Dog Wants to Go Home During Walks? 5 Reasons This Happens + What to Do
If your dog wants to go home during walks, it can be confusing and disheartening. You step outside, leash in hand, ready for a peaceful stroll — but a few steps in, your dog stalls. They pull toward home, freeze up, or just seem completely disinterested. It’s frustrating. Confusing. Sometimes even a little heartbreaking.
Because walks are supposed to help, right? A chance to bond. Burn energy and reset, but when your dog wants to go home during walks — and you’re left dragging or coaxing them every few minutes — it’s easy to feel like something’s wrong...and if it's more of a regular thing you’re probably right.
This isn’t always about stubbornness or laziness. It can also be your dog’s way of saying: “This isn’t working for me right now”.
In this post, I'll explore five common reasons your dog might be refusing walks — from discomfort and fear, to boredom and emotional overload — plus simple adjustments you can make to help them feel more comfortable, confident, and eager to walk again.
Let’s decode the message behind the behaviour, so you and your dog can both enjoy your time outside again.
Why Your Dog Wants to Go Home During Walks
#1 - Pain and Discomfort
The first thing you want to do (just like most issues when it comes to dogs) is rule out pain and discomfort. If your dog suddenly refuses to walk, it could be a sign of a deeper issue they may be struggling with.
Your dog could potentially be struggling with pain issues such as joint issues, cuts and grazes, or even too long nails (long nails can cause a lot of discomfort).
When feeling pain or discomfort, a dog will want nothing more than space and to be somewhere they feel safe, which could even lead to unpredictable and possibly even reactive behaviour.
A good rule of thumb is to always check with the vet when there is a sudden change in their regular routine or if things are persistent.
What to check:
Are their nails too long?
Any limping, stiffness, or change in gait?
Paw pads sore, cracked, or hot pavement exposure?
Recent illness or ongoing health condition?
#2 - Home Is Where The Heart Is
Young dogs, anxious dogs, or newly rehomed dogs often view home as their anchor. It’s where the smells are familiar, resources are predictable, and everything feels manageable. Especially for puppies or nervous types, walking away from safety can feel…wrong.
This often fades with confidence, curiosity, independence, maturity, and exposure — but it must be supported, not forced.
#3 - Fear and Overstimulation
The world can be LOUD. Especially for sensitive dogs. The chaos of smells, sounds, people, and other dogs can be overwhelming. What looks like a simple walk to us might feel like sensory overload to them.
If they’re pulling back, scanning, trembling, freezing, or seem overstimulated on walks — it’s probably their nervous system saying: “I'm struggling to do this right now”
This might be rooted in:
A scary past experience
Cumulative stress (aka trigger stacking)
Lack of recovery between walks
Environments that are too “hot” for their current skill set
#4 - Boredom
Not all slow walks are about fear or big emotions — sometimes, they’re because the walk is just a bit meh. If every walk is the same route, same pace, same everything, your dog might just be...bored. Especially if they’re not allowed to sniff, explore, or interact.
When the walk becomes a forced march, they might start checking out — or pulling toward something more fun (like home).
Look for:
Flat body language
Lack of sniffing or engagement
Resistance leaving the house or stopping midway
Speeding up near the end = “let’s get this over with”
Obsessive and frantic behaviours when they get a chance
#5 - Walks Just Don’t Work for Them Right Now
For some dogs, more so those recovering from trauma, reactivity, or long-term stress...traditional walks just don’t help. Instead of decompressing, they’re getting more aroused. Instead of liberty and engagement, you get shutdowns or meltdowns.
Not all dogs benefit from daily walks — especially if those walks are chaotic. If your dog consistently struggles, it might be time to hit pause and focus on meeting their needs in a way that’s actually regulating.
Not all exercise is created equal...
If your dog pulls to go home but goes feral for a game of tug or scentwork, it might be a mismatch of outlet. Matching your dog’s breed and drive to the right kind of activity makes a huge difference.
👉🏾 [Download the FREE Breed Specific Outlets Guide] and find fulfilling alternatives to walks that actually leave your dog feeling satisfied and calm.
What To Do When Your Dog Stops Walking and Won't Move
Dogs don’t just stop for no reason. They stop because something doesn’t feel right. Your job isn’t to drag them along — it’s to figure out what the underlying cause is.
Here’s how to approach it:
Pause and observe. Are they alert and curious…or tense? Is their tail loose or tucked? Their eyes soft or wide? These little signals tell you what’s really going on.
Check for pain. If your dog’s movement looks stiff or unusual, give them a quick once over (if they’ll allow it), and watch for limping, paw lifting, or hesitation.
Don’t force it. If something feels off, dragging your dog through it will only damage trust and add frustration to the mix. It’s okay to turn back, take a breather, or call it a day.
Adjust the route. If you’re in a high-pressure environment with traffic, kids, barking dogs then create some distance. Sometimes a simple change of scenery helps.
Be present. Your dog picks up on your energy. If you’re tense, rushed, or frustrated, they’ll feel it. So take a breath, get down to their level, and try again.
This moment of resistance? It’s not defiance. It’s communication.
Listen first — then decide what needs to change.
