advice needed - dog refusing to come home on walks!

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hannah87

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Ok, so my dog (nearly 2 year old JRT x chihuawa (sp?) ). I walk him everyday with my brother in laws 2 spainiels (we house share). Our back garden gate opens out onto a HUGE hill/fields perfect for doggie walking and I walk them all on it every week day - weekends we often take them out somewhere else. THe spaniels are very well behaved and never run off and their recall is pretty good.

Louis (my dog) recall has always been fairly good until there is something more interesting - a rabbit/puppy/scent but he never goes far and does follow me and other dogs well. However he has started this very irritating habit of when we turn for home (even on a round trip walk) of slowing down/slying off/putting more and more distance between me and other dogs and I have to keep recalling him to me to ensure he stays with us. Once we are near home he plants and will not recall and quite often slinks off - say to the top of the field, so he can see us but well far enough away that we all have to hike back up to get him. Part of me think sits his way of prolonging the walk?!

So far Iv tried: Ignoring him and going in home - first time I did this he came flying back at the speed of lightening and looked worried Id left him, this worked a few more times and now doesnt. He just sits there (even in the pouring rain, and he HATES being cold/wet).

Iv tried positive reinforcement, treats etc but I dont think this helps in the slightest as he is in effect being rewarded for not coming back and me fetching him! ALso tried telling him off, but dont think this is the answer.

I have resorted to putting him on a lead or making him walk to heel for the last bit of the walk to break the habit, and today tried him without. He sat on the top of the hill for 20 mins in the peeing rain and wind shivering his arse off because I refused to walk back up and "make" him come in home. I know the lead is the obvious answer but its not a solution and I cant understand why he is doing it. He is walked and exercied well enough, gets on fine with the other dogs. He doesnt do it on the weekend walks when we go somewhere knew however, but then he wouldnt know when we are nearing the car.

ANY advice well appreciated.
 
What a monkey, def taking the pee! Honestly, I think you're now into a battle of wills and if he were mine I would probably just leave him there and if he chooses to stay out in the wind and rain for 20 mins, 30 mins, an hour then so be it. Today you said he sat for 20 mins, did you have to go and get him or did he come back of his own accord eventually? Maybe you could try a longline before you start heading for home, that way he still has some freedom but ultimately has to come with you.
 
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Sounds like walking and the end of the walk has just become a big stressy fest.
I'd vary your route and location, take the pressure off him and have fun with him until he is knackered, make the end of the walk a much more positive experience.

"He doesnt do it on the weekend walks when we go somewhere new" is the key point there.
I do not think he is 'taking the pee' just feels under pressure to go back to someone that is exuding stressy vibes.
 
My Mum's rescue dog did this at first. Instead of offering him treats give them to the spaniels: ignore him and give the spaniels loads of fuss and treats at the end of the walk. If he appears then just say hi and include him in the fuss, no big reaction, if not then go inside after a few minutes and let him worry, then call him in and if he comes give him fuss and treats but no mention of bad behaviour, if not then go in again and wait a few minutes, repeat as necessary!

You could also try showing him a yummy bone before you leave the house then giving it to him as soon as you return, I'm sure it wouldn't take long for him to realise he has something to get back for!
 
Thanks guys:
FattyBoomboom; nope I caved in and went and got him, I got fed up of standing waiting for him in the rain!

Cavecanem; I dont get stressy with him most of the time though, although I admit I have done a few times, but quickly realised that is not the answer as I said in OP. I do agree that the End of The Walk has become more and more of a feat though. Maybe I am giving off stressy vibes without meaning too, but I love walking the dogs and its a happy fun time for all of us. The get a good walk/run every day and he seems pretty knackered after them - but maybe it is due to him wanting/needing more exercise? Although the spaniels are quite happy on the routine and they need ALOT of exercise compared to most breeds!

I realise i can just stick him on a lead on the way home but reluctant to as he is good to recall the rest of the time and dont want to spoil his fun, especially with other too bounding around. My gut feeling is on weekend walks he doesnt know where home is and therefore when we are near to ending the walk. I cant take them elsewhere during the week on my own so stuck with the hilll, but trust me its a humongous hill and we go different ways each time, I still get lost on it after 6 months!

