When Your Dog Won’t Go Home After Walk [7 Things To Do]

Dog Doesn't Wanna Go Home After Walk

Hey there, fellow dog lover! Have you ever experienced the frustration of your furry friend not wanting to go home after a walk? It’s one of the worst feelings, isn’t it? But don’t worry, we’re here to help you out.

In this article, we’ll explore six reasons why a dog might not want to go home after a walk, as well as seven possible solutions to this issue and other related concerns.

So, why might your dog be resisting going home after a walk?

Well, it could be due to a lack of exercise, the great outdoors being too much fun, fear of something, psychological issues, or even an injury. But don’t fret, there are several solutions to this problem.

Feeding your dog after walks, switching up your walking routes, practicing in-and-out games, meeting your dog’s exercise needs, and making returning home rewarding and exciting are just a few possible solutions.

By observing the exact cause of your dog’s behavior, you can help them become more easygoing and willing to head home after a walk. So, let’s dive in and explore this issue further, so you and your furry friend can enjoy your walks together without any stress or frustration.

Why your dog doesn’t wanna go home after walking sessions?

Most dogs walk just fine throughout the whole time, sniffing away and having so much enthusiasm. But the movement they realize that they’re on the way home, they just break and plant legs.

Kindly go through the following reasons and observe what your concern(s) is. Consequently, find out the solutions under the next subtitle.

1. Lack of exercise.

Even this seems obvious, this is one of the main reasons why this can happen. Chances are the dog isn’t getting enough exercise, and it has tons of excess energy in its body.

If the dog is tired out, he will be so happy to go inside and have some rest. That’s why most dogs sleep after walks.

Generally, the daily activity requirements are usually varied on age, breed, health status, personality, and many other minor factors.

However, one thing to note out though. When a puppy becomes an adolescent around 6 months mark, it will seek more exercise than it is used to, resulting in showing such behaviors down the line.

2. The dog finds outdoor is fun and exciting.

As a genetic inheritance, dogs would love to spend time outdoors and hang around with people, dogs, and other creatures.

Because when they roam outdoors, it gives them lots to see, lots to sniff, and have much more fun. Even I face a hard time breaking that enthusiasm.

But, providing enough exercises that can easily tire them out can make them less interested in hanging outdoors.

Here is why some dogs suddenly stop walking and won’t move anymore.

3. Due to fear of something.

If your dog doesn’t wanna go home after walks, the reason could be a fear of something, especially this can be seen among young puppies as they go through a fear period.

Perhaps, your dog accepts to go home with you. But he is terrified of something at a certain point, maybe due to something that happened in the past.

Dogs, especially puppies, can easily get terrified when people lawn the mown and other similar noises. Maybe carrying the dog for 5-6 feet until past that particular point will work. We will discuss more of this under solutions. Another good example is that puppies are frightened when other dogs bark.

4. The dog found something exciting.

Canines are extremely sensitive to nature. Perhaps your dog doesn’t wanna go home after walks because it found something really exciting.

Maybe he caught the scene of his old buddy, cat, squirrel, or any other small creature. Letting him sniff around and explore a bit might work.

Moreover, redirecting its attention is another way which we gonna discuss under solutions.

5. Due to psychological issues.

A dog may doesn’t wanna go home due to psychological issues like anxiety, stress, separation anxiety, and boredom.

This is a crystal clear indication that your dog isn’t getting sufficient exercise, mental stimulation, attention, and caring.

Therefore, the dog might be learned as a learned behavior that going home equals your leaving, making him stay all day alone. If this is the circumstance, the best solution is to let the dog feel that going home is much more fun and rewardable.

6. Injured!

Perhaps the dog is injured, and moving any further could torture him. Check its paws if there is a wound.

What can you do if the dog doesn’t wanna go home after walks?

Okay, now you know the possible reasons for this matter. Accordingly, I can suggest 7 solutions as follows.

1. Feed after walks.

This is one of the handy methods to give a shot, and it works like a charm!

Feeding after a walk gives your dog a good reason to return home after a walk. Make sure to put the food in its bowl prior to leaving, and the dog will be looked at you pretty much intently in the first place.

