Scared to potty at night (long)

JWalkBoxers · #1 10-22-2009, 09:24 AM

When we first brought Ripley home, I had a hard time getting him comfortable enough outside at night to go potty. We have a light at the front door, but he was scared about all of the things that he could hear but couldn't see. We were able to get past it, but last night we had another problem. It had just gotten dark and we were going outside to pee when this punk teenager went walking through our yard yelling and cursing on his cell phone. This alone scared Ripley, but when the kid got the rest of the dogs in the neighborhood worked up and made them bark like crazy, then he really got scared.

We were out there for about 10 minutes and all he would do was sit on me feet. If I tried to start walking, he would just stay right next to my leg. I have heard conflicting reports about comforting dogs when they are in a fearful state, so I just stood next to him and tried to encourage him to potty. No luck. As soon as we went inside and he got comfortable, he peed. We managed to get through it later last night, but I was wondering if any of you have any tips on how to help diffuse the fear if it happens again.

Caney Creek · #2 10-22-2009, 09:30 AM

I would next time try to distract him with a game or a treat. Once you see that he's starting to get comfortable being in the yard again, get back to business.

When Caney was a puppy we had a heck of a time getting her to potty outside at night when the weather changed. She would do exactly what Ripley did -- come right back inside (where it was warm) and "go" on the floor. Do you think that Ripley could be cold as well? If so then maybe wearing a jacket would help ease his stress outside at night.

LILYLARUE · #3 10-22-2009, 09:48 AM

Poor little guy. So much action in the neighborhood. Most times, the very young puppies will get "desensetised" to the sounds and smells around them on their home turf. Sounds like you did the best thing by not comforting him. Just going about your business will let them know if you aren't afraid, then there is no need for him to be. It will take several months of his puppydom to become entrusted in you that you will keep him safe and out of harm's way. Until then, he will be learning from your reactions to the situation.

Maybe next time, walk the other direction, away from the "bad man". Walk confidently, tell him it's "ok" and keep walking. He will learn to avoid these types of situations by removing himself. If you would have yelled at the kid or reacted outwardly, that would have only shown the puppy how to react in the future ~ by voicing his objections! You are his teacher for a while......so how you react is how he learns to react.

JWalkBoxers · #4 10-22-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caney Creek

Do you think that Ripley could be cold as well? If so then maybe wearing a jacket would help ease his stress outside at night.

That was the problem when we first brought him home, but we got him a nice warm coat, so he doesn't really have that problem anymore. I like the idea of the game. We may try that.

Lilylarue, I also like your idea of walking him away from the commotion since I definitely want him to be weary of situations like that.

esabbott · #5 10-22-2009, 10:01 PM

Our Maggie also had this same problem, we would distract her with a game as others suggested. Such as just running around and having her chase us! At first it was because she was afraid, but then she would forget it and have some fun! Then all the running around would make her go! She would stop in the middle of the game and pee! It really worked great. But to this day, if something scares her she still runs and jumps in my lap! and now she is 65 pounds! It really doesn't happen that often! thank god!