No more walks for Kia

[pitc9]

Phred asked already... but my first question was how is she walking on her own??

[ramanth]

She's always been like this. I could walk her solo, Andy could walk her solo and she just mopes along behind us. I see people out jogging with their dogs and have always envied that. Kia is more interested in stopping every few feet and smelling the enviroment then going for a walk. But I knew she needed her exercise so I'd make her take walks. She's just gotten worse this past year.

She'll be 9 in June so I'm wondering if her age does factor in.

I've tried taking different routes and she'll perk up for a minute or so, but then falls back behind again.

As far as the lead position, even when I just had Kia, she hardly ever walked in front of me. Mostly beside me, the rest of the time, lagging behind.

Now that we have Chipper, he loves to walk ahead and at first, Kia walked along side of him and I was thrilled, happy to see her perk up when taking a walk. Then over time, she started to fall back again into her old habits.

The only time she pulls is when we go to the dog park or to a dog event where there are dogs to interact with.

I get the leash out and Chipper comes bounding up to the door, but Kia just lays there and shows no interest.

Pat, that's a good idea about the paw pads... I'll check them.

The dog park will be open soon and with me working nights, I'll just plan to make more trips out there so she can get her exercise until I can get to the bottom of her apathy towards the walk.

I'll take Kia out solo a few times and see if it is a simple matter of jealousy.

[cyber-sibes]

The dog park will be open soon and with me working nights, I'll just plan to make more trips out there so she can get her exercise until I can get to the bottom of her apathy towards the walk.

The dogpark works well for us. that way whoever wants to run, can. Sherman usually walks around & around with me. Star mostly plays with the other dogs. Your park sounds so awesome, she may really enjoy that.

[ramanth]

Thanks Pat. Maybe the simple answer is that Kia is just getting to be an old lady and can't walk as far as she used too.

[Queen of Poop]

Sasha is 12 now, soon to be 13. Our walks have changed muchly over the last few years. She will still lead, but we stop at every and anything that might have been visited by another dog. And we walk much more slowly than before. But she still wants to go for walks and I don't mind taking my little old lady for them and going at her pace. I will be very sad when she can't go or won't go for a walk any more.

Maybe try a walk with just Kia and go at her pace and let her stop and sniff the roses. She might just like that.

[king2005]

Sounds like she finds the walk boring.

Also are you walking on a gravel path or cement or something? her pads just might be extra sensitive with age, so those hard surfaces might be hurting her... try walking on the grass only & see how that goes.. cause you did say she likes to run in the dog park. I know when I walk on the sidewalk barefoot, it hurts my shins.. but if I walk on the grass, I'm fine.

One thing you could try, is get one of those tethers where you hook both dogs together... That'll give most of the work to Chipper & she just might work hard enough to keep with him, if it looks like hes the one leading her.