Dog Owner Turns To Interwebs For Advice On Why The Doggo Is Behaving Stubbornly On Walks

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kalila courban
Jul 6, 2023 11:00 AM EDT

Hey doggo lovers. Doggos sure can be stubborn, eh? When it comes to your canine friend's peculiar behavior on walks, the internet has spoken! Join us as we dive into the insightful comments from experienced dog owners who share their thoughts and advice on this puzzling situation. It all started with a concerned dog owner seeking answers to why their energetic golden lab suddenly freezes and refuses to continue on longer walks. Is it a sign of aging or perhaps the scorching summer heat? The online community came to the rescue, offering a variety of perspectives and valuable suggestions.

From tales of dogs sitting down when they're hot to the importance of protecting their sensitive paw pads from the scorching pavement, fellow dog lovers chimed in with helpful tips. Some suggested considering potential medical conditions, such as hip dysplasia, while others emphasized the need to prioritize your dog's comfort and well-being.

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/Rasta-Grandpa 13 hours ago Why is my dog suddenly becoming stubborn on walks? 2
    via u/Rasta-Grandpa
  • 02
    Font - My dog is just 4 years old, a golden lab with usually a lot of energy. He loves being outside and going to the park, but if I want to take him on a long route that is usually a 30-60min walk, he will stop at some point, and will freeze looking at me in the eyes and no amount of force will move him. My parents say he is getting old but I also think maybe because it's summer and it's becoming hot outside? He is my first dog and I would appreciate anyone's experience with this
    via u/Rasta-Grandpa
  • 03
    Font - calmbythewater. name: Small Breed Mutt Are his feet hot? Body hot? Needs a drink? Bored? 13 hr. ago
    via calmbythewater
  • 04
    Font - LiquidC001 - 6 hr. ago Also, if it's pretty hot outside, make sure to check how hot black tops are with the back of your hand or palm. If it's too hot for you, then it's for sure too hot for your Pup's paws.
    via LiquidC001
  • 05
    Font - Altruistic_Range2815 · 13 hr. ago I wish I had seen more posts about this last year when my dog started doing this, but it seems like this might be normal for some dogs in the heat! Mine will only walk in the early morning and late evening, and after about 20-30 minutes, she refuses to walk until we head back to the house. Then she starts happily trotting along, tail wagging.
    via Altruistic_Range2815
  • 06
    Font - Stellabean_2021 11 hr. ago edited 9 hr. ago This, exactly lol. To elaborate, she's a two year old Swissy - super energetic. Went from five miles daily in the winter/spring, to maybe three miles the past few weeks. We usually head to a park and just do whatever she wants exercise-wise. You can get evaporative cooling vests - that might help if you want to continue longer walks.
    via Stellabean_2021
  • 07
    Font - ThymeIsNeeded. 12 hr. ago Without knowing any other information, I'm voting for heat as the cause. It is a cumulative effect. I've taken to giving mine some nice, cool, max A/C, windows down, slow car rides to see and to smell at leisure without overheating.
    via ThymeIsNeeded
  • 08
    Font - Jazzlike-Map-4114 13 hr. ago My dog gets bored going the same way every time. I have about 4 routes we take. I used to dictate which way we went but at this point if he's adamant he doesn't want to go a certain way, I let him pick. He is a tracking dog, and his nose is very important to him. Sniffing things out is mental exercise, and just as important as physical exercise, so if he wants to sniff out a certain area, I let him, because sleep is important to me.
    via Jazzlike-Map-4114
  • 09
    Font - puffleg 13 hr. ago . Maybe it's because he's more used to going in the other, shorter direction? Or is there something on another route that he really likes? Could be that he's getting hot or tired. As frustrating as this can be sometimes, I remind myself that my walks are really for my dog more than me, and she can choose where we go. My dog is a menace and will put the breaks on if I try to take her in a direction with a lower likelihood of rabbit sightings. She knows where all of them
    via puffleg
  • 10
    Font - Low Barometer - 12 hr. ago . Mine does this when he's hot. He just sits down and stares at me. As soon as we turn back for home his tail wags and his energy returns.
    via LowBarometer
  • 11
    Rectangle - Mor_Tearach 12 hr. ago . One of ours mutinies. He's hilarious. Just stops, gives you the side eye and says "Nope". Nothing wrong with him. He'll happily trot off elsewhere so that's what we do.
    via Mor_Tearach
  • 12
    Font - AdDefiant8365 - 10 hr. ago I would definitely rule out any medical conditions by getting him seen by a vet first off since you say it's suddenly happened. Second, when a dog slows down it's not usually just due to old age, there's generally some pain or something else wrong that they can't tell you about so always be aware of any & all sudden changes in your dog & get them checked out @ the vet. Third, he might be too hot & need water or keep in mind where you're walking him bc the pads o
    via AdDefiant8365

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wholesome dogs thread stubborn dog health walks pet-wellness doggos doggo Reddit
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