Dog Community

walk-crazy?

Posted : 5/7/2006 8:33:39 PM

whenever my dog comes into the house, she immediately positions herself at the front door. when someone comes near, she begins whining and wagging her tail. this morning when she saw me, she nudged me and followed me around excitedly as i went to get her leash. at first i thought she was just going to do her business outside, but she didn't -- and all she wanted to do was go for a walk. she's usually very lazy and calm, but once she's out (which happens once or twice a day), she

ulls on her leash and wants to go everywhere! do you think she's looking for her previous foster owner (because when she's out, she seems like she's whining and looking for something)?

anyway, i just don't want her staying at the front door all the time because a lot of people pass that way and she might accidentally get hit, especially when the door opens and closes. but she always sits and lies down there despite my calling her to the kitchen or trying to give her some dog toys to play with. when i bring her to another part of the house, she simply goes back there. how do i stop this from developing into a habit?

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/7/2006 10:43:56 PM

It could be that she just really enjoys her walks. Does she get much exercise? How long have you had her, how old, what breed?

mondayblues

Posted : 5/8/2006 2:23:30 AM

she's a four or five-year-old mixed breed, and she's a little bit smaller than a beagle. i've only had her for a week and was advised not to bring her out too long as she was still adjusting. but she gets walked in the morning and at night for less than half an hour each time. should i already lengthen her exercise time?

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/8/2006 10:16:47 AM

Well Ive read that you have to give a dog at least two weeks to become the slightest bit cozy in a new home. They are pretty unsure of whats going on and need some time to see that they are there to stay, and that you love them. I would give it another week or so and I would try increasing the exercise after that. Since you just got her I dont think having her by the door right now is going to form a problem for you long term, she just doesnt know what to do right now. It seems like thats how a stray might act as soon as you got it inside. What your doing sounds fine, or at least I dont have better suggestion, maybe someone else has more experience, but I say giver her some time, them some more activity if she still seems to need it, and she will come around. You will be able to tell when she getting used to your home, her personality will come through. Good Luck!

glenmar

Posted : 5/8/2006 10:26:30 AM

Well, ok, it sounds to ME like this gal is really NEEDING to get out more. I've placed a whole heap of fosters and never have I told new families to limit the outside time. It sounds to me like she feels far more comfortable outside than INside at this point.

Baby gates are wonderful creations for keeping dogs away from places we don't want them.

mondayblues

Posted : 5/8/2006 7:20:08 PM

my house has sliding doors that keep her from wandering to the front door and keep her in the kitchen/family room, so i'll start using them.

i took her out for around 30-45 minutes yesterday and she was ok after that. but this morning when i brought her out to go to the bathroom, she kept whining and pulling in the direction of a busy road beside my village (which she always does when she goes out). i didn't let her go there of course (she had gotten hit by a car in the past, which was why she had been given to the shelter in the first place), but she was so insistent that i wasn't able to bring her around the smaller streets we walk in. then she just followed me into the house.

ron2

Posted : 5/27/2006 9:54:36 AM

An exercised dog is a happy dog. There are various harnesses to stop pulling, but definitely keep up the walking, or even playing in the yard.

spiritdogs

Posted : 5/27/2006 4:31:07 PM

If you use an Easy Walk Harness ([linkhttp://www.premierpet.com]www.premierpet.com[/link]), your walks will be easier and more enjoyable, with less pulling, and you can keep her out longer.