My dog is picky about where to go for walks

Question
My 12 year old, un-neutered male dog (black lab, pit-bull and chow mutt) stops and refuses to walk when we go a direction he doesn't prefer.  This is sometimes just annoying, and I give in and we go the direction he wants to go.  Other times, he'll whine to go out, but when I take him to the woods behind my home (a very common spot for us to walk and him to poop), he'll turn around.  If I bring him in the house, he'll whine within fifteen minutes and the saga repeats.  Though I know he has to poop, he'd rather go home than just go in the convenient place that he is apparently bored with.
I've tried dragging him forward on the leash (got a gentle leader type harness a few years ago, as he used to slip out of his collar and run off where he wanted to go).  He'll walk ahead for a few minutes, then sit and freeze up again, ears down.  I've tried gentle talking, praise, encouragement.  Firm commands, looking into his face to dominate.  Nothing works.  He's always done this occasionally, but it's gotten much worse the last few months.  Help!  What can I do???

Answer
Hi Kendra,

Your dog might benefit from using a head harness, rather than being walked with a standard neck collar, or even a shoulder harness.

These clever, humane training devices that go by the brand names Gentle Leader (also known as the Promise collar) and Halti. They're like power steering for dogs, and when used correctly, make many dogs feel more calm and safe.
The head harness is based on the principle that wherever the head goes, the body follows. Like horse halters, dog head collars hold the jaw and cheek, with one strap encircling the dog's nose and another running behind the back of the head. You hook a leash to a ring to the snout strap under the chin.

Be sure to read up on head harnesses before using one. It will be something your dog will need to get used to wearing, so allow your dog time to adjust, so be patient. As with everything else, starting off on the right foot, and paw, really pays.

You can learn more about head harnesses here:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/9000_dog-training-basic-tips-fit-head-halter....

http://www.truveo.com/Dog-Training-Equipment-Gentle-Leader-Head-Collar/id/246079...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFaFfad7uCs

Best of luck,

Patti