Whenever I get the collar and lead and say "walk" Albert either runs to his crate, "hides" in corner or just plain runs away! He then gives in graciously as if he's doing me the biggest favour in the world. Such strange behaviour as he loves his walks, swims and ball time, yet you'd think he was off to the doggy dentist every time! Once the lead is on he waits very calmly and then happily gets into the car. Such a funny pup. With my previous Lab he only had to hear "walk" or "lead" and he was jumping around and barking like mad. Any one else got one like Albert? Jan
Re: Walkies! Yes, Charlie is like this. I have a theory that he finds "walking attachments" - collars, leads, harnesses - punishing but has learned to put up with them so he gets his walks. He doesn't like them, that's for sure. There was an article on this that I posted a while back...I'll see whether I can find it. He prefers a slip lead, and no fixed collar. I think slip leads are the work of the devil (I exaggerate but I'm not keen) - he's recently been allowed to walk on a limited slip lead, which he likes very much.
Re: Walkies! Simba is a bit like this too. He is excited to go for walks, but he is not always cooperative about the whole thing. I think he's a bit wary of being shoved outside and left, I get the feeling that happened quite a bit at his previous home.
Re: Walkies! Ah, here it is - there are quite a few things in this that people might not accept or agree with, but it's an interesting take on it all the same: https://kaylaurence.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/lead-off-good-lead-on-bad/
Re: Walkies! I am pleased to learn that other people go through the same pre walk rigmarole as me. When I have shut off all avenues of escape she goes and sits on the stairs so I can put her harness on.
Re: Walkies! Inca seems to treat having her collar put on as one big game. At first I thought it was her avoiding having it put on as she will go and hide or try and roll on the floor but the minute you step away she starts jumping about excitedly in the same way she does before a game of fetch and follows you until you try again. Strange dog!
Re: Walkies! In the days when many used check chains, my Collie X Springer was most upset when I took it off, so much so that we buried her wearing it. Dogs should look on leads and collars as something pleasurable as it is the precursor to a walk
Re: Walkies! I've been lucky so far. Riley knows his collar means a walk and that's an escape from the tedium of watching me sitting in front of a black box tapping away at it ;D
Re: Walkies! Charlie dislikes his collar and hates his harness. He loves his walks though. But he'll still try to scratch his collar off on a tree from time to time - not often these days, but he definitely doesn't like it at all.
Re: Walkies! I wonder why he doesn't like it, do you have any ideas? Mine don't wear theirs in the house, so it isn't a case of getting used to it, but they never seem to have any trouble or try and scratch or rub it. Have you tried different collars?
Re: Walkies! It doesn't matter what style of collar or harness I use. I think it's simple - he doesn't like collars, leads or harnesses. He knows what a walk is, he knows what a collar and lead is - he seems able to enjoy his walks while wishing he didn't have to have a collar and lead or harness on.
Re: Walkies! Lucky here too, collar coming off the hook means yeah walk, yeah, yeah, yeah ;D Hattie & Charlie always sit to have their collars put on, but Charlie isn't so keen on the harness but doesn't mind the Cozy Dog one : xx
Re: Walkies! Mine too, the sight of collars and leads heralds walks = pleasure beyond anything else in the lives , except maybe food
Re: Walkies! The reaction I get depends on the weather. If it's tipping down Lady puts the reverse gear into action! ;D
Re: Walkies! Ha Ha! I'm so glad I've not got the only Lab in the world who runs off at the sight of them. I'm with Julie T here. I think Albert just doesn't like the collar, harness and lead scenario. He absolutely knows what a walk is and how much he likes it, but would probably prefer to do it without all the paraphernalia he has to wear. Having said that he sits very calmly when he eventually gives in, and never tries to get any of it off! I do remove the harness when he swims and when I have an empty beach so I don't have to hold on to him! And interestingly he (almost) always comes back to the whistle and lets me put them back on to go home! Jan
