Chase can be weird on hardwood or uncarpeted floors. He's almost 10 and I think he's afraid of slipping. His back legs did kind of go out from under him in a split just the other day, so I can understand his hesitancy. He comes in for meals with no problem but crossing to the back door can be tricky. When Lark was young she had some limping so I pretty much put rugs and runners everywhere except the kitchen to decrease the chance of her slipping. My kids have made some snarky comments about all the rugs but hey, they don't live here and Chase does, so if I want throw rugs, I have throw rugs. Plus, it does protect these 60 year old hardwood floors. Lark doesn't care whether there's a rug or not but Chase is clearly more comfortable on rugs or carpeting. Getting him to run across the kitchen to the back door can sometimes take a little time or he runs across like he's crossing hot coals. I don't force him but I also don't really make a big deal when he does run across. I just try to make it a non-event.
I figure I have a few quirks so he can, too.