Hello i have an English Bull puppy who is refusing to go out for a walk. He is 14 weeks old and full of energy as expected, but when i take him outside for a walk especially at night refuses point blank to go any further than the front gate. What can be done to encourage him. We took him for a walk on sunday with our daughter who was in her pram, and when the pram was going he would walk fine, but as soon as we stopped pushing the pushchair he would stop too and refuse to walk until we started again with the pram. I know bullies are stubborn as my mum has one at her house and i have grown up with them, but i need to rectify this before he gets much older.
Thanks

Think he is scared, did you carry him about when he was waiting for his injections to work? If not you will have to start with him as if he was still 8 weeks old, take it very slow down to the gate and back a few times a day, if you have a car take him somewere quiet and see if he will walk there, if not get him out and stand by the car, if he relaxes a bit try to walk round the car and so on getting a bit further away each day. And when you go home stop a few feet from home get him out and walk from there, lots of praise if he moves. Take him to some sort of dog classes, he does not have to join in sit with him on your lap or between your feet let people talk to him, take it slowley. When you can, take him with the pram he finds comfort in that, if he has a dog friend see if you can arrange to walk with the other dog. Sure you get the idea, he'll get there in the end but it will take some time. Ja:)kie

I had this problem yesterday trying to take our pup out for the first time. We took him out with our other dog, but he just screamed and pulled until I thought he would hurt himself. I took him back indoors to calm down and let my hubby take the other dog as usual. Once the pup was calm, I took him into the garden and stood there until he started sniffing about and then moved to the gate. Each time he came to me I praise him and we slowly made our way around the block. We had to stop and wait while he watched people pass and I had to give him plenty of encouragement, but we made it in just over half an hour for what should have been a five minute walk :) My theory was that he needed to feel that he was safe with me and that nothing bad would happen, dragging him about would have been a waste of time. Today the same trip took 20 mins and he even wagged at a passer-by. Patience is a virtue :D
Joan

You also need to be aware that your puppy does not need very much on the way of walks etc at this very young age. He might actually be tired which is making him not want to walk.

Pam n the boys

Thanks for the speedy replies. He has been a couple of times before around the block no problems seen people, other dogs and walked really well. But i suppose its just a matter of patience and time . We'll get there in the end..

Thanks Matt & Milo the bull terrier :) :)

It has been my experiance that pups sometimes go through a scared stage sometime between 12 & 16 weeks. Ja:)kie

Hi,
One of my Bull Terrier puppies was just the same. It is just a matter of time and patience, you will feel you are not getting anywhere for ages and then one day it just gets better.
Try taking the puppy out with an older calmer dog. And give plenty of praise and treats for good behaviour, Bull terriers think with their stomachs!!
Good Luck
Sharon
Bullywood Bull Terriers