Pug doesn't want to go outside

Has she had a thyroid panel done?

What's her weight? Bit chunky?

Is she on any joint supplements or such?

Anything change in the household...cold weather?

Are her vision and hearing both okay?

Vet hasn't suggested any special testing done, She's currently 20lbs, not on any joint supplements, temperature has been typical DC weather for the last 3 months, she was prescribed Optimmune for her eye in Dec and has been on it since.

20lbs? That sounds really...really heavy for any Toy breed. My Beagle who's 14" weighs 23 or so! I'd say her weight is just perhaps a factor...ETA: OKay looked up and had NO idea that breed weighed so much LOL. So strike the overweight UNLESS you cannot fee her ribs easily? I'd still suggest the thyroid panel tho....sudden lessening of activity can be related to that.

I'd suggest a thyroid panel...many times that contributes to weight issues and activity issues as well as skin and coat. Doing a full panel sent to Dr Dodds or MSU is really a good thing to do with any older dog. You can then have a baseline to judge from even if it's normal.

ETA: Is there an underlying/chronic issue with her eyes to warrant the meds?

Absolutely DITTO everything Gina says.  Particularly the breed-specific thyroid panel (which is BETTER than ***any*** typical lab thyroid report -- make this count!!)

When you have this type of behavior change there IS something up.  Sometimes you, the owner/guardian, have to go the EXTRA mile to find out what's up.  Frankly, I'd have some x-rays done to check the hips as well -- often vets won't suggest tests that may cost money ASSUMING you don't want to spend anything, so if nothing is "obvious" they don't probe. 

Seriously -- you might get a little wagon and let her walk part way, ride part way.  There may be hidden pain you just aren't picking up on.  A dog can get REALLY reluctant to go -- because they know you'll walk FURTHER than they *can* without pain.  So they just say 'no'. (or try to) --- With a wagon she can show you when she wants to 'ride'.  If you go to my photos with my profile you'll see my little peke (who has some mega arthritis issues which weren't found right away) has HER own wagon. 

She used to enjoy our walks (sometimes up to 3 miles a day) but recently she is protesting to even our shorter walks. 

When you say she USE to enjoy them, how long has it been since she stopped long walks?  Days? weeks? months? years?  20 pounds for your pugs weigh is an excellent weight.  The Pug is a short muzzled dog, and as with other similar breeds can suffer from respiratory and breathing problems. Pugs enjoy regular play and exercise, or regular walks.  However, because the breed is prone to respiratory and breathing problems it is important not to overdo it and involve him in activity and exercise that is over-strenuous.  Three mile walks for a 9 year old pug is to much to expect.  My 4 year old pug could not tolerate that, they are not dogs with stamina and they do not require exercise as such.  I would suggest you take her on short, methodical, enjoyable walks and not try and stretch her abilities and be cautious of the weather and her breathing during those times. 

My pug enjoys short games of catch and running around with her other family of dogs but she poops out quick at 4 years old.  I have also been told by my breeder and Vet not to overdue exercise and to be very cautious in extreme temps, hot and cold.  Personally, she sounds like a VERY NORMAL 9 year old pug.  Give her the pillow and let her be the Queens lap dog she was meant to be.

ETA: PS:  My pug, hates being outside too.  If the weather is bad, she is out and back in quickly if the weather is good she is OK for awhile and better if we are with her.  She is much happier being a "couch potato" (Pugs motto).

I really doubt this is normal. I've never seen a pug that wasn't grossly overweight, and the breed standard suggests 18 pounds as an upper limit. A nine-year-old small breed dog IS NOT OLD and should not act old. A three mile walk is nothing. Perhaps not in the heat, but in the winter? there's something wrong, medically, with your dog. Go pester your vet.

mudpuppy

I really doubt this is normal. I've never seen a pug that wasn't grossly overweight, and the breed standard suggests 18 pounds as an upper limit. A nine-year-old small breed dog IS NOT OLD and should not act old. A three mile walk is nothing. Perhaps not in the heat, but in the winter? there's something wrong, medically, with your dog. Go pester your vet.

