Whippet Won't Walk

[skycat 6,173]

If a pup is not properly socialised before 12 weeks of age it can struggle with facing the big outside world. This is why it is so important to get them out and about, beyond your yard or garden fence, before they hit the 'fear' stage. Even if they haven't had all their jabs, carry them out for small walks so they can get used to the goings on in the world.

Not all pups show a definite fear stage, and what turns one pup into a quaking wreck may not affect another. It depends on temperament and breeding, but even the more timid pup can get over this fear so long as you stay calm, don't make a big deal of it, and keep on exposing the pup to different things. A shy or over sensitive pup can just as easily be a great worker once it has grown up, but you do have to do more work on building up their confidence when they are young.

 

Treats may work, but if the pup is genuinely stressed out at finding itself outside its comfort zone only practice, exposure and more practice at coping with stuff will help. For example, a sudden loud noise, a car going past, a pram squeaking: any of those things that your pup hasn't seen or heard before, can make it fearful. But once the pup realises that the strange sight or sound isn't actually going to hurt it, they gradually get desensitized to things. If the pup is going out for the first time at 15 weeks old, expect it to take a lot longer to get used to new things, and some may always find it hard to cope with different and strange situations if they are of a very sensitive temperament.

 

As it's only a small pup, just pick it up and carry it for a bit. Quite often, though I do this with younger pups as a rule, I carry them for the first little bit, then put them down, let them explore on the lead, going where they want, within reason, while I follow. I guarantee that the pup will be happy to walk all the way back home! And each time you go out, go a little further, and always follow the same route back to begin with, so the pup learns where it is. Only go a few hundred yards to begin with.

 

A scared pup is NOT being stubborn, it just doesn't want to venture too far from its home. This is normal. Wild animals take weeks and months gradually getting to know their environment, each day going a little further, but making frequent dashes back to the den just to fix their escape route back to safety if danger threatens. Just be patient and kind and calm and build up the distance you do each time the pup is confident at a certain distance.

[terryd 8,363]

Mine was exact same not keen at all to go so I just carried it past the zone once out he was ok even then soon as he sussed we were getting near home on way back started pulled like mad. But I just kept nibbling away and now his fine. Just phases with mine he went from nothing bother him at 10 weeks to quite nervy then after a few more weeks came out other side ok. Now he will sit in the centre crossing of the dual carriage way with lorries whizzing by his nose and not bat an eye

Edited December 24, 2014 by terryd

[chris.s 28]

Same happened with my birch I just kept holdin a treat infront of her to make her walk a little further then give her treat after about 20m she soon started walking without the treats

[Maximus Ferret 2,063]

More than anything I'm a bit gutted as I love walking I thought we'd be out all the time

Don't worry, with a bit of patience you soon will be.

[Anthony121184 26]

Just walk it and stop worrying if u have to drag it a bit so wat will get used to it.

[leegreen 2,149]

 

its probably being stubborn on the lead. Keep pulling it and it will soon get to grips with walking on the lead.

 

 

 

Just walk it and stop worrying if u have to drag it a bit so wat will get used to it.

 

 

Excellent way to make the pup hate you and walks.

[Casso 1,261]

There has to be something in it for the pup, it's how dogs turn a negetive into a positive ,

 

The lead walking has to be the prelude to something enjoyable happening for the pup , walk so far and take out a ball or something like that , play , walk again produce it again and so on ,

A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down ,

[rob284 1,682]

 

 

its probably being stubborn on the lead. Keep pulling it and it will soon get to grips with walking on the lead.

 

Just walk it and stop worrying if u have to drag it a bit so wat will get used to it.

 

Excellent way to make the pup hate you and walks.

non of my dogs hate walks. So what are you on about. Maybe it would be a better idea to have got the pup a pram to push it in! If you give em a tug they soon realise that resisting the lead is pointless. All the pups that have done it with me have done it out of stubbornness (spelling) not lack of confidence because as soon as i let them off the lead they would walk ahead full of curiousity.

[Anthony121184 26]

 

 

its probably being stubborn on the lead. Keep pulling it and it will soon get to grips with walking on the lead.

 

Just walk it and stop worrying if u have to drag it a bit so wat will get used to it.

 

Excellent way to make the pup hate you and walks.

Not at all, I think some of u lads are to soft with u dogs.

[morton 5,368]

Pick it up,walk a few minutes and put it down

 

 

its probably being stubborn on the lead. Keep pulling it and it will soon get to grips with walking on the lead.

 

Just walk it and stop worrying if u have to drag it a bit so wat will get used to it.

There,s some truth in that,sometimes a sterner approach is needed,id explore other options first,pick it up and carry it awhile,then let it down and allow it to become more comfortable with its surroundings before you make the next move,a little firmer persuasion is sometimes all thats needed.

 

 

Excellent way to make the pup hate you and walks.

 

Not at all, I think some of u lads are to soft with u dogs.

 

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Patience is the key...

 

A working dog is a valuable possession,.it can earn you a good living,..and most definitely keep the wolf from the door..SO,..let it be a baby,..cosset the wee fecker,..spoil it,..give it what it wants...

 

 

It will soon be payback time,...the day will dawn when school is over,...... then life gets harder..

Edited December 29, 2014 by Phil Lloyd

[Andrew Clark 12]

I borrowed a jack russel it seems to have helped she was more interested in him keeping up with him

[Blackdog92 2,047]

I had the same problem with my 1st dog I Would drag her for miles and as soon as I turned to head home she would pull all the way home. She got over it after she got a sore bum from being dragged all the time. Just give it time and patience.

[flipbull 1,139]

I borrowed a jack russel it seems to have helped she was more interested in him keeping up with him

Glad it worked .Forgets it's even on the lead.