does the slow plodding walk at conformation class and my teacher says it's because shes bored and not having fun and trying to tell me that. While we are at class I will play more and take off with a skip or short run to get her excited about the go around. Then make it more fun with the squeaker... We are silly cause she's really too young to be serious. Major at 7 months does his down and back like a champ. We are in the Mid-West and I was desperate for a warm interactive place to walk the puppies. I just screwed up my nerve an started taking them to a small local mall. I figured someone would kick me out but instead we get mobbed by people and kids and the puppies get lots of interaction. Two weeks ago we had to put my Dad in the nursing home. He missed seeing the 4 legged kids everyday so I asked if we could bring the dogs it and the staff said they'd love it. Now everyone hangs out at Dads room or in his hall waiting for us to stop by in the afternoons. We only take one dog at a time and the people know them all by name... Call your local nursing home and ask... It's great for shy puppies and now Katie runs up and down the hall on her leash. Most importantly... they are still very young. Enjoy them!

I echo the other posters about taking your dog out. Not sure how much you can since you live in a cold climate, but I would take them outside to as many different places as possible. They likely are just plain bored walking around the same interior area with no other interesting or stimulating things around them. If I find my dogs balking at training, then I quit the immediate exercise and change it up completely. Get them out of the rut and find some new and interesting places to go. Oftentimes, just a change in venue translates into a change in training attitude. And so it doesn't become a rote exercise, I mix things up and do specific exercises in a different order so they don't anticipate what I'm going to ask.

And I do lots of socializing. I've taken my pups to parks and let them play with the kids there; I take them inside stores that will allow it. We have a Bass Proshop within driving distance that allows dogs inside. It's a great place for socializing. Once inside the store, the dogs always get lots of attention from people, they get to climb the big stairs, ride on the elevator, watch the fish in the big tank, and hang out around the shooting gallery, which is great because of all of the weird noises that come from it. I takes treats with me and in the midst of all of this I get them walking and learning to pay attention to me around distractions. I do the same at outdoor shopping centers (I do live in So. California, so I realize this isn't available to everyone because of weather.) If I have to run a quick errand, I'll throw them in the truck and let them enjoy the ride. I take them to friends' and relatives' homes for visits, too, even overnight stays.

Sometimes it's difficult to do, but I try hard to keep my dogs stimulated and interested in their environment (not just the house or backyard), which helps make them happier dogs, which makes training easier and fun. Enrichment makes for happier dogs, and I'm all for happy dogs!

Hope that helps. Good luck with your pups!

I don't have a Petco or pet store here, but I do have a Tractor Supply which may let me walk them around, I will check into that. Thank you so much for the idea. I have tried all kinds of treats, it works maybe once, so yesterday I got this little cat toy that's a bird that chirps and I hope that will get their attention and make them walk better. I appreciate your ideas, and I will let you know our progress. Thank you again

Thank you Chris, but I guess I did not know they would let me take them inside the airport. That's a good idea. It's so frustrating when you have worked with alot of dogs and not had a problem like this one. I will try your idea and going to Petco, etc. Thank you so much

i take my dogs to the airport all of the time... the over head speakers, people rushing in and out, chaos....... gets them used to the nonsense that goes on in eveyday life and not quite as germie as a pet store...... best of luck Judy!

Chris.....

Do you have a petco or a pet store you can take them to, I take my pups all the time and they just love it they can check out all the goodies and they get alot of attention when they are on there leads.
Also this might sound funny but it worked for my girl, she refused to walk on the lead nothing worked intill she dicovered Mcdonalds fries she loved them so I would stand in front of her with a fry and run backwards with a little tention on the lead so she would follow me did not take long for her to get it just give alot of praise as she is moving. hope this helps a litte keep us updtaed.