Reasons Why Your Dog Won’t Go Outside
From sensory overload to past traumatic experiences, there are many explanations as to why a dog may be afraid to go outside. Below are the most common reasons:
Unfamiliar Sounds Outside
Dogs hear four times louder than we do. Your pup might be afraid to go out because of bellowing thunder or a loud beeping sound from a big truck that’s backing up–both of which sound a lot louder to him than to you.
If he’s frightened, you might try a ThunderShirt if the sound will be going on for a while, like construction. You can gently try to persuade your pup to go out slowly to reassure him that the sound poses no danger. Treat, praise and pet him as he ventures out.
Desensitization is gradually reintroducing your dog to something that scares him, as opposed to completely exposing them to something he finds terrifying. It’s usually successful and worth spending time on it and being patient.
Newly Adopted And Adjusting
When you first bring home your pooch, there’s a great deal of stimulus for her to adjust to. She’s meeting you and anyone you live with, taking in the environment, learning how you want her to behave (on or off the furniture and similar rules) and adjusting from her foster home or a shelter. She needs to familiarize herself with your walking and life routines.
This issue should resolve itself in time. You can continue to show her the door and see if she minds you putting a leash on her. Treats, praise and petting are always motivating if you want to encourage her gently to go out.
Afraid of the Dark
Everything looks much different when it’s light out than when under a blanket of darkness. Also, if your dog’s sight isn’t good, it’s more difficult to see at night.
You should be able to entice Rover with some treats. Go outside your door one night, then to the end of your property the next night and gradually increase the distance. Be sure to praise, pet and give him treats each time he walks to the desired place. Bring a big flashlight with you to keep his path illuminated.
Not Well Socialized
Canines who aren’t socialized are insecure and nervous. It’s vital to take your pup for a walk around your neighbourhood, to the park and other places so she sees and interacts with other dogs and humans. Dogs need to be exposed to people and animals or they will be afraid of them. Ideally, puppies should be socialized when they are young.
Inclimate Weather
Some dogs don’t like rain because of the feeling of it hitting them. Although, some dogs don’t mind it. Another rain issue is that it sounds much louder to dogs than to humans. 30% of dogs are afraid of thunder. If rain is extremely loud for them, imagine thunder being four times louder than what we hear.
Dogs who are afraid of thunder will pace, pant, bark and/or hide. This is another occasion to break out the ThunderShirt. A single drop of diluted lavender or chamomile essential oils or in a diffuser may also help your dog relax during a storm.
Canines who don’t have lush fur coats may balk at being asked to go outside when it’s cold. A doggy coat may help. Keep the walks short if he doesn’t seem happy to be out.
Conversely, fluff balls start panting when the temperature rises above the freezing level. They are ecstatic when the rest of us are experiencing frostbite in the winter, but hot weather makes them miserable. Short walks, a cooling mat and a cooling vest will ensure that they don’t overheat.
Had a Bad Experience
Whether it was a bug bite or an aggressive dog, if anything traumatic happened outside, your fur baby will remember. She needs to be reassured that it’s safe out there. Desensitizing and positive reinforcement will help, so take her out for short then longer periods of time and reward them.
Moved to a New Location
It’s a whole new world for Spot. He needs to explore it at his own pace and to learn that it’s safe and fun to scamper in the yard and go for walks. It’s natural for him to be a bit confused in an environment that’s different from the one he’s known.
Not Accustomed To Leash Walking
If your pup lived with someone else before who never put her on a leash, she’s very confused about that thing you want to use to tether her to you. The best way to introduce the leash is with a happy voice and a treat and petting. Make Fifi think that being leashed is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Start with a short walk and lengthen it a bit each time.
If your dog had a choke collar and her prior owner pulled the leash and collar too hard, she may be afraid of walking on leash. You may consider purchasing a harness that won’t remind her of any past leash-walking trauma.
Elderly
As your dog ages, walking may become difficult due to arthritis and other health issues. Joint supplements and CBD oil can help alleviate swelling and pain. Walking support devices also make walking easier for your pup because you can help her support herself.
Dogs can develop dementia like we do. If your dog seems disoriented, he may be having problems with his memory. He may be interacting with household members differently, acting strange or having accidents in the house. Veterinary appointments after age seven are important for geriatric care.
Something Changed in the House
The slightest change may affect your pup. Slippery floors, moved furniture or something similar may annoy or upset her. If your fur child suddenly doesn’t like going out because something in the path to the door has changed, you may have to take her out through another door.
Not Feeling Well
If your pup usually gets excited to go outside and suddenly doesn’t want to, perhaps he’s not feeling well. Check his paws to see if they are red or irritated. Is he eating normally? You might need to go to the vet.
Encouraging Your Dog to Enjoy the Outdoors
If your dog is reluctant to go outside, it can be challenging to change their behaviour. However, with patience and the right approach, you can help your furry friend overcome their fears and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Start with short, positive experiences: Gradually expose your dog to the outdoors in small increments. Start with a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase the duration of each outing. Reward your dog with treats or praise for positive behaviour.
- Use positive reinforcement: Whenever your dog takes a step outside, offer them a treat or praise. This will reinforce the positive behaviour and make them more likely to go outside in the future.
- Avoid punishment: Punishing your dog for not going outside will only make their fear worse. Instead, use positive reinforcement to encourage and reward good behaviour.
- Gradually introduce new experiences: If your dog is afraid of certain sights, sounds, or smells outside, gradually expose them to these stimuli in a controlled and positive environment.
- Seek professional help: If your dog’s fear of going outside is severe, it may be necessary to seek the help of a professional dog behaviourist. They can help you develop a customized plan to address your dog’s specific fears and behaviours.
By following these tips and being patient, you can help your dog overcome their fears and enjoy the great outdoors. With time and consistency, your furry friend will learn to love going for walks and spending time outside.
SUMMARY
A dog’s fear of going outside can be caused by a variety of factors and can be a challenging issue to overcome. However, with patience, understanding, and the right approach, you can help your furry friend overcome their fears and build confidence.
Whether it’s through gradual exposure, positive reinforcement, or seeking professional help, there are many ways to help your dog enjoy the great outdoors and lead a happy, healthy life.
