- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Taking your dog on a walk is a fun way to connect and a great way to support their health. So, it can be discouraging if your dog refuses to walk. Dog parents often wonder if their pup is being stubborn or if there’s a more significant issue. There are many reasons why a dog might not walk, including pain, discomfort, fear, or age.
Below, we’ll share reasons dogs don’t want to go outside or stop walking. We’ll also discuss solutions with advice from experts so you can enjoy lifelong walks with your favorite companion.
1. They’re in Pain
If your dog seems uncomfortable when refusing to walk, there’s a good possibility they’re in pain.
Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, and dog trainer with We Love Doodles, says several conditions and health issues can discourage a dog from walking because of pain or discomfort.
Common culprits include:
- Arthritis: joint pain usually in older dogs
- Hip dysplasia: a genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t correctly fit in its socket
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): a condition that causes back pain
- Injuries: Circumstantial impairments, including sprains, fractures, and paw wounds
Signs your dog is in pain include:
- Changes in posture
- Stiff movements
- Slower reflexes
- Unusual breathing
- Shivering or shaking
- Licking or biting a specific area
Solutions
Some conditions can be treated at home, while others need medical attention. If you notice your dog’s in pain, it’s best to consult your vet to ensure you properly treat it.
Depending on your vet’s recommendations, there are various ways to treat pain, including the following.
- Medication
- Encourage rest
- Gently massage the area (if it’s joint or muscle-related)
After your dog has rested for a few days, take a short walk. See how your dog reacts. If they seem uncomfortable, return home.
It’s best to allow them to recover fully, then gradually build back up to walking. Puzzle activities are a great way to let your dog exercise while recovering.
2. They Feel Uncomfortable
Some dogs feel uncomfortable walking and moving around while wearing harnesses, booties, or clothing. Although these items can be helpful for walks, animals don’t naturally wear clothes. So they can feel restricted and anxious. It might also make your dog feel too warm, especially if it has thick fur.
Solutions
To confirm this is the issue, see if your dog’s happy to walk when it’s not wearing anything. You can also try the following to ensure they’re comfortable, even while wearing a harness, booties, or clothing:
- Loosen the item
- Avoid clothing or costumes during walks
- Try out different harnesses or booties to find the best option
- Gradually train your dog to wear a harness or booties, starting with a few seconds and building up to more time
- Offer praise and treats when they wear the harness or booties
3. They’re Afraid
Although many dogs wag their tails and get excited when it’s time to go outside, some fear walking because of a lack of exposure or a prior negative experience.
If your dog refuses to walk even though they usually enjoy it, an unusual sight, smell, or sound could be causing stress. Dr. Wailani Sung, a Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, outlines these signs of fear or panic in dogs.
- A tucked tail
- Trembling
- Panting
- Diarrhea
- Tail-chasing
Solutions
If your dog shows fear, you want to desensitize them to walks slowly. Lillian Ciardelli, an Associate Certified Applied Behavior Analyst with Behave Atlanta, says you can follow these steps to warm your dog up to walking without fear:
- Walk somewhere they’re comfortable with (i.e., your living room or front yard)
- Stop walking at the first sign of discomfort and return home
- Offer treats and praise during and after the walk
- Repeat these steps to grow your bubble
You might notice potential fears (i.e., moving cars) with practice. In this case, you can teach your dog to sit or stay and use phrases like “it’s okay” to offer solace. Then, offer a treat or praise.
Lastly, she explains it’s best to think months, not weeks, regarding how long it can take to desensitize a fearful dog to walks.
4. They Don’t Like the Direction You’re Taking Them
If your dog stops walking, it could be the direction you’re taking them. This is one of the easier challenges to overcome.
Dogs might not like walking in a particular direction due to single-event learning. This phenomenon occurs if a pet experiences one traumatic event that instills fear, phobia, or anxiety. For example, if your dog got into a fight with another animal, they might be hesitant to take that route again.
Ciardelli says dogs can internalize fear of a painful or stressful event. It’s common for animals to create negative associations even when those factors didn’t cause the negative experience. For example, if a car backfires on your walk, your dog might avoid the street it occurred on, even though that route wasn’t the cause.
Solutions
You can implement the same steps for dog desensitization to help your dog overcome not wanting to go on a specific route.
Avoid the area they’re uncomfortable walking; instead, choose a route they prefer to create positive walking experiences. Then, gradually start walking them the way they avoid, offering treats and praises.
If you must walk in a specific direction, it’s best to take another route until you desensitize them. Forcing your dog can create distrust and more fear.
5. They Need Proper Leash Training
Proper leash training can help make walking more accessible and fun for your dog. Walking on a leash isn’t natural for animals, but leash training can make it more comfortable.
