Our primary concern as dog parents is the well-being of our pets, especially the pups. We take them on walks with us, purchase them toys, play with them, and feed them nutritional foods. So it is really frustrating whenever you try and bring your puppy outside and he immediately begins to cry. It can be a real pain to walk with your puppy when they yank, yelp, and screech their way through the entire process. But on the other hand, how are you going to keep your puppy in shape if you don’t go for walks?If you are searching for answers to questions like: “Why Does My Puppy Cry On Walks?” or “Is It Normal for Puppies to Cry on Walks?” then search no more. In this article, we’ll thoroughly discuss this behavior for you.Untrained puppies usually whine, yank, squeal, and high-pitch bark when they go out for walks. Mostly, this behavior is caused by excitement to go out to walk and play. This is especially true if you haven’t let your puppy out for a while and he can sense that you are about to go out for a walk. Other reasons include injury, fear, communication, or you have encouraged this behavior somehow. In addition to that, your puppy may be acting out when he is about to go out due to a combination of two or more reasons. Continue reading to explore the common reasons why your puppy cries everytime you go for a walk and other things you should consider.
What Are The Common Reasons Why Your Puppy Cries During Walks?
Excitement
If your puppy exhibits other signs like wagging his tail, jumping up and down, or scratching the door, then your puppy is probably crying because he is excited to go out. When did your puppy start whining? Is it while you are preparing to go out and still inside your house or is it when you are already on your way to the park? If your puppy started crying before you even reach the gate, then most probably, your puppy is crying out of excitement.
You Have Encouraged the Behavior
As is often mentioned in most articles, puppies are smart creatures. They can easily pick up cues and knows what to do to get what they want. So when you usually give in to your puppy by giving them treats whenever he whines, then your puppy might be crying when walking because you have encouraged this behavior.
Injury
When your puppy is suddenly hesitant to go for a walk and has just started crying whenever you are out then it is possible that your puppy is crying because he is injured. Check your puppy if he is limping or has been licking a particular area lately. Low-quality leashes can cause injury to your puppy’s neck. Have you changed your puppy’s leash recently? Did he start crying when you changed his leash? Is he hesitant to use his new leash? The answers to these questions will help you investigate if your puppy’s new leash is the reason for his new behavior.
Fear
Fear can very well be the reason why your puppy is crying when you go out if he is just recently adopted. Newly-adopted puppies will take time adjusting to their new home and making them go on walks while still adjusting can be overwhelming and scary for your puppies. At the same time, if your puppy is aloof whenever you are around other animals or people, then your puppy may need help socializing.
Communication
Puppies use their mouth mainly to communicate what they want. So if your puppy is crying while you are out for a walk, then it is possible that your puppy wants something from you. For example, if he is on a leash, then he can be crying because he wanted you to remove his leash and be free to go. Another common scenario is he wants to play with you. Investigating why your puppy is crying during a walk can be pretty confusing. However, there are questions you can consider to help you identify what is causing this behavior
- What Happened When Your Puppy Started Crying During a Walk?
If your puppy doesn’t usually cry during walks before, then there is a trigger that caused your puppy to start crying. Go down memory lane when your puppy first started to cry. What happened then? Did he get injured? Did you meet a lot of people or animals?
- When Did Your Puppy Start Crying?
As mentioned above, if your puppy starts crying while you are still preparing to go out, then he can be crying because he is excited to go out. In addition to that, if your puppy starts crying when he sees other people or animals and he is on a leash, then he might be crying to let you know he wants you to remove his leash and play with other animals. Or if you usually play with him in the park, and he is yanking up and down, then it might be a cue that he wants to play with you.
- How Old is Your Puppy?
Young puppies have bigger tendencies to cry during walks due to separation anxiety from their mom. Just like small kids, if they get separated from their parents or guardian, they panic. The same goes for newly-acquired puppies. They cry during walks because they are still adjusting to their new environment. To introduce daily walk activities where they’ll see new places and meet different faces can be too much for your puppy and their emotion can come out as a bark or whine.
Is Crying During Walks Normal for Puppies?
A lot of puppies cry during walks. In fact, puppies are more prone to crying compared to older dogs. However, while this behavior is common it does not mean that it should be ignored. Crying during walks for young and newly-acquired puppies is normal if they are not yet familiar with this behavior. However, once they are already accustomed to it and suddenly cried again, then crying is a sign that there is something wrong.
How Do You Stop Your Dog From Crying During Walks?
Make sure He is NOT Injured
It can be hard to determine if your puppy is injured cause the reality is that puppies are good at concealing it. However, there are signs that you can look out for. Below are typical signs that a puppy is injured or in pain:
- Licking lips
- Flinching
- Turning Head
- Moving to Avoid Touch
- Grumpy Temperature
Additionally, you can do on touch investigation to check injured areas in your puppy’s body. Injured areas are often, red, warm, and swelling.
Avoid Encouraging the Behavior
Letting your puppy know that crying will get him nowhere, is a great technique to stop your dog from crying to get what he wants. Ignore your puppy when he is crying, and when he stops crying reward the behavior. Over time, he will know that by not crying, he’ll get a better chance of getting a reward.
Make Sure It Is Not an Issue with the Leash or Collar
Leash and collars can also cause discomfort to your puppy and maybe the reason why he is crying. Try using different leashes and collars. If there are changes in the behavior of your dog when using a specific collar or leash, don’t let him use the collar that is causing him to cry.Make sure that your dog is unable to free itself from the collar or harness that it is wearing at all times. To keep some dogs from escaping, you may need to clip the leash to two points.
Try a Dog Backpack
Your puppy’s tendency to cry on walks can often be reduced by using a dog backpack. It assists them in focusing on something other than the task at hand, which is moving forward. Use paperback books or dog food in an airtight Ziploc bag to add some weight to the bag.
Invest in Puzzle Type Toys
Keeping your puppy mentally healthy can make them less excited on walks. This is helpful if you do not let your puppy go on walks on a daily basis.
Add Running to Your Walk
Letting your puppy release his pent-up energy during the first minutes of his walk can make it more manageable to control him during the rest of your activity. If possible, run with your dog for the first 10 minutes of your walk.
Only Walk Toward Other Dogs When Your Dog is Calm
If other people or animal is causing your puppy’s excitement, then this can be effective in keeping the excitement level of your puppy acceptable. Reward your dog with treats whenever he is calmed down around other people and animals. Let him make friends by walking toward the other dog. However, turn and walk away the moment your dog tugs or whines (or anything). And so on, repeating the process as necessary.
