Why Does My Puppy Refuse to Go on Walks?

Taking your puppy for regular walks is important for exercise and socialization. But puppies aren’t born knowing how to walk on leash. Although some will walk beside you and others will pull you along, there are some puppies that, as soon as you clip on the leash, refuse to budge. What’s up with these reluctant pups? Why does the leash act like a stop sign? The truth is many puppies are frightened, either of the collar and leash or of the great outdoors. Read on to learn more about why your puppy refuses to go on walks and how you can change their attitude.

Teach Your Puppy to Love the Leash
Simply clipping on a leash can be enough to shut some puppies down. That’s because a leash is a form of restraint. When your puppy is leashed, they can’t go where they want or escape from anything that frightens them. And that feeling is intimidating. Rather than seeing the leash as the predictor of an exciting walk, they see it as scary.

Taking your puppy for regular walks is important for exercise and socialization. But puppies aren’t born knowing how to walk on leash. Although some will walk beside you and others will pull you along, there are some puppies that, as soon as you clip on the leash, refuse to budge. What’s up with these reluctant pups? Why does the leash act like a stop sign? The truth is many puppies are frightened, either of the collar and leash or of the great outdoors. Read on to learn more about why your puppy refuses to go on walks and how you can change their attitude.

Teach Your Puppy to Love the Leash
Simply clipping on a leash can be enough to shut some puppies down. That’s because a leash is a form of restraint. When your puppy is leashed, they can’t go where they want or escape from anything that frightens them. And that feeling is intimidating. Rather than seeing the leash as the predictor of an exciting walk, they see it as scary.

AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

For some puppies, even a collar can upset them. It feels strange. Plus, if you use the collar to grab your puppy and pull them around, they will associate it with negative consequences. Instead, you want your puppy to enjoy their collar and feel comfortable being held by it.

Hopefully, your breeder will have introduced your puppy to a collar and leash. But if not, it’s your job to help your pup feel confident wearing them. Start in the house with short periods of time. Praise and play with your puppy while they’re wearing them and feed delicious treats as a reward. You can also play the “Gotcha” game with the collar by gently grabbing your puppy’s collar before feeding a favorite treat. In no time, your puppy will see the collar and leash as a predictor of wonderful things.

Now you’re ready to teach your puppy to walk on leash. While still in the house, use treats to lure your puppy towards you while they are clipped to the leash. Praise and reward your puppy when they come to you. Next, start walking with your puppy. If your pup is hesitant, lure them with treats. When your puppy will walk with you in the house, try the backyard before moving to the sidewalk. Keep your sessions short with frequent praise and rewards.