can anyone help Pleae-our 16month choc Lab won't go for walks-he gets all excited if he thinks he is going out we get his lead on but when we step outside he lays down-we got him out this weekend by one of his friends coming to the house & walking with him-once he was out he had a lovely time but as we go home again he lies down-refusing to move-has anyone seen this problem tacked on any of the dog behavioural programmes-we would be so grateful for any suggestions-Thanks

how long has this been going on?

i'm a bit confused i'm not sure where this post has ended up -i wanted it on 'it's me or the dog' site-this all started just over a month ago-at first he would just sit down every now & again-& we thought he was just tired-but now it's all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by louis6:
i'm a bit confused i'm not sure where this post has ended up -i wanted it on 'it's me or the dog' site-this all started just over a month ago-at first he would just sit down every now & again-& we thought he was just tired-but now it's all the time.

oh....., you were probably in the thread you mentioned "it`s me or the dog", but instead if hitting the "reply" button to keep your message in that thread, you must have clicked on "new", which gave it it`s own thread.

I take it you HAVE taken your dog to the vets already to rule out anything medically wrong (as you thought the dog was just tired)?

Do you let the dog dictate the pace, allowing him to sniff and smell everything he wants? Or do you keep walking, pulling on his lead to make him keep up with you?

Of course, the old favourite answer of mine still applies. Take the dog to an animal therapist, who will be a professional person with qualifications in dog problems, and will give you the exact diagnosis, based on his observations and knowledge of the dog. Whereas we are NOT professionals, and sometimes the advice I`ve seen on here can be downright dangerous. These professionals will be recommended by your vet. Sometimes they advertsise at the vets surgery, but you may also see adverts in reputable pet shops.

thanks for that-we have been to the vets & £600 later they couldn't find anything medically wrong-i've now contacted the lady from 'Dog Borstal' so we may have a consultation with her.

quote:

Originally posted by louis6:
thanks for that-we have been to the vets & £600 later they couldn't find anything medically wrong-i've now contacted the lady from 'Dog Borstal' so we may have a consultation with her.

Well, at least it shows you are geniunely worried about your dog, and are not just looking for freebie help.

You don`t have pet insurance? surely that would have covered you vet`s bills.

Just re-reading your original post again......
Do you alwyas go the same way? does this route take you past any house/garden that houses a noisy dog that may have scred yours?

Have you tried going in the opposite direction as you leave your front gate, does that make your dog behave any better?

Do you drive? have you tried putting the dog into your car, and driving to the park, and then see if he lays down there?

When you walked him with his friend (which I assume was another dog), how did your dog behave as traffic roared past? Does it scare him?

Do you have him walking to heel? or on one of those extending lead things?

Louis is insured so we should get the money back for the tests at the vets-he seems to be behaving a lot better the more he is ignored the more he will walk-so we are just trying that at the moment-thank you so much for your advice.