Hello,

My dog sometimes seems very unenthusiastic about doing any kind of work I wondered if anyone has any experience of this or any ideas why he does it? He might be fine for ages then just decide he doesn't want to go one day. Is he taking the mick out of me or does he just not like doing it alone, as he's fine with another dog? (He's had a Vet check and is in good health (he's 5yr old husky X mal).

When he decides to do this, he basically just stops and sits next to me at the start of going out, if I try to pull him he will roll over on his back and look at me doing the submissive thing. I usually just wait and eventually he gets up and carries on. Once we are away from the house, he will not do this at all and will be his usual hyper self, he will pull properly and seems to be enjoying himself.
He does it mainly if I'm bikejoring or running with him and very occasionally if he's just going for a walk on his collar, but only if we have gone straight from the house and he is on his own.
If I take him to a new place by car, or we have another dog with us he is fine.
(I have a horses and it's like something they do called 'napping' where the horse will try to go back to the yard at the beginning of the ride or be very slow, but once you are away from the other horses/'home' they get on with it).
Sorry for the weird analogy, but that's the only way I can think to describe it!

He seems like he enjoys running more with another dog. But unfortunately I don't have another dog that can do it. (I did try with my mum's lab, but whereas my dog runs ahead in a straight line, my mum's likes to drag us all into the path of oncoming cars! Not something I wish to repeat lol) Not sure whether I should just not run with him anymore or just push him through it till we get away from the house.

Not sure about anyone else's husky but I think that some just start slowing down a little as they age faster than others. My girl is 6 years and while I know she has fine stamina she often just doesn't want to run. She doesn't mind walking forever but she just doesn't feel like running and sometimes I will practically step on her during a walk because she will purposefully step in front of me to get me to walk instead of run. I get your analogy. I grew up with horses. Some days we just need motivation. I also get what you mean by the lab is frustrating to walk. My second dog is a german shepherd mix of some sort and he's terribly spastic on a walk whereas Kenzi will tow the line right down the path without problem. Do you do the same trail every day? Switching up trails every day or every other day, walking trails a different direction or stopping to do little training tricks ever so often can really spice up a walk for a dog and bring a little of their enthusiasm back. It could also be that some days he's just a little more stiff than others and just doesn't feel like the run. While still a young dog, dogs that get worked and run a lot sometimes need put on joint supplements earlier than others.

I don't have this problem with my husky but it has always been an issue with my akita. She doesn't expend energy on anything below a certain interest level. If I walked her around our neighborhood she'd probably start refusing to go on walks. It's boring. Same old stuff, same old cars, same old people... Now put them on a trail through a wooded area, along water, with fields, etc... and you will be digging your heels in to not end up flying down the path. My husky, Niji, is just learning hiking etiquette and commands so everywhere is interesting because it's all new still.

Hm... you may have a flat tire.

that picture is great lol that's him alright!
Thanks for the replies, given me some things to consider. I do tend to go the same way, because to get any where good you have to go on the road first. But thinking about it he is always fine if I go somewhere new, so I'll try to switch things up a bit.
He does seemed to get bored of things very quickly if he does it often.
He would love to go to a wood or something but I have a bit of a ridiculous car that I can't fit a bike or much in!
Going on hols with him soon though- I know he will be excited about everything there!

6chase wrote:

He would love to go to a wood or something but I have a bit of a ridiculous car that I can't fit a bike or much in!

I have a 5 Mustangs and my husband has 3 Camaros. Bike rack is the best thing ever invented. lol.

TwisterII wrote:

6chase wrote:

He would love to go to a wood or something but I have a bit of a ridiculous car that I can't fit a bike or much in!

I have a 5 Mustangs and my husband has 3 Camaros. Bike rack is the best thing ever invented. lol.

That is what I say...husband doesn't want to scratch the paint I want just one car that I don't have to
'be careful"...wash after use, has some room...