Im looking for a reason behind his behaviour as hes obviously not happy with something :-(
 
Brownmare: I give the other two lots of attention when we go back, also running and chasing with them (louis fave game) and he still sits from afar watching. Good idea regarding treats for them though, I only tried offering them to Louis as a reward when we got home but letting him see them getting them sounds a good idea - although cant see us from where he plants quite often.

My friend said to treat him as I would a napping horse, and wait it out each time so he sees he doesnt gain anything by doing it but Im concerned he may "see" this as prolonging his walk and therefore has "won"!
 
hannah87 said:
My friend said to treat him as I would a napping horse, and wait it out each time so he sees he doesnt gain anything by doing it but Im concerned he may "see" this as prolonging his walk and therefore has "won"!
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I think that is good advice and, although I can see your point, if he hates being cold and wet he hasn't won anything worthwhile has he? :rolleyes:

Thinking of this from another angle, is there anything in the house itself that he doesn't like or that has changed? (even a new electrical device that hums on standby etc) Does he seem happy and relaxed in the house, and are you happy and relaxed in the house too? Do the other dogs guard a doorway or intimidate him in other ways? What happens if you go up the hill on your own with him? And how long are your walks with him?
 
I will really try to be a carefree and non-stressy as poss and see if that helps. Perhaps acting like I couldnt give a sod if he comes in or not may help (!)

They are all walked for around an hour on a weekday, longer at weekends. They charge around the hills like loonies and its a very steep hill - plus I throw balls for them on the way round. I think its sufficient, I know im knackerd afterwards!

The only thing that has changed that I can think is the weather (bare with me). He is a complete wimp and hates being cold and during the day they all live in the conservatory with access to the garden, they come in the house at night. He wears a coat as its cold and has a little house thing that only he can fit in which is cosy and I know he is perfectly warm, but he hates it. They dont come in during the day as the spaniels are wet and the garden is muddy - so on an evening they are cleaned and dried and let in. Louis whines and is miffed that he is not in the house now its colder but its tough tbh!

Possibly he doesnt want to return to that trecherous, awful conservatory with the other smelly wet dogs?! Maybe Im reading into it abit much!
 
hannah87 said:
Possibly he doesnt want to return to that trecherous, awful conservatory with the other smelly wet dogs?! Maybe Im reading into it abit much!
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Aw bless :rolleyes: I have a seriously wimpy whippet so I feel your pain! Do the dogs have to have free access to the garden during the day or could you just let them out at intervals for toileting? And is there any reason he couldn't come in the house and leave the spaniels in the conservatory? I know Jack Russells are hard cases but chis are not built for outdoor living! Maybe a heat pad in his bed or a fleecy jumper would make him more comfortable?
 
He gets a hot water bottle in his "house" on very cold days and which has a warm blanket in, which is located in the conservatory and he wears a thick weatherbeata jacket! He is not left to get cold. No he cant come in whilst they are out, it makes the others jealous and tbh its not fair. He is perfectly fine out there during the day. If its really awful we shut the door and just let them out at intervals but mostly they have free access (unless we are all out). And he comes inside the house as soon as its dark. Hmm !
 
In that case I think you need to call his bluff (one day when he happens to have no coat on for his walk ;) ) and just go in and leave him, if all other suggestions have failed. Good luck and I look forward to updates :)
 
I agree with CC he is becoming to familair with the route, I would be chopping and changing the routes, and doing some complete walks on the lead and some on and off lead and give a juicy treat whenever his lead goes on, cheese/chicken/hot dog, I would also introduce a whistle with his recall.
 
It doesn't sound like he is trying to "win" anything, especially since he is fine on other walks and plants himself despite the weather that he dislikes.
There are two seperate dogs I used to walk and on the same route every time - got 5 minutes before the gate and every time their recall went out the window while they messed about and burnt off the remaining energy. That was taking the bloody pee! I'd stand and they'd eventually come back when they realised that it was the end, and that's that.
So I'd definitely try and change your route if possible, to break the pattern
 
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