Walking the dog

Question
Our poodle is 4 and 1/2 months old and she is a real sweetie most of the time. One very frustrating thing that she does, however, is refusing to walk.  We begin to go for a walk and she plops her rear (or whole body!) down on the street and WILL NOT MOVE.  A very experienced dog sitter in our town said to just make her go and pull her along until she complies, but I can pull her for several feet and she will not budge and I feel very cruel pulling her along by her neck  (not to mention I feel pretty rediculous MAKING my dog go for a walk).  I know she's just a puppy and needs to be trained, but I thought dogs liked to go for walks and I was hoping we could at least make it around the block.  I used to pick her up and carry her for several feet and then put her down again, but I don't really want to CARRY my dog on a walk either.  Any suggestions or explanations for this behavior?  Thank you so much.

Kris D.

Answer
The only thing I can think of is your girl is either acting like a 2 year old (saying 'NO' when mama says to do something) or something has scared her.  You may want to try pulling her along at first.  If, as the dog sitter says, she comes after awhile, it may get easier with repetition.  Habits take about 13 times doing something to set it in the mind, and I would think a dog would be no different.  Another thing you might do is, after completing a walk, praise her profusely and give her a treat.  That may help her associate walking with rewards.

That is the best advice I can give you.  Not being there and actually interacting with the dog is a disadvantage....

I wish you much luck!!

Kathryn