when did your yorkie begin to like walks? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Mee-sha · 07-05-2012, 07:36 PM

Hi everyone, my baby is now 8 months old and still HATES walks

, i try to make it fun with treats but she won't eat them. i put her harness on and walk her around the block everynight,i now put 2 leashes on her since the accident of her leash breaking lol. Anyways she walks so fast and pulls so hard she just wants to get around the block to get it over with, she even poops while walking sometimes.. she wants to get home that bad. won't stop to smell the sidewalk and grass or even look at other dogs who are out in thier yards etc.she also always wants to walk right in the middle of the road? not the side...its so odd... Any ideas of how to get her to like walks? will she ever like them? any one elses baby like this?

kjc · 07-05-2012, 07:47 PM

Is there a neighbor with another small dog that would be willing to walk with you and Meesha? I did this with mine and met alot of neighbors (who are now friends) and all our dogs are now more socialized. Not perfect, but alot better!

The dogs barked at each other for almost two weeks, and we kept switching positions, she would be in front for a while then us. Finally we got to where we could walk next to each other and even hold a conversation most the way, lol. But it was very well worth doing.

Or has she been through a basic obedience class yet?

Ahis_Mama · 07-05-2012, 07:51 PM

You could also try and carry her around the block and walk slowly and talk to her so she can look around and see the sights and sounds. (Do this for a week) She may get used to it and will be more comfortable when it's time for her to walk.

Maximo · 07-05-2012, 07:58 PM

Great suggestions. Change the routine in every way imaginable. Go to new places to walk. Do some trick training on your walks to focus her -- stop and ask her to sit, go down, shake hands, that sort of thing.

Use a 4' regular leash to train. No retractable or long leashes.

Does she like being outdoors in general?

Maybe she doesn't hate the walk, but sees it as a process/task that she wants to complete quickly, going around the block. That is why I think changing your walking routine will help. I know my guys need new experiences, new challenges constantly.

kjc · 07-05-2012, 09:02 PM

Also, sounds like she might be afraid of something. Did any dogs or kids come running out close to her or after her at any time?

Changing your route may help her...

Mom to Hot Rod · 07-05-2012, 11:52 PM

When mine were pups, they were afraid to walk outside. Hot Rod was petrified to walk in the dark. He would hear the occasional car go by and get so scared. Today 5 years later, he just heads out without any reservation.

Could the ground be hot for your little one? I know that mine have a hard time during the day with going out. I've actually started only taking them in the backyard due to this issue. We've been having 90+ degree weather for the past couple of weeks/month and I have black asphalt throughout my neighborhood.

Another thing that we have going on, we have a lot of wildlife here. We have foxes, rabbits and deer that I know come thru my yard at night as I fight the hoof prints in my gardens as well as their poop piles. My 2 are constantly smelling the ground and if the animals have been particulary active, my 2 seem to not want to go off our property. It's a chore to get them to even walk the length of our front yard on the road.

Milly_Munchkin · 07-06-2012, 12:28 AM

Ahhh I've got the same prob with my 14 week old little one. She constantly tries to run on the leash, pulls and doesn't seem to enjoy walking. She has also started to growl at strangers. I have tried to socialise her as much as possible since the day we got her 3 and a half weeks ago. She gets so distracted with people walking by that most of the time we are not walking just stationary! Also she is so eager to get home the further we go away from home she tries to turn back and run in that direction. I have tried treats, practicing on the harness indoors...Did anyone else have this prob and how did you solve it? Is this because she is still little?

Hulks_Mom · 07-06-2012, 05:17 AM

I posted about this a few weeks ago - my BF and I were having a really hard time getting Hulk to walk on the leash around the neighbourhood. He was fine when we took him on leash anywhere else, but in the neighbourhood he would stop and sit and not budge. He was also better when it was the two of us and not just one of us.

What we did - for a few weeks was keep the same route - just around the block. He went with me in the morning, my bf in the afternoon and both of us in the evening.