Let the dog actually see and smell the food bowl, then head over to walking. There is nothing cruel about it because the dog may not be so hungry.

Important: Do not allow your dog to eat as soon as you get home. Wait at least 30 minutes to decrease the chance of developing bloat. Moreover, feeding after walks is so beneficial for overweight. 

2. Make returning home fun and rewardable.

Your dog may doesn’t wanna go home after walks because the dog has learned that returning home means the end of the walk.

Therefore, letting him feel returning home much rewardable and full of enthusiasm is the best thing you can do.

Reward your dog with high-value dog treats and have little playtime every time he comes inside the house. Maybe warm belly rubs and having some cuddle time can encourage the dog to return home in the following days.

As every dog parent knows, canines fall in love with kongs and puzzle toys. Let him play whenever he comes back home after a walk.

3. Switch routes.

If you walk on the same road regularly, that becomes boring and predictable for your dog. Try switching up different walking routes because adding variations can make the walking session enjoyable.

Moreover, starting on the same route and choosing a different route when coming home will also work for dogs who don’t want to go home after a walk.

4. Practice in and out game.

Try spending some time practicing going out and in the house with your dog. No need to reward for going out as it’s already rewardable.

If the dog doesn’t like to go home after walks, going in should be rewardable and enjoyable.

Get the dog on a leash and go out and walk around for several minutes in the backyard. Then practice going in and offer high-value treats and play a bit. Rinse and repeat the process.

Ensure not to reward when you’re in the backyard. Otherwise, the dog won’t find any rewardable reason to walk in.

5. Run a little bit faster.

If your dog doesn’t like to go home after walks, perhaps he gets terrified at a certain point, as I mentioned earlier.

Therefore, the best thing to do in such a situation is to increase their enthusiasm by talking to him in a joy and playful manner, making the situation like you’re ready to play.

Then run in a little bit faster while making sure you aren’t dragging him over.

6. Have treats in your pocket.

Whenever your dog pulls breaks and doesn’t have much interest in returning home, present a high-value treat and say “come buddy,” and as soon as he stands up, let him eat a treat.

Likewise, use your verbal encouragement to get him moving with the help of high-value treats.

7. Provide enough exercise.

As I mentioned earlier, lack of exercise is one of the main reasons a dog doesn’t want to go home after walks whatsoever.

Lack of exercise means the dog has excess energy in its body. Observe whether your dog is still energetic and running around even after coming home.

Sometimes, they will show sometimes, they will show their disagreement by whining, barking, and attempting to chewing things.

Here are some of the significant signs that tell you don’t meet the dog’s exercise requirements.

  • Rough play whenever he gets a chance.
  • Restlessness.
  • Weight gain.
  • Excessive barking.
  • Destructive behavior.
  • Anxiety behavior.
  • Stress.
  • Destructiveness.

Discuss with your vet and come up with a better version of the exercise schedule for the dog. Of course, there are plenty of factors to consider when preparing a proper exercise schedule for a dog. That’s why you require professional help.

Things to be aware of.

Now you know why some dogs may not want to go home after a walk with possible approaches to solve that. However, there are certain important points you need to be aware of as a responsible owner.

Water bottle: Carry a water bottle with a small water bowl in order to keep the dog hydrated throughout the whole walking session.

Keep eyes on the dog: Keep your eye on the dog to make sure he doesn’t get exhausted. If the dog exhibits the symptoms of fatigued, stops the walk right away and return home. Make sure not to increase the walking time dramatically if you don’t know the full endurance of your dog.

Don’t punish or yell: If the dog refuses to return home, don’t aIf the dog refuses to return home, don’t attempt to yell at or punish. Instead, try positive reinforcement techniques, as we discussed through this article. Patience is much more appreciable. Additionally, don’t pull the leash.

Don’t skip regular vet checkups: Do not skip regular veterinary check-ups: If a dog suddenly refuses to move while walking, chances are he or she may be suffering from a health problem.

Conclusion.

Most dog owners are curious to know why some dogs suddenly don’t wanna go home after walks. Well, there might be 6 main reasons why this can happen, and we’ve discussed 7 possible solutions to work on. Hope this helps.

Cheers.

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