8 mnth old, running back to car

[Clover]

Any help would be much appreciated. Also, if you've experienced it.  Willow, 8 months, was going pretty well off lead, but the past couple of times has just took herself off heading back to the car.

1st instance -  when we were about 5 mins from car, with ample time to get her on lead again,she  just starts walking faster, quick glance behind, but no reaction to calling her name, changing direction, last resort, knelt down on floor, making noises to try and make her want to come back to investigate.

2nd instance - 10 mins into walk, look round she's heading back the route we had just come, call, looks at me as if to say "you go walking, but I'm going back to the car" try various things to try and change her mind, but no, she's not having any of it. 

Its as if she doesn't want to go walkies.  She does attend clicker training classes.

Thanks

[emilyjw]

Does she like playing with a ball or a tug rope. Maybe turn walking into a game. We do this with ours and when it's time to head back when they return with the ball we will lead them up then.

Maybe don't let her off her lead when the car is still in site (not sure if this is what you are currently doing).

[Clover]

The car was well out of site on  both occasions, but the 2nd occasion we were 2 small fields away from the car. I never dreamt she would do an about turn, because she had her two terrier friends with us that we meet up with. 

She really isnt that interested with fetch games.

I'm at a loss, this morning (the 2nd occasion) it was only 7.30 so it was nice and cool, friends in tow, she loves water so she had just had a paddle, and then off she went.  Couldn't have asked for a more ideal walk for her to come on.

I guess its back to lead walks, which, two weeks ago, we had just mastered no pulling on lead, it took 5 months, but better late than never, I had just contemplated getting a sporn harness and it suddenly clicked with her.  I was delighted, guess you can't have the best of both worlds at this age.

[Sarah.H]

We had a similar problem with Charlie running back to the entrance to the field, obviously a huge worry as he could have got through to the road. We think it may have been because we often met neighbours with their dogs at the entrance, so he was hoping to see them, but other times it was almost as if he was following the scent trail we had left  .  On the way out we made sure we had his attention and played with him (he loves tuggy games), on the way back we would put him on the lead earlier. We also used to give him a piece of ham or chicken in the hope that he'd be focused on us at the end of the walk.

[Alpha]

I wish I had that problem especially with all the adverse weather recently
But have you tried doing a circular walk in case she is scent tracing back. Unfortunately cockers are a very intelligent breed and that may only work a few times.

[Clover]

Trouble is, because it was at the beginning of the walk this morning, you cannot forsee that she's going to about turn. We were going on a circular walk.

 It really does knock your confidence, I wouldn't have caught her this morning if I hadn't got treats with me and I was throwing them towards her when she looked at me.  So was able to grab her.  Thanks.

[emilyjw]

Tis is a tricky one. Can you walk her to somewhere for a walk rather than taking the car? Not sure if that would help though. Do you always walk in the same place? Might be worth trying somewhere else to see if she does the same thing?

[Cazzie]

Sweepie runs back to the car, infact she doesnt even like coming out of the car sometimes. I could leave her in there with the doors open and she would not come out  She even one day tried to jump in my window but it was shut 

[silke]

She even one day tried to jump in my window but it was shut

   Shouldn't laugh really!

[Clover]

That brings back memories of my old working girl, she was so used to running out the house and jumping into the boot that when my hubby had reversed the car in, she ran out and jumped on the bonnet !!

Going back to Wiilow, will try going somewhere else, its just difficult to find areas that are safe, and with no livestock for her to go off lead.  We go on many varied walks on lead.  I've suggested to hubby that he comes with us, and waits at the car as a safety net. 

[PennyB]

She really isnt that interested with fetch games.

Sometimes they need to be encouraged to --- mine would never play ball games but now they love them more than anything. I also play games out and about where they have to find things as well (you have to sound over-the-top enthusiastic to get them going though so the games become as exiting as you sound)

[Vivienne]

We have exactly the same problem if its a bit dewey on the grass after his pooh and pee Whistler goes and sits by the car!
If its nice and sunny he is as good as gold, he will not walk for my OH either always heads back to the car with him
I have tried sneaking him back on the lead early but it does not work, plus if I call and he is scenting he plays deaf!! Its a man thing I am sure one thing only in his brain, acan't carry two thoughts

Viv

[bluegirl]

Could you keep her on her lead as you walk away from the car and until she's passed her 10 min area, then let her off the lead but keep using recall and praise or recall and treats to keep her attention with you.
Or try doing the walk in the opposite direction, then well before the last 5 mins before end of walk put her back on lead just incase she decides to bolt.

[Top Barks]

There is a common misconception that all dogs want to and must go for a walk.
My father in law had a bitch that did not want to go for a walk with us. It was never let off lead by him and never learned to have fun whilst out. As soon as you turned for home it was off like a train.
I think this little dog was also very attached to him and did not like being separated from him and her home environment.

I wonder if something has happened on her walk to upset her.
I would work on building her confidence and your control at home by doing lots of clicker stuff and just generally hand feeding.
Dogs make all sorts of associations with stuff and develop the weirdest hangups.
Have you tried walking without the car journey?
Walk in a different place?
Has this just developed or been happening a while?
I would keep control with a long line.
Do you interact with your dog on walks with games, toys etc or do you just walk?
Is your dog moving ok?
Is it possible that some sort of underlying injury maybe making the walk an uncomfortable experience?

[AnnieG]

I had exactly the same problem with Millie who was a rescue dog.  I finally realized that even though walks were not distressing her, the car was simply her favourite place because she feels secure in it.  It took a while to crack it but we eventually did it by using something she loves even more than the car ...  food!  We have a special call and voice for getting her to come back for a treat (rather embarrassingly it's "come - noshers" in a squeaky voice with arms going like windmills).    Now, when we turn for home, we initially call her back about once every 500 yards and crank up the frequency the nearer we get to the car.  She now stops at about 100 yard intervals and waits to be called back.  We put her on the lead when the car comes into clear view and treat her at the same time so she doesn't avoid the last call.  Don't know if it's proper dog theory but it works.  We just have to make sure we deduct the treats from her daily ration, otherwise she'd be like a balloon by now.