My new puppy is stubborn and won't walk outside. What can I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Wheaten Terrier | Female | unspayed | 12.2 lbs
I brought my puppy home 5 days ago. She is 12 weeks old and 12.1 pounds. Every time we take her out of the house, she is so stubborn that we have to pick her up and take her out. When she is outside. Either she will just lie down and not get up in the shade, not move, or sit in front of me. On every walk she won’t leave the driveway, and every few seconds lies down and refuses to move . On today’s walk. We only passed 1 house and she wouldn’t go. This is our first family pet ever.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 7th, 2018
If your new addition is otherwise feeling well (eating well, interacting and playing with you) she may be a shy puppy and/or adjusting to her new home. Some puppies are more confident than others and it can take some time for them to figure out their place in the new house. If you got her from a breeder you could certainly contact the breeder to ask about her personality previously with her littermates. The breeder will likely know if she was one of the more timid puppies. As most dogs are food motivated using treats can be really helpful. Or if she has particular toys she loves these can be used as well. Basically it's important to make her home a positive and not scary environment for her right now. For example if you get her to leave the house on her own show her praise and give her treats so that she knows this was a good behavior. It can take some time for some puppies to develop confidence. The other really important thing for puppies is a consistent routine as far as when they are fed, when they go outside, etc. Dogs are very smart and will learn a routine quickly and gain confidence in it. The other option is that she may not be feeling very well and that may be why she's reluctant to do some activities. It would not be normal for a puppy to just want to sleep all the time as they should have more energy then an adult dog. This would be even more concerning if you feel like she is not eating well. If any of these seem to be the issue, or just to ease your mind that what you're seeing at home is normal, then having her checked out by your family veterinarian would be a good idea. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 1st, 2018
Thanks for using petcock, and congratulations on your new puppy! Puppy behavior when going to a new home can vary widely. Some puppies handle the transition without an issue, and others may be more shy at first as they get used to their life away from their siblings and the home they previously knew. I would use lots of positive reinforcement, including treats, toys, and attention to help her acclimate to her new environment. With time, she may adjust and become more bubbly and outgoing; some dogs, however, have a more reserved personality, so you will just have to wait and see which she is when she's better acquainted with her new environment! Best of luck, and congratulations again!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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