Dogs should actually go out for a walk and let off steam as often as possible! But it can happen that dogs suddenly don't want to go outside and actually resist going for a walk. Dog owners are often left with a mystery. Why doesn't your four-legged friend want to go out anymore, when he's actually so keen on it? We'll give you advice on what to do if your dog doesn't want to go for a walk.
There are actually a number of reasons why dogs don't want to go outside anymore. Here we list the most common causes and possible solutions to the problem.
Content: Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - possible causes
- Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - Bad experiences for the dog
- It is too hot for the dog to go for a walk
- It is too cold and too wet for the dog
- Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - Diseases in dogs
- Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - afraid of the dark
- Can dogs get bored from going for walks?
- Walking puppies
Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - Bad experiences for the dog
It is possible that the dog does not want to go out after a bad experience. There can be many reasons for this. Think about whether something happened in the past that the dog did not like or whether basic circumstances have changed. It is often not so easy to recognize what the dog does not like.
It is too hot for the dog to go for a walk
Dogs don't sweat to regulate their body temperature. Instead, they pant. Combined with a thick coat, this can be quite exhausting when temperatures rise in the summer. It's completely understandable that some dogs don't want to go out. So plan your walks around the hottest time of the day. That's probably better for you too. Maybe you can also choose a route that takes you past a river or lake. Drinking is also extremely important for dogs and shouldn't be neglected. With enough breaks or when the temperature is milder, your four-legged friend might enjoy going out again.
Give your dog enjoyment with our chews!
It is too cold and too wet for the dog
Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - Diseases in dogs
Dog doesn't want to go for a walk - afraid of the dark
If dogs don't want to go outside at night, they're not necessarily afraid, but they're clearly uncomfortable with the dark. One possible problem could be that your furry friend simply can't see as well anymore. Dogs already have much worse eyesight than humans, and if they have poor eyesight or even an eye disease, they'll practically walk around blind in the dark. To take away the dog's fear, it can help to keep the leash short and thus give the dog a sense of closeness. And of course light helps too. So if it's possible to walk on lit paths, that would certainly be a help. But to be on the safe side, it's advisable to have a vet check for possible eye disease.
Can dogs get bored from going for walks?
It is probably rare that dogs don't want to go for walks anymore. But it can happen, namely if you walk the same route over and over again. Or because the dog doesn't enjoy going outside. Dog owners who drag their dog behind them more than walking them spring to mind. It is important that the dog enjoys being outside. But you will surely think of how you can surprise your four-legged friend on new walks. New routes, new acquaintances with other dogs or a bit of fun and games in between will liven up the walks and will certainly ensure that your dog enjoys going outside again.
Walking puppies
It should be clear that the little puppies cannot run that much. But if puppies do not want to go outside, there may be an instinctive reason for this. It is innate in them not to run too far from their safe home. So if they notice that it is going too far for them, they refuse to go any further or do not leave the house at all. This is perfectly fine, after all, puppies should not be overwhelmed. After the first few months, they stop this behavior and increase their radius.
Puppies that don't want to go outside should be treated with care. You can carry the little dog for the first few steps into the new world and then let him walk again at a distance from his familiar surroundings. It is important to reward him and a little distraction in the form of toys can't hurt either.
Conclusion
There can be a number of completely different reasons why dogs don't want to go for a walk anymore. However, such a change in behavior is usually announced in advance. It is fundamentally important that dog owners always keep a close eye on their loyal four-legged friend and learn to recognize when he is feeling bad. This way, reactions such as refusing to go for a walk can be better understood and avoided.