and no matter how much you ask him, he won't go any further. There could be several reasons behind the behaviour, and none of them is that the dog is disobedient and bad.

You’ve probably seen a video on social media of an owner “fighting” a dog that refuses to move.
The human pulls, tugs, pleads, maybe even fights, but the animal refuses to move. In most cases, the images are highly entertaining, but it is far from certain that the animal is acting out of spite. In fact, it is far from certain. Below, we’ve collected the most common reasons why your dog may not want to walk any further, and we’ve also given you some tips to help you solve the problems that may arise.

Something hurts

If your dog stops suddenly while you are walking and you notice that he is not holding his body as he normally would, or is whimpering or showing other signs of pain (such as shaking, licking or changing his breathing), there is probably a physical barrier to your dog continuing to walk. In older dogs, arthritis can prevent the animal from moving, but in hip dysplasia can also make the animal uncomfortable.

If the dog has been playing a lot during the walk, your pet may also be injured, even if you don’t notice it. Check if you can see any injuries or notice anything else in your pet’s behaviour that might indicate a physical problem. If you notice that your dog is moving more slowly or less, not only during walks but also at home, it’s worth visiting the vet for a full check-up.

Feeling uncomfortable

Some dogs may be uncomfortable when wearing a harness, shoes or clothing. Although these may be useful during walks, as it is unnatural for the animal to wear them, they may become anxious if you put them on. In the cold winter months, a dog coat may also be an option. But it is easy to make the mistake of overdressing your pet and making it hot.

If you have found a tool on a walk that you don’t normally use, it’s worth checking to see if it will go further if you take it off. If it does, if it is not absolutely necessary to use it, don’t take it out again. And if it’s not necessary, try a different kind that may be more comfortable for the animal.

Afraid of something

Although most dogs wag their tails and get excited when it’s time to go for a walk, some pets may be frightened by previous trauma or going off the beaten track.
They may also be stressed by an unusual sight, smell or sound that causes them to freeze: they sit down and don’t want to go any further.

Doesn’t want to go where you lead

If your dog suddenly stops walking, it may not want to go where you are going. There could be several reasons for this. For example, if he has had an unpleasant experience in a particular area (for example, he may have been approached by another dog without being asked), he may not want to go there again.

It may also be that your dog already knows all the routes by heart and knows you’re taking him for a short walk when he needs a longer walk to get the right amount of exercise.
For once, let your pet dictate the route and pace, chances are he’ll start again.

Tired

It is very important that you always take your dog’s physical characteristics into account when you go for a walk. It may seem like a good idea to take your pet for a long walk, but it may not be a good idea for him. If you’ve spent more time outside than average and your dog doesn’t want to go any further, he’s probably just tired.

The most obvious sign of this is panting and a gradual slowing down of movement even before you sit down. With a small dog, you don’t have to struggle, as you just need to hold him and they can go on their way. For larger dogs, give the animal some time to rest a little and then move on.

It’s cold

Like people, dogs often don’t like to go outside when it’s cold. Winter-loving breeds will certainly not have this problem, but small, short-haired dogs may be uncomfortable in the weather. A clear sign of a cold is shivering and a dog that, although it won’t sit on the cold ground, doesn’t want to go any further.

If you notice that your pet is cold, don’t force him to exercise and go home to avoid him getting sick. Next time, be more prepared and give him a thicker coat.

How do you encourage your dog to walk?

When your dog doesn’t want to go for a walk, the worst thing you can do is fight and bully.
In the vast majority of cases this will not be effective, but it can also damage the dog-owner relationship. Although it can be stressful if your dog doesn’t want to go any further, patience, kindness and support will usually help to resolve the situation.