Some breeds are easier to train than others. For example, Border Collies, Poodles, and Golden Retrievers usually learn fast.
Your dog’s age might also affect leash training. Young dogs are high-energy, while older dogs already have habits. However, Beth Friedman, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with Canine Companion Consulting, says you can start leash-training your dog at any age.
Solutions
Proper leash training can go a long way. First, start with a suitable collar and leash or harness. Kong suggests using a flat collar or front-clip harness and a non-retractable leash.
Then, she suggests implementing these leash-training steps:
- Put your dog’s leash on and walk around in a familiar, low-distraction area, like your living room.
- Offer treats to create a positive experience.
- Keep training sessions short at 5-10 minutes each.
- Stop walking if your dog pulls.
- Practice daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
As your dog progresses, you can increase the time and try walking outside.
6. They Don’t Like Their Walker
It’s not unusual for dogs to favor walking with one person over another. Or they might prefer walking with a group over an individual. If your dog has a favorite person to walk with, they probably connect that person to positive experiences.
On the other hand, your dog might be uncomfortable walking with a particular person. Kong says dogs are intuitive and can pick up on negative energy. Your dog may also associate a bad walking experience with someone, even if the walker didn’t cause it. For example, if your dog gets frightened by an unusual sound while walking with a particular person, they might feel nervous walking together in the future.
Is your dog more comfortable walking with a group like two partners? Kong says this is likely because dogs are pack animals and feel more secure and confident in a group setting.
Solutions
Encouraging your dog to feel comfortable walking with a specific person or dog walker is similar to training them to overcome fears or walk on a leash.
Take gradual, positive steps to support their comfort and success:
- Let your dog spend time in a comfortable setting with their favorite person and the other individual.
- Eventually, have your dog walk with their non-favorite person with you there.
- Over time, be further away while they’re walking but offer praise.
- Encourage the other walking companion to be positive and happy.
Remember, treats and praises go a long way with pets.
7. They’re Tired & Hot
If your dog refuses to go outside or stops walking, this can signify exhaustion or heat. These can happen separately or simultaneously. Dogs might become exhausted or hot from too much exercise or illness. Signs of exhaustion include:
- Panting
- Drinking a lot of water
- Wanting to lie down
If your dog seems exhausted, it’s best to go back home so they can rest.
Exhaustion isn’t to be confused with lethargy. You can usually tell the difference because a lethargic dog won’t respond to usual triggers like hearing their name or getting a treat. If this seems to be the case, contact your vet. If the temperature is warm, your dog could also have a heatstroke and stop walking. Signs of a heatstroke include:
- Heavy, rapid breathing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Red gums and tongue
- Skin that’s hot to the touch
Solutions
If your dog’s panting but you don’t see any other symptoms, let them take a rest and drink water. You can continue your walk if they seem ready to go after a break. If they still seem tired, return home.
If you notice signs of a heat stroke, Kong says you should immediately take your dog to the vet. A heat stroke can cause severe health concerns and is potentially fatal. It’s best to offer your dog water, help your dog cool down with a fan and light spritz of cool water, and head to the vet.
It’s best not to have your dog walk if they’re potentially having a heat stroke, so carry them or call for help if needed.
8. They’re Cold
Like people, many dogs don’t like going outside when it’s cold. Many breeds, including Greyhounds and Beagles with short or thin hair, aren’t accustomed to cold weather. Small breeds like Chihuahuas are also sensitive to cooler temperatures.
Your dog might also refuse to go on a walk if they’re experiencing hypothermia, which means their body temperature has dropped too low. Symptoms of hypothermia include:
- Feeling cold to the touch
- Shivering
- Whining
- Confusion
Solutions
Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, says to consider your dog’s size and coat to determine if it’s too cold to go on walks once temperatures fall below 45°C. Many dogs, especially young and hyperactive, require regular exercise. In that case, consider having your dog wear a jacket for their walk.
You can also walk during the warmer parts of the day when the sun’s out, usually mid-late afternoon.
How to Encourage Your Dog to Walk
When your dog doesn’t want to walk or go outside, dragging them might seem like the natural response because you want to encourage walking. However, dragging your dog can negatively impact your relationship and your dog’s health.
Instead, try these effective methods to encourage your dog to walk.
- Use the right kind of harness and leash
- Talk in a happy voice to get them excited to walk
- Explore a different route
- Offer a treat and praise every few steps
If you can’t get your dog to walk enough to leave your house, start in a more comfortable space like your living room or yard. Then, try taking longer walks outside.
Although it can be stressful when your dog refuses to walk, showing patience and support usually works well. Walk should be fun, so it’s okay to start slow and build up to comfortability.