AwesomeDogs Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 I’ve had Auburn (2 1/2) for 7 months now and she’s settled in really well – she’s clever, super-affectionate and very chilled, although she can be naughty, cheeky and stubborn – but I love that about her too! She’s occasionally statued on walks when I wouldn’t let her go the way SHE wanted to, but it wasn't a major issue… however, about 10 days ago she suddenly froze at the end of her morning walk after I wouldn’t let her eat dog puke off the ground (I told her to “leave it” and lured her away with a treat, I didn't drag her). She unfroze when I let her walk back in the direction of the puke but locked up again when I tried to head towards home again – it took us half an hour to go 200 yards! Since then, every single day she’s been slowing down and then stopping when we get near to the end of a walk. It doesn’t matter how long or short the walk is or what route we take, and seems to be worst on our local walk near home (which isn’t that exciting to be fair, but I don’t have any other option in the mornings). And it’s always when we’re a couple of minutes from the end of the walk. In the afternoons we drive to the local woods and fields, which are more interesting, and she’ll walk forever then, pulling ahead on the lead and sniffing and looking for squirrels… but she will put the brakes on again once we’re in sight of the car! Luckily I can get her moving with treats but I’m not sure why this has suddenly started after 7 months. She’s not scared of the car or anything at home, and she's always SUPER keen to go out and starts the walk well. I don’t think she has a corn as her pads look fine, she’s not limping and is happy to walk on the hard floors and patio at home, and on roads when we're somewhere more interesting. And we're in the UK so it's not hot here yet. I’m a bit mystified! Do you think she’s playing me because she doesn’t want the walk to end (like I said, she is rather strong-willed) or is there something else going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerseyGrey Posted March 24, 2021 Share Posted March 24, 2021 I find that with ours, it’s a bit like he has OCD and once he gets into a habit it becomes very difficult to break. And it’s amazing how quickly it becomes a habit. With stopping and staring, I find that shortening the lead and gentle persuasion with my thigh in the direction I want him to go in accompanied by excited, happy, ‘this way!’ or ‘come on!’ is often (but not always) successful, and sometimes I resort to physically lifting him and pointing him in the direction I want to go in. He is very stubborn when he wants to go in a particular direction but I’ve only seen him truly freeze/statue once. His body language was completely different and not even a treat could lure him on - the only thing that would budge him was moving away from the thing that made him freeze. You could also try walking her close to your thigh, as if to circle back on yourself, but just do a full circle and continue walking in the direction you want to go in. That might work. Good luck! Quote Buddy Molly 🌈 5/11/10-10/10/23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AwesomeDogs Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 Thank you, MerseyGrey. Unfortunately she's too heavy for me to lift but I will try the circling thing (and keep the treats handy too!). She's my third greyhound and is definitely the quirkiest… a real little character! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 I just wonder if she thinks "if I stop short of home or the car I get a treat." Can you tempt her to move by showing her the treat but not giving it to her before you get home or in the car? Or give her a second treat when she does get in the car and after a few times stop the one she gets when she stops short. Greyhounds seem to have written the book on quirks. Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AwesomeDogs Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 6 hours ago, HeyRunDog said: I just wonder if she thinks "if I stop short of home or the car I get a treat." Can you tempt her to move by showing her the treat but not giving it to her before you get home or in the car? Or give her a second treat when she does get in the car and after a few times stop the one she gets when she stops short. Greyhounds seem to have written the book on quirks. I'm sure she does! Food is her number one obsession - I've never known such a greedy hound! – and she's pretty smart. That's a good idea, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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