Walk, Sniff, Tug, Repeat....

[Sweet Apple]

I walk Apple every morning and evening for about 30 minutes...She doesn't pull ahead and try to run, but she wants to take 10 steps, then sniff sniff, pick up every leaf, twig, pebble and I give a short tug, and we walk a little further, and it goes on and on...I want the walk to be about constant exercise for her (cardio, etc.)...I'm o.k., because I do the treadmill each morning...Is there anything I can do to encourage her to just get w/the program? If she sees a bird, person or another dog, she's more than willing to get going, other than that she just wants to lolly-gag...I don't want her walk to be an unpleasant experience, so I don't make a big deal out of it, but I do tire of the walk, sniff, tug, and repeat, twice each day

[Nico29]

Chase does the exact same thing! Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Lula-Mae Famous]

Same here...

I just make kissy noises followed by an excited "good girl" when i want her to move and praise her when she is walking at a consistant pace.
Seem to help a bit. when she hears kisses she knows its time to move on.

Im trying to make Potty Time completly seperate from her walks so when we go out to potty I just stand in one spot until she goes. Its uninterupted sniff time.

[Chrisann]

Hi. Well this is funny cause Dustie has started doing a similar thing...He was walking very well a few weeks ago..but now he sniffs along a few paces..then stops..sits down and won't budge...I have to go back to him..encourage him on and we go again a few paces..and then it all gets repeated...I can't seem to get him to walk consistently..just go..stop..sit all the time...

Chrisann.x

[JoeyP]

You're allowing your pups to set the pace of the walk

You have to be the leader and they must walk when you want them to walk

Take your pups out for a nice walk
and I mean a walk ... where you have them walk next to you at a nice brisk pace
You walk with them and say Come on .... or Hurry up ... or good boy
as you go
don't stop for distractions and you stop when and where YOU want to stop
if they pull you turn once and say Come On and then you start again
Do Not let them stop you

[Izzy Princess]

OK if any of you use a clicker then teaching them to walk and not get distracted at so many things would work.

First you need to teach the touch command which is holding out your hand and as soon as your doggie touches your hand you click and say touch then treat. Trust me they get this very quickly.

OK now for using the "touch" command for walking. It's hard in a way because our doggies are so little, but it is doable.

As you walk briskly stop every so often and lower your hand to their face and say touch..they will touch..you click and treat and then use a release word such as "OK" and keep on moving. Do this for a while and they catch on very quickly because they are getting treated!!

It only took Cosmo 2-3 times to learn the touch command and then once around the block to get going at a faster clip with the touch command while walking.

Good luck!

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

I walk Apple every morning and evening for about 30 minutes...She doesn't pull ahead and try to run, but she wants to take 10 steps, then sniff sniff, pick up every leaf, twig, pebble and I give a short tug, and we walk a little further, and it goes on and on...I want the walk to be about constant exercise for her (cardio, etc.)...I'm o.k., because I do the treadmill each morning...Is there anything I can do to encourage her to just get w/the program? If she sees a bird, person or another dog, she's more than willing to get going, other than that she just wants to lolly-gag...I don't want her walk to be an unpleasant experience, so I don't make a big deal out of it, but I do tire of the walk, sniff, tug, and repeat, twice each day

Do the opposite.... teach her go sniff and the more you send her away and allow a behaviour the less fun it is and the more she will come to you.

Plus she needs to explore her world see whos been around pee up trees and talk to other dogs in that manner.. it just talk.. pee tree left side oh that that dog and the one over her is the dog i hate got to pee on that.. it is dog talk and dogs should be allowed to do that.

then exersie what about fetch instead.
what about dog agility.
what about teaching heel i nthe proper form and then she will understand what you need but remeber to let her go sniff to talk to other dogs and see who been peeing around the hood.

JL

[Sweet Apple]

but remeber to let her go sniff to talk to other dogs and see who been peeing around the hood.

LOLOL....I love that!!! Actually, and I'll probably get ripped for this one...Apple is in heat, and she REALLY does want to see who's been peein' around the hood! She's like a little boy dog...She wants to stop at every mailbox, light pole, and tree, and it's funny how she will leave her "calling card" at certain places lol...But people, pul'eeze don't worry about her getting bred, as I, rarely, rarely, rarely, see a loose dog in our neighborhood, and I'm packin' heat (pepper spray), just in case ...When she is "ready", I won't be walking her that week, and I've been very fortunate, that we've had rain almost everyday, since she started ummm, spotting...I do appreciate all the info, 'though...She's really not doing that bad w/the walks, but it has been a bit of a challenge, here lately....

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

but remeber to let her go sniff to talk to other dogs and see who been peeing around the hood.

LOLOL....I love that!!! Actually, and I'll probably get ripped for this one...Apple is in heat, and she REALLY does want to see who's been peein' around the hood! She's like a little boy dog...She wants to stop at every mailbox, light pole, and tree, and it's funny how she will leave her "calling card" at certain places lol...But people, pul'eeze don't worry about her getting bred, as I, rarely, rarely, rarely, see a loose dog in our neighborhood, and I'm packin' heat (pepper spray), just in case ...When she is "ready", I won't be walking her that week, and I've been very fortunate, that we've had rain almost everyday, since she started ummm, spotting...I do appreciate all the info, 'though...She's really not doing that bad w/the walks, but it has been a bit of a challenge, here lately....

Challenging is good! It means the brain is working and thinking and trying to understand the world and just how to makei t work to their advantage.
So life is easier.
Put it to work that brain and it sure is fun to see them bloom.

JL