When he stopped and sat - we stopped. We'd give him a few minutes, I'd usually turn myself at an angle so he could see me partly, but I'd still be in the direction that we were walking. I'd look where we were going and generally ignore him. Most of the time, he'd start again. Sometimes a tiny (I mean tiny) tug on the leash would help him get going again.

Then he was more like what you describe - once he realized there was no going back, he'd try and charge through the walks, especially once he realized that we were going home. I just went along with it, because at least he was walking. In the meantime, we took him on his leash to other places....parks, to meet his friends, obedience class etc etc. But he would still get his three walks a day. Sometimes we'd change the route up a bit - go to the library, that kind of thing.

Now he seems to really enjoy the walks. He stops and sniffs so much that I'm almost getting impatient. He's still very young, so for me it was a case of patience and perseverence. Once he learned that the world and walks weren't so scary, he seemed to slow down and take it easy more.

Not sure if that helps, but it's what worked for us.

sophias mommy · 07-06-2012, 12:50 PM

We couldn't get Brody to walk at all on a leash when we first got him. He would just stand there. So we brought a toy out and would throw it a few feet ahead, to get him to run to it. Maybe this could help your situation too. By distracting her with a toy, maybe she'll learn to enjoy being outside and take her time on walks.

Milly_Munchkin · 07-06-2012, 12:53 PM

All great suggestions..I will definetely try..fingers crossed!

gracielove · 07-06-2012, 04:22 PM

Are the side walks totally cool when you take her out? I have had to cut out our evening walk for a few days since it is still quite hot out just before dark and the walks and pavement are still hot. Gracie would go anyway but I'm not comfortable with it. I saw her licking her paws after an evening walk and I'm concerned it hurt her feet.

Gracie has always loved her walks but we live in a quiet rural setting. It sounds like carrying her around for a while until she feels more secure might be a great idea.

littlemama7894 · 07-06-2012, 04:50 PM

My 16 week puppy does fine he was little scared at first but I just kept waling him and he loves it.

MamaZiggy · 07-07-2012, 06:35 AM

Hi. I don't know if anyone has suggested this, but you should also not let her run from the situation. If she tries to run saty there and when she calms down, praise and give treats. When I first started walking Ziggy he did not like turning corners, I would stay there until he worked it out, and praise and treat! Now he has no problem at all. He loves walks and will whine for a walk if our walk time passes. Hope things work out with your baby

walks are great for meeting new friends and bonding with your baby

luvlee · 07-07-2012, 12:08 PM

Lucy doesn't always like walks either. When she's not in the mood, she just lies herself down in the middle of the road. Sometimes after we start out a few paces, she pulls on her harness to return home. I could drop the leash and she'd just run back to my house and up the steps to the door.

Sometimes, I carry her away from my house a bit. Then I put her down and let her walk along side of me. I also bring some water - even a little walking can tire out and thirst small dogs.

I don't let Lucy to pull ahead of me before she's done her business. I keep her lead short and taut. She has to walk along side of me. I do think that a little of the Cesar Milan "Calm but Assertive" approach works with yorkies too.

I think your pup may be trying to walk you! You have to teach her to relax on her walk. That's a process which I'm not experienced enough to advise you about. Something is preventing your baby from enjoying her outdoor time. And she should enjoy it.

Maybe there are sights or sounds that are frightening. Maybe even some smells. I might try walking her in a totally different location. I sometimes drive Lucy to another block or a local park and then walk. That's worked for me.

Best wishes and good luck,

Tracey

dinkyweil · 07-07-2012, 07:44 PM

Let her spend some time outside with you just playing. It took a long time for Dinky, but we walk almost every single day, and eventually he caught on.

