Tips To Help Stop Your Dog From Sitting Down On Walks
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Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
UPDATED: Dec 8, 2023
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 8, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Some dogs just love walking on a leash and getting some exercise and fresh air.
Sometimes, your dog will be tired, bored or just not up for the walk, so he might sit (or even lie) down and not get up.
The problem is that once your dog starts sitting down on his or her walks, it could become the new normal.
And if this does happen, you need to correct the behavior right away.
Why Does My Dog Refuse to Walk?
Below are some reasons why your dog stops walking and won’t move:
1) Your dog is bored of the same walks
While dogs love their routine, your dog simply could be bored and is sitting down in protest!
Taking the same walk at the same pace every time you go out can make the routine too familiar.
… especially if they are older, like 3, 4, or 5 years old and have been walking the same route for years!
Try mixing it up and take your dog on different routes, walking at varying paces and introducing some unpredictability.
Pick up into a jog for a few blocks if your dog is starting to sit down. Surprise your pup!
2) Get off your phone and focus on your dog!
If you are busy texting or chatting on the phone, your dog will notice and might sit in protest.
If your dog feels like he isn’t getting the attention he deserves, he’s smart enough to find a way to get it.
And sitting down will do that!
Keep your focus on your dog throughout your walks by talking to him, engaging him with toys and stopping periodically to give commands and praise.
3) Bring treats on your walks for good behavior
This trick works well at any age, but especially if you start your dog off early like as a 1 or 2 year old puppy.
Take some treats along with you when walking your dog. However, use them sparingly.
Dogs are smart and will quickly learn to manipulate you if you give them the chance.
Don’t offer the dog treats in order to encourage them to get up when they are sitting.
If you do, you will find that your dog will never get up unless you give him a treat.
Only give out treats when your dog is walking the way you want him to and not sitting down.
Reward good behavior!
4) Dogs can remember traumatic events and get nervous
Your dog might be sitting down on his walk because something unpleasant happened to him.
It could be as simple as a dog scaring him or car on his daily walk.
Or if your dog is approached by a big mean dog on a certain street, he might sit down before getting there.
If this is the case either change your course or avoid that particular street.
5) Make sure your dog knows that you are steering the walk
When walking your dog, be confident, firm, and strident in your steps. Dogs are very adept at reading our body language.
If you carry yourself in a weak or submissive way, your dog will pick up on that and get the idea that he is the boss.
When your dog sits down, use a confident, commanding voice to tell your dog to get up.
There should be no question in your mind about whether your dog will get up.
You know he will because you told him to and you are moving onward.
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In Conclusion
If your dog has just started sitting on his or her walks, take your dog to your vet to examine your dog’s legs and hips and to assess if your dog is the correct weight.
One reason that some dogs sit down during walks is that they are in pain from something such as:
- Knee problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Obesity
- Arthritis
If there is a problem, follow your vet’s recommendations regarding treatment.
If there isn’t a problem, then you can go forward with training, knowing that you are not hurting your dog and the issue is behavioral.
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We hope you enjoyed this article about dog training techniques. You should consider looking into pet insurance for your pet and you can start by checking out the best rates for dog and puppy insurance.
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Tips To Help Stop Your Dog From Sitting Down On Walks
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The content is written by Dr. Stephanie Flansburg-Cruz, a licensed veterinarian, and reviewed by Tracey L. Wells, a licensed insurance agent and agency owner.
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Pet insurance helps cover veterinary expenses, ensuring your pet receives necessary medical care without causing financial strain. It’s a valuable resource for pet owners.
How can I address my dog sitting down during walks?
There are several tips to address this behavior, including varying your walking routine, staying focused on your dog, using treats for good behavior, addressing potential traumatic events, and ensuring you lead confidently during walks.
What if my dog continues to sit during walks despite trying these tips?
If the behavior persists, it’s advisable to consult with a veterinarian. It could indicate an underlying health issue, and the vet can provide guidance on whether there’s a medical concern or if further behavioral training is needed.
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To find the best rates, enter your ZIP code to compare quotes from top companies. It’s recommended to explore different insurance providers and their coverage options to get the most cost-effective plan for your pet.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Tracey L. Wells
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...
Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.