I really doubt you understand the respiratory concerns MP,  given you popped on the dog site and read the breed overview in order to give you opinion.  This is not the typical "small breed" dog and I own this breed and have for years.  Given that the suggested weight is 18 for a female and 20 for a male.  I have a female at 22 and she isn't over weight, they do vary in size just like other dog breeds.  And 20 pounds does not seem excessive, but then again the owner should be able to tell or ask her Vet.  As for walks, yeah they handle long walks but don't LIKE THEM and yes winter is just as dangerous as the heat.  As for age, given their life expectancy is 12-15 years but the average life is 13.5 years I would say 9 years old is senior!  I am not saying you should rule out medical but I owning pugs over the years I can tell you this is NOT UNUSUAL for the breed.

"Because of their short noses, they are very sensitive to heat, humidity and cold. Pugs can die very quickly when exposed to extreme heat or cold so they cannot live outside or be left outside for any period of time "

I've never owned a pug. The pug in your picture looks grossly overweight, like all pugs I've ever met. Dogs should not act old at age nine, particularly small dogs. The only pug I've known very well is now twelve and still runs around like a puppy, and competes in agility- in the winter. The dog does not do well in the heat, and the owner does struggle to keep the dog at a proper weight.

mudpuppy

The pug in your picture looks grossly overweight...

Oh boy, look out.  For those that are not familiar with the Great Dane breed, they may call the dog grotesquely large.  Seeing the dog in-person is also different from observing from a picture even if the picture is scaled.  After living with the breed, I consider my dogs the norm in dog size and don't really see that much size difference between the GD and a lab.  But I would never ask a pug owner for advise about specific breed care requirements for a Great Dane.

Well, I've had people call my 7.5-pound, 9"-high papillon "really big" (compared to what, a mouse??), so.... personally, I listen to my vet and to people who are familiar with my breed and ignore the others. 

My dog very frequently doesn't want to go outside when it's cold, windy, or the ground is wet. Have you tried a sweater or booties? When was the last time your dog seemed eager to go on walks?

If I were you, I would probably push my vet to investigate further, but there is a possibility she's just being a picky princess and waiting until the weather gets better. 

 OFA stats indicate that an appalling 62.4% of pugs have hip dysplasia- it's very possible all of these exercise-intolerant pugs are in terrible pain. You might want to try an x-ray. Or at least give the dog joint supplements. And make sure the dog is thin. Being fat is well-known to exacerbate the pain of hip dysplasia. The AKC breed standard says pugs should weigh between 14 and 18 pounds; unless your pug is exceptionally tall, weighing 20 or 22 pounds should worry you. If your dog is supposed to weigh 18 pounds, but weighs 22 pounds, that's 20% overweight. Being fat has nothing to do with breed- non-fat dogs don't have visible rolls of fat, and you can feel ribs easily. Lots of vets never mention to the owners that the dogs could stand to lose weight because the owners don't listen or get offended.

That's funny MP obviously you know nothing about the breed or you wouldn't say all pugs are grossly overweight??????   They are built broad and stocky, geez........  The only thing you see in my picture is her chest, so that should tell you something.  I forgot you may not always be right you are NEVER WRONG.  So of course, what ever you say is right.

"The Pug has a square, thickset, stocky compact, body"

mudpuppy

 OFA stats indicate that an appalling 62.4% of pugs have hip dysplasia- it's very possible all of these exercise-intolerant pugs are in terrible pain. You might want to try an x-ray. Or at least give the dog joint supplements. And make sure the dog is thin. Being fat is well-known to exacerbate the pain of hip dysplasia. The AKC breed standard says pugs should weigh between 14 and 18 pounds; unless your pug is exceptionally tall, weighing 20 or 22 pounds should worry you. If your dog is supposed to weigh 18 pounds, but weighs 22 pounds, that's 20% overweight. Being fat has nothing to do with breed- non-fat dogs don't have visible rolls of fat, and you can feel ribs easily. Lots of vets never mention to the owners that the dogs could stand to lose weight because the owners don't listen or get offended.

I will go tell my Vet that you read the breed standard and that YOU said my dog is fat.  I am sure he will agree given where the information is coming from.

 I won't argue with you any more, say what you wish because no one knows anything but you. Let's see a picture of your so called dogs and see how wonderful they are.   bye bye

mudpuppy

The pug in your picture looks grossly overweight, like all pugs I've ever met.

Once again your tact and positive communication amaze me.

mudpuppy

The only pug I've known very well is now twelve

Only known one?

mudpuppy

owner does struggle to keep the dog at a proper weight.

Proper weight for agility could very well differ from proper weight of a housepet, just like hunting weight is different than lay around the house weight mind you I do not know much about pugs.