Doesn't want to go out-Weird

JWalkBoxers · #1 10-30-2009, 06:53 AM

This is a problem I have never had before. The last few days, Ripley has not wanted to go outside, and I have no idea why. He was starting to go to the door when he had to potty, which I heavily reinforced with lots of rewards and praise. Then, starting Tuesday, I have had to fight with him to get him outside, especially in the mornings. When I put his leash on him, he will either plop his butt down or try to go into another room. Sometimes I actually have to pick him up and carry him out, and I hate doing that because I don't want him to get the idea that he doesn't have to walk out because Mom will carry him, but if I don't he will potty in the house. He has no desire to go outside at all unless his buddy, the cat Oakley, goes out. To my knowledge, nothing has happened to scare him while he was outside, and this is just totally opposite behavior from every other dog I've had. They all wanted to go outside so bad they couldn't stand it. I would have to fight to get them back in. Have any of you encountered this problem?

amauer · #2 10-31-2009, 07:46 PM

It sure sounds like something spooked him. It doesn't take much to make a dog develop "superstitious" behaviors as a result of being startled or frightened. It could be so little as a sound, like a car backfiring. I would use systematic desensitization "as if " something happened to scare your dog into a fear response. It may help to use another entrance and go for a ride, rather than his usual and work from there. Try the leash coming up to the yard rather than out through the door. Take it slow and each time increase the distance and praise profusley. Try not to reward the cowering behavior and really try to not feel too sorry as he needs you to be the leader and confident one rather than being overly comforting. He may just think that justifies his fears. Go out with him and sit in the ground, seem unconcerned, read a book, use treats. Do this in short spurts over and over while introducing new outdoors activities too. Play a game, go to a park. All these things may loosen him up.
He may also think that the morning Potty is a cue that you are going to leave and by putting it off, you may not leave. Next step, check separation anxiety symptoms.

Furface · #3 11-01-2009, 06:07 AM

This probably sounds dumb, but has the weather changed at all, could he just have decided he doesn't want to go out in he cold and wet?

ehayes21 · #4 11-01-2009, 10:04 AM

You didn't mention hold your pup is, but it could be that he's hit his second fear imprint period. Usually when this happens things that the dog normally doesn't have an issue with suddenly become scary. In Rowdy's instance it was our ceiling fan that was suddenly absolutely horrifying.
I would keep your attitude upbeat and as mentioned above try not to cater to his scared behavior. Obviously you have to go outside, so pick him up if you have to, but you might also want practice going back and through the doorway as many times as you can. The more times you show him there is nothing to be afraid of the better.

kayboxer · #5 11-01-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehayes21

In Rowdy's instance it was our ceiling fan that was suddenly absolutely horrifying.

I'm sorry, but for some reason this just struck me funny! I bet he didn't even want to step into the room!

bawlinkids · #6 11-01-2009, 06:30 PM

I am so glad that you posted about this Jennifer. Bentley definately knows what "wanna go outside" means because every time I say it, he runs the opposite way of the door and into his bed. He has not once signaled me that he needs to go outside. I have a funny feeling that the biggest problem is the weater, it has been rainy, cold, windy and even snowy since the day I brought him home, not real pleasant for a little one. There have been maybe 4 days with nice sunshine and on those days he loves to be outside but for the four weeks he's been home, I have carried the little stinker out the door every time. Now, If I say "BENTLEY, WANNA GO IN" he is right on it! UGH! I hope he gets it soon, I'm not sure I'll be up to carrying a 40 or 50 lb. boxer outside to go potty.

JWalkBoxers · #7 11-01-2009, 08:18 PM

I think I figured it out. It was extremely rainy last Tues., and he was miserable every time we had to go out. Since he was only 9 1/2 weeks old, I know that he is extremely impressionable, so I started luring him out with yummy hot dogs. After he would do his business, I would let him play and explore the yard until he is ready to go in. It has worked like a charm! Bawlinkids, the weather has been just the same here. Surprisingly, even though it was cold and rainy here all day, he was willing to go out every time and he still wanted to play after going potty. Now, he is running to the door whenever he has to go potty. I was a little concerned about whether or not I should use the treats as a lure, but it has worked out well. No accidents since last Saturday. Woo hoo!

bawlinkids · #8 11-01-2009, 09:15 PM

I'm so happy to hear that you found something that worked for little Ripley, my biggest problem with Bentley is that he's not very food or treat motivated at all. It should be really interesting on Wed. on his first day of puppy classes. I'm hoping they have a few tricks up their sleeves.

JWalkBoxers · #9 11-02-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bawlinkids

I'm so happy to hear that you found something that worked for little Ripley, my biggest problem with Bentley is that he's not very food or treat motivated at all. It should be really interesting on Wed. on his first day of puppy classes. I'm hoping they have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Luckily for me, Ripley is ridiculously food motivated! He will do just about anything for a piece of hot dog or chicken. Does Bentley have a favorite toy? I know that some dogs that aren't very food motivated can do very well if they are toy oriented. I'm sure there is something that he really loves. It may just take a little longer to try to figure out what his "currency" is. I hope they can help in puppy class. Let us know how it goes!

ehayes21 · #10 11-02-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayboxer

I'm sorry, but for some reason this just struck me funny! I bet he didn't even want to step into the room!

No, he didn't. But when he had to, picture a boxer belly crawling it's way across the room while warily looking upward at the looming ceiling fan...he camped out in the hallway for a week or so before he got the message it wasn't going to eat him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWalkBoxers

I think I figured it out. It was extremely rainy last Tues., and he was miserable every time we had to go out. Since he was only 9 1/2 weeks old, I know that he is extremely impressionable, so I started luring him out with yummy hot dogs. After he would do his business, I would let him play and explore the yard until he is ready to go in. It has worked like a charm! Bawlinkids, the weather has been just the same here. Surprisingly, even though it was cold and rainy here all day, he was willing to go out every time and he still wanted to play after going potty. Now, he is running to the door whenever he has to go potty. I was a little concerned about whether or not I should use the treats as a lure, but it has worked out well. No accidents since last Saturday. Woo hoo!

I am glad you figured it out!