New Puppy Doesn't Like Going for Walks

Forgive me for two questions in a row! I have a new 10 week old male Boerboel puppy, and have a few quirks to work out.

This little guy is really wonderful and quite mellow. He doesn't seem excited about much, really! He does not like going out for walks. In fact, I can't get him to go beyond the front of my house. I'm sure I'm looking like a complete idiot to all my neighbours...squeaking toys, getting down close to the ground and making all kinds of excitable noises, luring with treats. When I do crouch down, he comes over, and I give him the treat. But he doesn't seem to want to do anything else. I tried pulling on the leash gently, but he just digs in and sits down. So, I don't pull if he doesn't want to go and after a few more tries with squeaking toys and trying to encourage him with praise...we end up going back to the house. Is this just a phase? What else can I do to make him excited to go for walks?

Thanks!

First of all, you shouldn't be taking a dog that young for a walk. Diseases lay dormant in the dirt and earth, and if a dog who was diseased went by your house and peed/pooped, your dog could get it. You shouldn't walk your dog until it's had at least 2 round of vaccinations. Do you have a yard or are you in an apartment? If you are in an apartment you should carry your dog to where it should be safe to pee/poop, and carry them back, and that's it. Only bring your dog near where safe dogs are (ones you know are vaccinated) or indoors.

I agree with raingirl. It's way too risky to have a puppy that young exposed to so many possible diseases. I also have a 10 week old puppy and he is carried outside, let down to do his business and then carried back inside (it's a pain in the butt from an 8th floor apartment but I knew that when we got him). He goes for his second set of shots in a couple of days and maybe then he will have a little more freedom to roam outside. Right now I wouldn't worry too much about walking him alot - just enjoy playing with him inside and cuddling while he still sleeps all the time because down the road there will be plenty of time to take him for walks!

Thank you both for your replies. I didn't realize how easy it would be for him to pick up something from just walking the area around my house. I will make sure to keep him in the backyard only. Even there, though, he seems less and less willing to leave the house. Not sure what's up with that, but will continue to be patient and make it lots of fun.

Thank you.
Joanne

My dog was the same way...for a little while too! She decided that she didn't like to get her paws wet and she was a winter baby, so....we didn't really get into the "walks" until late spring. And then she just outgrew it.


And it's better anyways to wait until you've had proper vaccs, as was mentioned before, so they don't pick up any diseases. :thumbs up

I used to have to drag capone when he was a young puppy. I mean drag. He would dig in also. After a while I couldn't even say the word WALK. Not to worry

Thank you for the encouragement. I'm starting to worry that I'm messing him up...he won't even come to the back door to go outside to relieve himself. Everything outside seems to cause fear...birds, horns, etc. I have to bribe him with treats or carry him outside, and he seems to be regressing. It's good to hear that other's have had similar puppy problems and that they grown out of them.

Thank you, it really does help to hear.

h

10 weeks is the tail end of the first fear period. Anything that scares him now and is not dealt with properly could imprint itself on him for life. Do not "coo" at or treat him when he is afraid. You just rewarded his fears. Instead either ignore the fear and stay with him until he takes a deep breath and gets over it, or help him by distracting him with play. He will look to you, his leader, and think "she's not afraid, I guess I don't have to be either" - a confident leader has a confident pack. Or he thinks "wow, when thunder happens she pulls out the best toys and we play great games - cool!"
DO NOT think this little pup needs to go for walks. Walks are for the people not the puppy. He is a giant breed and his bones, joints and muscles won't be ready for long walks for a long time. G. Shep. breeders will tell you not to do 'forced' exercise until the pup is 2 years old!. Arthritis and displaysia can be caused by over exercising at too early an age. Your pup should only get the same exercise he would playing with his litter mates. He would not venture far from the den at this early age. Equate his age in puppy months to those of a child’s years. 3 months = 3 years. Would you take a 3 year old on a long walk and expect them to do it? Not likely. Though your pup might act like he can do it - he will pay for it years down the road.
Start your leash training in the house - help him understand that he is to give to the pressure of the leash not argue with it. The bus is leaving and he better be on it. Do not look back as he plants his bottom on the ground - just keep slowly/gently moving forward until he takes 1 step towards you - then make the leash slack and praise - praise - praise, and do it again, until you need no pressure on the leash and he comes along with you. That is a leash trained dog.