I need help! (Dog related)

stateoflove79

I seem to have gotten a lot of good advice here in the past, so I am trying it out again.

One of my dogs, a golden retriever, has suddenly been afraid of going outside to go to the bathroom. It's mostly with me, but sometimes she won't go with my wife either. She still gets excited when it's time for a walk (when she sees us with her leash) and she is still the same happy go lucky, and crazy girl in the house. But getting her to go in the back yard is a struggle lately. Once she finally gets out there...she does her business and plays ball and is the same old crazy dog we know. We don't hit our dogs as discipline, so she can't be suddenly afraid of that. We are pretty baffled and have looked for answers, but nothing is working and it's only getting worse. Not even giving her a treat by the door is working anymore. Any advice for us? I just want to be able to take all my dogs outside and not have to worry that she won't go anymore.

Go Beavers

Does it seem like an issue just with the doorway, like getting to it, or through it?

stateoflove79

Go Beavers wrote:

Does it seem like an issue just with the doorway, like getting to it, or through it?

I would say yes if coming back in was also an issue. She has no problem with that.

Wobbie

try over here:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=80212&start=9165

lotta doggie knowledge there. I also have a golden with a lot of "quirks" but this one stumps me. :?

bionicamy

Perhaps she was startled or accidentally hurt by something when exiting your house.....

If she is an older dog and not spayed they can get a little funny when going in and out of heat.
My only other thought would be a bladder or kidney issue.... Might hurt to go.

Might want to call your vet if it keeps up just to make sure there isn't a underlying health issue.

JaneNY

bionicamy wrote:

Perhaps she was startled or accidentally hurt by something when exiting your house.....

If she is an older dog and not spayed they can get a little funny when going in and out of heat.
My only other thought would be a bladder or kidney issue.... Might hurt to go.

Might want to call your vet if it keeps up just to make sure there isn't a underlying health issue.

I totally agree with this - do take the dog to the vet.

loolooloo

Words of advice: Don't try to pull or force her out, as that will make whatever the hesitancy is even worse! Try a leash and her favorite treat. Put the leash on, walk to the CLOSED door, give her the treat. Repeat like 3 times. Then give it a rest. Next time do the same thing, except open the door. Lead her up to the door with favorite tasty treat in hand, but don't make her go outside. Repeat times 3, giving her a bit of treat as you walk and when you reach the door. Take a break. (You see where I'm going with this?) The next time you do it, just keep walking out the door, and see if she will just follow you without thinking about it. Obviously this works if she is food motivated like my doggie who decided he wouldn't go down the back steps anymore. Or course, we knew exactly why- one or our cats would always try to attack him as he ran out!! Heeehee a big ole 150lb rottie was terrified of our 15lb tabby. Anyway, good luck and let us know how it turns out!

covered in bliss

just go out in the yard with her for a while, she'll get over it.

DS1119

It almost sounds like anxiety. I would go see a vet and good luck.








































i want a doggie

Go Beavers

loolooloo wrote:

Words of advice: Don't try to pull or force her out, as that will make whatever the hesitancy is even worse! Try a leash and her favorite treat. Put the leash on, walk to the CLOSED door, give her the treat. Repeat like 3 times. Then give it a rest. Next time do the same thing, except open the door. Lead her up to the door with favorite tasty treat in hand, but don't make her go outside. Repeat times 3, giving her a bit of treat as you walk and when you reach the door. Take a break. (You see where I'm going with this?) The next time you do it, just keep walking out the door, and see if she will just follow you without thinking about it. Obviously this works if she is food motivated like my doggie who decided he wouldn't go down the back steps anymore. Or course, we knew exactly why- one or our cats would always try to attack him as he ran out!! Heeehee a big ole 150lb rottie was terrified of our 15lb tabby. Anyway, good luck and let us know how it turns out!

I like loolooloo's advice, and she/he has a dog in her pic, so she/he knows dogs, right? I like getting her on a leash in the house, and getting her focused on you, because you're in charge. You have the treats, the leash, you're leading her around the house. you go by the door several times, but the dog is just focused on you and the treats (or even a ball) in your hand. Next thing the dog knows, the door is open and you're leading her out the door. See how easy that was. Keep repeating. No?

your move now

have there been any accidents in the house?

Claireack

loolooloo wrote:

Words of advice: Don't try to pull or force her out, as that will make whatever the hesitancy is even worse! Try a leash and her favorite treat. Put the leash on, walk to the CLOSED door, give her the treat. Repeat like 3 times. Then give it a rest. Next time do the same thing, except open the door. Lead her up to the door with favorite tasty treat in hand, but don't make her go outside. Repeat times 3, giving her a bit of treat as you walk and when you reach the door. Take a break. (You see where I'm going with this?) The next time you do it, just keep walking out the door, and see if she will just follow you without thinking about it. Obviously this works if she is food motivated like my doggie who decided he wouldn't go down the back steps anymore. Or course, we knew exactly why- one or our cats would always try to attack him as he ran out!! Heeehee a big ole 150lb rottie was terrified of our 15lb tabby. Anyway, good luck and let us know how it turns out!

Excellent advice!

stateoflove79

your move now wrote:

have there been any accidents in the house?

A few minors ones, but only when she is scared. I am trying to take the advice of loolooloo...so far so good.

loolooloo

stateoflove79 wrote:

your move now wrote:

have there been any accidents in the house?

A few minors ones, but only when she is scared. I am trying to take the advice of loolooloo...so far so good.

Wow, I need to tell my husband that people around here appreciate my advice ...unlike SOME people...of course, he doesn't think of it as "advice" as much as "constant nagging"

Anyhoo, hope your doggie is getting over her fears! Positive reinforcement always!

covered in bliss

It has been a while... how's your doggy?