My 19 month old Sheltie, Lady, in the last couple weeks hasn't wanted to go on her daily walk around our neighborhood anymore. We on average for the last couple months have walked 4-5 days a week, for about 30 minutes. She needs the exercise as she is overweight, and honestly, it's not bad for me to get it either. The last few times I have tried to take her though, she will get a little ways down the road, then stop and sit and refuse to move. She will turn and look back at the house and want to head back. The one day I did get her to go around when we started off the walk in the opposite direction around the neighborhood. That too, she now doesn't want anything to do with. She has started to slow down during the day, like she still plays, but overall lies down and sleeps more, just in general slowing down in her activity as she gets older, though she's not old. I want her to be more active as she needs to be. She walked just on a regular leash, and did fine, but I am wondering if maybe I should try a Gentle Leader thinking it may be better for her if she starts pulling? She has had a couple issues with walks. We stop everytime a car goes by, as she likes to herd them. Also, maybe a month or so ago, a dog got out of it's front yard (even though they had a sign up stating they had an invisible fence?) and ran right out into the street (almost getting hit, the owner ran right behind it) over to her, which I know scared her, even though the dog was smaller than her (pug). This same dog in question does back and forth laps in it's front yard whenever it's out and always barks nonstop when we walk by. I don't know what to do, she needs activity. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help!
19 month old won't go for walks anymore
- Thread starter Amy340
- Start date
trini
Forums Sage
I second Eva's suggestion on getting her thyroid levels checked. At her age she should not be slowing down like this. I would really recommend a vet visit to make sure this is not something physical...have hips checked too...pain will also show up with the same symptoms of slowing down and not wanting to walk.
Trini
Caro
Moderator
I agree, get the thyroid checked and hips and elbows checked first. My male was around 2 years old and doing the same thing - people kept telling me to force him to walk. So you can imagine how bad I felt when I found out he had arthritis and was in pain.
sable
Forums Enthusiast
I fourth the thyroid, I think I am #4. The board taught me so much about
it, I had my Lil' Lady checked. Yep she sure did have the problem. Hopefully
I don't jinx her, but she is doing fine now.
it, I had my Lil' Lady checked. Yep she sure did have the problem. Hopefully
I don't jinx her, but she is doing fine now.
Silaria
Forums Sage
Fifth say definitely get the thyroid levels checked; you want a T3 and T4 panel run. Just like in humans if the thyroid is off it can lead to weight gain, lethargy, fur loss, 'off' temperament (they can get really grumpy - at least mine do) and other issues.
I know its not as convenient as walking around the block but do you have a park nearby you can drive to and walk around the park? Is this something you can do in the evenings or once or twice a week to change the scenery of the walk?
If not, can you walk on the opposite side of the street from the Pug? It's possible she's bothered by the uncontrolled fence chasing dog. (It is possible the Pug could be associating the correction from the Invisible Fence with any dog that walks by making it more inclined to scare away any dog that comes near.)