New dog and exercise

[PBK]

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Hi, recently adopted a two year old male golden retriever. He loves being in the back garden, would spend all day out there but he only seems to want to go out for walks for 15-20 minutes. I’m thinking this is maybe because he’s in a new area and he’s still unsure of it? Any advice gratefully received, thanks.

 

[JoanneF]

It could be because of something like that, or possibly he has only been accustomed to short walks, or maybe something else entirely.

My suggestion would be that for now, you let him turn for home whenever he wants to. That does a couple of things - it builds his confidence because he knows he won't be faced with something he can't cope with. The other thing, even more importantly, is that it shows him that you are listening to him. That will really help him learn to trust you, so that when you do ask him for something he is unsure of, it will be okay.

 

[JudyN]

Also, see how he feels about walking in different directions - does he want to walk further in quiet areas, and/or natural landscapes rather than pavements? What about walks you get to in the car (if applicable)? Yo might learn whether there's something in particular that bothers him, such as traffic noise.