My wife (Ann) and I got a puppy in September 2008. She is a Labrador-Springer Spaniel cross, very energetic and intelligent. The problem is that she will not walk with me on my own.
Ann does not work and so Daisy is with her all day. I am first up in the morning and feed and groom her and let her into the garden to relieve herself before going to work. I have trained her to do basic obedience in the house and the back garden. Daisy will retrieve and will drop a ball for me (most of the time) whereas she is more reluctant with my wife. She will play with both of us in the park with a ball or stick. She will come and lie on either or both of us in the evening whilst we watch the TV.
When I take her out of the door on a lead, she will go a few yards, then look round and look for Ann. If she is not coming, Daisy's head goes down, she stops, put her paws down at an angle and refuses to move forward. Even dragging her a bit or giving her treats will only get me a few yards.
If we go out together, I can have the lead and she will happily walk. If my wife walks at the front and I follow 20 yards behind, that is also fine. If we go to the supermarket, she will happily walk round quite a large carpark a couple of times until Ann comes out of the shop.
We have tried Ann walking behind us and then dropping off down a side road or doing the same in front. Each time Daisy notices that this has happened she refuses to move.
We would both love to find out what I have done or not done to cause this problem.
Bob Davies, by email