07-05-2012, 07:36 PM	#1
Mee-sha YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 438	when did your yorkie begin to like walks? Hi everyone, my baby is now 8 months old and still HATES walks, i try to make it fun with treats but she won't eat them. i put her harness on and walk her around the block everynight,i now put 2 leashes on her since the accident of her leash breaking lol. Anyways she walks so fast and pulls so hard she just wants to get around the block to get it over with, she even poops while walking sometimes.. she wants to get home that bad. won't stop to smell the sidewalk and grass or even look at other dogs who are out in thier yards etc.she also always wants to walk right in the middle of the road? not the side...its so odd... Any ideas of how to get her to like walks? will she ever like them? any one elses baby like this?

07-05-2012, 07:47 PM	#2
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	Is there a neighbor with another small dog that would be willing to walk with you and Meesha? I did this with mine and met alot of neighbors (who are now friends) and all our dogs are now more socialized. Not perfect, but alot better! The dogs barked at each other for almost two weeks, and we kept switching positions, she would be in front for a while then us. Finally we got to where we could walk next to each other and even hold a conversation most the way, lol. But it was very well worth doing. Or has she been through a basic obedience class yet? __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 07-05-2012 at 07:50 PM.

07-05-2012, 07:51 PM	#3
Ahis_Mama Living In Paradise! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ewa Beach on the island of Oahu Posts: 3,588	You could also try and carry her around the block and walk slowly and talk to her so she can look around and see the sights and sounds. (Do this for a week) She may get used to it and will be more comfortable when it's time for her to walk. __________________ Aloha & Have a wonderful day! Roni~ Ahi Shibi Roxie Heart Alize & Prada

07-05-2012, 07:58 PM	#4
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	Great suggestions. Change the routine in every way imaginable. Go to new places to walk. Do some trick training on your walks to focus her -- stop and ask her to sit, go down, shake hands, that sort of thing. Use a 4' regular leash to train. No retractable or long leashes. Does she like being outdoors in general? Maybe she doesn't hate the walk, but sees it as a process/task that she wants to complete quickly, going around the block. That is why I think changing your walking routine will help. I know my guys need new experiences, new challenges constantly. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

07-05-2012, 09:02 PM	#5
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	Also, sounds like she might be afraid of something. Did any dogs or kids come running out close to her or after her at any time? Changing your route may help her... __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

07-05-2012, 11:52 PM	#6
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	When mine were pups, they were afraid to walk outside. Hot Rod was petrified to walk in the dark. He would hear the occasional car go by and get so scared. Today 5 years later, he just heads out without any reservation. Could the ground be hot for your little one? I know that mine have a hard time during the day with going out. I've actually started only taking them in the backyard due to this issue. We've been having 90+ degree weather for the past couple of weeks/month and I have black asphalt throughout my neighborhood. Another thing that we have going on, we have a lot of wildlife here. We have foxes, rabbits and deer that I know come thru my yard at night as I fight the hoof prints in my gardens as well as their poop piles. My 2 are constantly smelling the ground and if the animals have been particulary active, my 2 seem to not want to go off our property. It's a chore to get them to even walk the length of our front yard on the road. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10 Last edited by Mom to Hot Rod; 07-05-2012 at 11:56 PM.

07-06-2012, 12:28 AM	#7
Milly_Munchkin Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 37	Ahhh I've got the same prob with my 14 week old little one. She constantly tries to run on the leash, pulls and doesn't seem to enjoy walking. She has also started to growl at strangers. I have tried to socialise her as much as possible since the day we got her 3 and a half weeks ago. She gets so distracted with people walking by that most of the time we are not walking just stationary! Also she is so eager to get home the further we go away from home she tries to turn back and run in that direction. I have tried treats, practicing on the harness indoors...Did anyone else have this prob and how did you solve it? Is this because she is still little?

