My dog doesn't want to go out and refuses walks: what can I do?

 My dog doesn't want to go out and refuses walks: what can I do?

When it's time to go for a walk, your dog will lie down in his basket. If you manage to get him out, he brakes with four irons in front of the front door. His message is unequivocal: he doesn't want to go with you. There are several reasons why he may be blocked, and various solutions can be found. Our advice

Why does your dog refuse to go for walks?

Usually, a dog loves to roam in nature and sniff out the many smells that dot his path. That's why a lack of enthusiasm when it comes to walking can seem worrisome. Several reasons can explain his prostration.

He is not used to going out. If you have just adopted a dog whose background you don't know, he may have unexpected reactions. If he has spent his life tied up or in a pen, or if he has been deprived of walking for a long time, he may get tired quickly and not follow the new rhythm he is given. The discovery of unfamiliar noises, objects and smells can disrupt his routine;

He is afraid of the outside world. If you have recently adopted your new companion, you do not yet know him well. A dog that has experienced a trauma with its former owner may remember the incident and this memory may terrorize him. But the animal may simply feel apprehensive about an unfamiliar environment. The hustle and bustle of cities, the bustle of crowds, the noise of cars can frighten him to the point of refusing to go for a walk. If your pet felt comfortable until now and his fear suddenly appeared, it is likely that an event that you did not pay attention to frightened him during the last walk (a detonation, contact with an aggressive animal...);

He is tired, feels pain. Walking your dog daily is an excellent habit for both the animal and its owner. However, it is necessary to take care to spare your companion in case of strong heat, for example, or if your hairball is old. A sudden change in his behaviour may be due to fatigue or pain. In this case, try to handle your dog gently to find out the cause of his suffering, or leave this task to your veterinarian

My dog doesn't want to go out: what solutions?

Walks must be done in a pleasant context. When taking the leash, collar or harness, take a dynamic and playful attitude. If you're in a hurry, it's raining, or you can't wait to get it over with before you leave, you risk communicating your lack of enthusiasm to your companion. In addition to motivating him with your enthusiasm, you will have to respond to his apprehension through various actions:

Consult a veterinarian. If your loulou shows signs of pain (limping, squeaking, vomiting....), you must have him checked by a veterinarian who will establish a diagnosis that will help solve the problem. If the refusal to go out is not related to a health problem, other avenues will have to be considered.

Desensitize him. The work of desensitization or habituation consists in gradually confronting the animal with the origin of the disturbance so that it understands that this element does not represent any danger for it. For example, there are videos and audio documents on the Internet or on CDs that reproduce various sounds: car traffic, thunder, gunshots, firecrackers... You will then have to subject your dog without rushing him to the stimulus that triggers his phobia and associate him with a positive response, such as a food reward;

Divert his attention:

With the help of treats. To encourage your dog to leave the house, take treats he likes with you. Your doggie will then focus more on what he eats than on what's around him. Rewards - to be given only when he makes the effort to move on - will motivate him to get out. When you're out for a walk and he gets stuck again,

 do it again. As he progresses, be sure to space out the treats until they are totally eliminated when he regains confidence.

With his cuddly toy or his favorite toy.

 As soon as you leave, let your dog hold a cuddly toy in his mouth. If he doesn't want to hold it, show it to him and take small steps forward to stimulate his desire to follow his favourite object. During the walk, don't hesitate to start a game so that he considers the walk as a moment of relaxation and fun.

Change his habits. 

One way to motivate your doggie is to get him out of his routine through new experiences. To do this, simply diversify the places where he goes for a walk so that he discovers new smells. 

You can also change the rhythm of the walks by favouring several short outings. If you think your dog's stops are due to fatigue, take breaks to allow him to recover. This way, he will no longer see walks as a grueling time;

Going out with friends. If your dog is sociable with other dogs, consider organizing walks with other dogs that are comfortable on walks.

 Your doggie will focus on the presence of his friends, feel reassured and realize that the outside is not as scary as he thought it would be.