5 Remedies For When Your Dog Wants To Go Home During Walks
These remedies aren’t quick fixes — they’re thoughtful adjustments to help your dog feel safer, more engaged, and more in control.
#1 - Switch Up the Scenery
Switch things up!
Routine can be grounding…but it can also be mind-numbing. If your walks follow the same path day after day, your dog might be mentally checking out.
Try:
Reversing your usual route
Visiting a quiet trail or field
Taking a short car ride to a new environment
Novelty boosts curiosity. You don't have to switch up the whole walk, maybe leave earlier and take the scenic route. A new smellscape can reinvigorate the whole experience — especially for dogs who seem bored, hesitant, or disinterested.
#2 - Make Walks Worthwhile
Many of us just walk our dogs in the same boring way, on the same route. Adding some play can actually go a long way to meeting your dog's needs on top of their walk.
If your dog doesn’t see the point of the walk, make it fun again. Add moments that meet their actual needs.
Try:
Playing "find it" games with treats
Adding decompression time — let them sniff and explore without pressure
Bringing toys for quick bursts of play
Training engagement or tricks for mental stimulation
Walks shouldn’t feel like a forced march. They should feel like an opportunity to bond with your dog.
#3 - Try Doing…Nothing
For dogs who are anxious or overwhelmed, walking might be too much right now so instead of pushing through...try stillness.
Find a quiet spot and just exist together. Let your dog watch the world, take in the sounds and smells, and decide if they want to engage or observe.
This builds confidence, reduces pressure, and helps them process the environment at their own pace.
#4 - Slow Everything Down
Fast pacing can lead to overarousal. If your dog’s pulling hard to get home — or seems increasingly frantic, or if you're rushing to get back home — try slowing the walk right down.
Give them time to sniff, pause, and breathe. This not only supports decompression, it helps rewire the “home = escape” mindset.
Sometimes, less motion helps creates more clarity.
#5 - Keep It Short (And Sweet)
There’s no rule that says every walk has to be 2 hours long. If your dog finds walks difficult, shorten the duration and shift your focus:
Meet their physical needs with structured play or outlets at home
Meet their emotional needs with safety, routine, and rest
Use walks as practice — not punishment
Short walks can still be successful walks.
Track What’s Working (and What’s Not)
Sometimes it can be hard to spot patterns (or pain) in the moment. But when you start logging your routines, behaviours, and environment shifts — things get clearer.
Maybe they only resist on busy days. Maybe you notice more enthusiasm after a sniffy adventure. Maybe it’s tied to how you felt that morning...
Tracking helps you stop guessing and start seeing what’s really helping.
👉🏾 Use the [Digital Dog Training Journal] to track walks, note patterns, reflect on changes, and make more intional and informed adjustments — all from one calm, paper-free hub.
Are Your Walks Doing More Harm Than Good?
For many reactive, anxious, or high-energy dogs, daily walks can become a source of stress instead of relief. What’s meant to be calming and connective often turns into a battle — pulling, reacting, freezing, or checking out completely.
Over time, this builds up of stress in the body, makes dogs more impulsive, unpredictable, and reactive. If you and your dog are consistently struggling on your walks then it’s a sign that the walk routine might be working against you — not for you.
Instead of pushing through, sometimes the most powerful move is to take a pause. Taking a short break from walks and focusing on meeting your dog’s core needs — like rest, outlets, and stimulation (the holy trinity) can help give them the reset they truly need.
It might feel counterintuitive, but stepping back can and will make future walks (and life) easier in the long run.
👉🏾 Ready to try a reset? [Download the FREE 5-Day Detox Protocol] and help your dog decompress the right way
Final Thoughts
When your dog wants to go home during walks, it’s easy to feel confused, frustrated, or even a little rejected. But what often looks like stubbornness on the surface can be your dog quietly asking for help — for comfort, for clarity, for things to feel a little less overwhelming.
Maybe it’s pain. Maybe it’s overstimulation. Maybe it’s just that today’s walk isn’t serving them the way you hoped it would (we've all been there).
Whatever the reason, the solution isn’t to push harder — it’s to pause, reflect, and adapt.
Progress doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes, it comes from doing less — but doing it with intention.
Trust me.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Dog Refuses To Walk
Sudden refusal to walk could point to injury, joint pain, and strains. If your dog shows signs of limping, discomfort, disorientation, or distress, contact your vet.
First, pause and observe your dog calmly. Don’t force them forward. Check their body language, surroundings, and overall mood. They may need rest, feel overwhelmed, or be communicating discomfort. Reset the moment with something like a scatter feed, or gentle encouragement.
If your dog understands leash pressure, something a bit of gentle pressure can be all that's needed. But in most cases you can use luring and coaxing if needs be. Try not to force it too much, sometimes it's worth reassessing the situation.
Absolutely. If this is sudden issue or something frequent, the first thing you should do is seek medical help to rule out pain or injury.
Yes! Despite it being "common law" to walk dogs on a daily basis, it isn't essential. Many owners have found success in meeting their dogs needs first and putting less focus and stress on daily walks.
There are so many alternatives such as scent games, flirt pole, bitework, digging and so much more.
👉🏾 [Grab my Breed Specific Outlets Guide to get started].
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