07-06-2012, 05:17 AM	#8
Hulks_Mom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 26	I posted about this a few weeks ago - my BF and I were having a really hard time getting Hulk to walk on the leash around the neighbourhood. He was fine when we took him on leash anywhere else, but in the neighbourhood he would stop and sit and not budge. He was also better when it was the two of us and not just one of us. What we did - for a few weeks was keep the same route - just around the block. He went with me in the morning, my bf in the afternoon and both of us in the evening. When he stopped and sat - we stopped. We'd give him a few minutes, I'd usually turn myself at an angle so he could see me partly, but I'd still be in the direction that we were walking. I'd look where we were going and generally ignore him. Most of the time, he'd start again. Sometimes a tiny (I mean tiny) tug on the leash would help him get going again. Then he was more like what you describe - once he realized there was no going back, he'd try and charge through the walks, especially once he realized that we were going home. I just went along with it, because at least he was walking. In the meantime, we took him on his leash to other places....parks, to meet his friends, obedience class etc etc. But he would still get his three walks a day. Sometimes we'd change the route up a bit - go to the library, that kind of thing. Now he seems to really enjoy the walks. He stops and sniffs so much that I'm almost getting impatient. He's still very young, so for me it was a case of patience and perseverence. Once he learned that the world and walks weren't so scary, he seemed to slow down and take it easy more. Not sure if that helps, but it's what worked for us.

07-06-2012, 12:50 PM	#9
sophias mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 3,609	We couldn't get Brody to walk at all on a leash when we first got him. He would just stand there. So we brought a toy out and would throw it a few feet ahead, to get him to run to it. Maybe this could help your situation too. By distracting her with a toy, maybe she'll learn to enjoy being outside and take her time on walks. __________________ Sarah Sophia & Brody

07-06-2012, 12:53 PM	#10
Milly_Munchkin Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London, UK Posts: 37	All great suggestions..I will definetely try..fingers crossed! __________________ ~~Proud Mum of Milly Munchkin~~Nemo~~

07-06-2012, 04:22 PM	#11
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	Are the side walks totally cool when you take her out? I have had to cut out our evening walk for a few days since it is still quite hot out just before dark and the walks and pavement are still hot. Gracie would go anyway but I'm not comfortable with it. I saw her licking her paws after an evening walk and I'm concerned it hurt her feet. Gracie has always loved her walks but we live in a quiet rural setting. It sounds like carrying her around for a while until she feels more secure might be a great idea.

07-06-2012, 04:50 PM	#12
littlemama7894 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 2	My 16 week puppy does fine he was little scared at first but I just kept waling him and he loves it.

07-07-2012, 06:35 AM	#13
MamaZiggy YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 1,637	Hi. I don't know if anyone has suggested this, but you should also not let her run from the situation. If she tries to run saty there and when she calms down, praise and give treats. When I first started walking Ziggy he did not like turning corners, I would stay there until he worked it out, and praise and treat! Now he has no problem at all. He loves walks and will whine for a walk if our walk time passes. Hope things work out with your baby walks are great for meeting new friends and bonding with your baby __________________ Xolani mommy to Ziggy and Toby The two loves of my life

07-07-2012, 12:08 PM	#14
luvlee YT Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: secaucus, nj Posts: 483	Lucy doesn't always like walks either. When she's not in the mood, she just lies herself down in the middle of the road. Sometimes after we start out a few paces, she pulls on her harness to return home. I could drop the leash and she'd just run back to my house and up the steps to the door. Sometimes, I carry her away from my house a bit. Then I put her down and let her walk along side of me. I also bring some water - even a little walking can tire out and thirst small dogs. I don't let Lucy to pull ahead of me before she's done her business. I keep her lead short and taut. She has to walk along side of me. I do think that a little of the Cesar Milan "Calm but Assertive" approach works with yorkies too. I think your pup may be trying to walk you! You have to teach her to relax on her walk. That's a process which I'm not experienced enough to advise you about. Something is preventing your baby from enjoying her outdoor time. And she should enjoy it. Maybe there are sights or sounds that are frightening. Maybe even some smells. I might try walking her in a totally different location. I sometimes drive Lucy to another block or a local park and then walk. That's worked for me. Best wishes and good luck, Tracey

07-07-2012, 07:44 PM	#15
dinkyweil YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Nebo, NC Posts: 479	Let her spend some time outside with you just playing. It took a long time for Dinky, but we walk almost every single day, and eventually he caught on.