Guest greyhound_in_LA Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Since Monday evening, Coe has decided that walks are very undesirable. We start on a walk, then halfway up the path, he statues or turns his head toward home then statues. Neither my husband nor I want to pitch a battle. I do believe Tuesday evening we completed our loop, but this morning and evening, both walks failed to launch after Coe did his potty and pee. Nothing wrong with his feet or paws. His gait is normal. It's not hot in the early morning or at dusk. This is the same walk schedule we've had since we got him -- two walks per day, 30 minutes each. Sometimes we don't do the same loop; we switch it up with a walk down a different street with different sights and smells. I don't know what is going on. Health is normal, poops are normal, eating is normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 We had the same problem with our newest grey, about two weeks into getting him. He walked fine at first, then started refusing. We still don't know what happened, whether he saw something that frightened him, or he was just comfortable enough with us to start testing us. We were patient, used treats, and now and then if I felt he really needed the exercise (he was restless and wouldn't settle down at home), I would force the issue a little more and get him to go. I did try to do the same walk until I felt he was more comfortable. He is still not really excited about walks, unlike our first dog, who loved to explore. He is definitely happier if we both walk him, rather than one of us staying home., and our first grey was the same. Are you both going on the walks with him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullysmum Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 It sounds to me like the honeymoon is over! Dogs in a new environment often go through a phase that can last a few weeks or even a few months where they seem to be completely biddable and almost too well behaved, Ethologists call this "frozen watchfulness"..... It basically means that they keep a low profile and find out the lie of the land. Then, when they start to come out of their shells you see a difference in their behaviour. He might just be "testing" you to see if you are really in charge, or there may be something that is making him fearful when he is going on his walks, you really need to pay attention to his body language to see what it is telling you. I would suggest taking some tasty treats with you and when he starts to want to turn for home see if you can play some games like luring him in circles and rewarding him with treats it can sometimes just break the mindset that they get into. I know that others will chime in with plenty of good advice Quote <p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound_in_LA Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Nothing scary on the walks. Coe usually starts to protest once he does his potty business. It's like suddenly he "thinks" the walk is done now whereas before we did our entire loop no matter when he pooped. I'm sure he's testing our boundaries, and I just don't want to force the walk at this point if it's not going to be enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scullysmum Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Okay, so if nothing scary is happening then I suppose your mission (should you choose to accept it ) would be to show him that walks are a fun thing rather than just functional. Do you have any dog owning friends/neighbours who you could walk with so that their dogs can give him some idea what it's all about? Quote <p>"One day I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am"Sadi's Pet Pages Sadi's Greyhound Data PageMulder1/9/95-21/3/04 Scully1/9/95-16/2/05Sadi 7/4/99 - 23/6/13 CroftviewRGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound_in_LA Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I could try, but Coe is not warming up to other dogs so far. He used to love walks because he'd spend half the walk getting to smell all kinds of scents and marking up bushes and trees. I'm not sure what this strike is all about. I examined his paws again, and nothing. When we came home from school pickup, Coe was super bouncy and jumpy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Houston1219 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 When Houston decided that walks were old news to get his extra-lazy butt moving again I would put him in the car (he loves rides!) and drive a mile to a small downtown area and we would walk there. Doesn't have to be an exciting place like in town, but if he likes rides, hop in the car, drive 5 minutes, and get out and walk lol totally new experience! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound_in_LA Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I'll try it tomorrow! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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