What do you do when your dog is afraid of going outside?

[Bartimaeus]

So, we moved and brought my dog with me. She is absolutely frightened of going outside, no matter what. I tried coaxing her with treats, disciplining fearful reactions, and simply sitting around until she gets calm - which doesn't happen, ever. The only way I can get her outside is physically pulling the chain until we're out. She doesn't even like the door - the second I open it, she starts running away.

I don't know what to do - if this goes on, we'll have to get rid of her. Help.

[1UP]

I'd actually force the dog outside and reward her with something, then spend long-ish periods of time outside with her. From what I know it's a good idea to reward dogs when they do something right and if you're persistent they'll grow to like it. When she's out pet her and try to make her feel comfortable.

I wish I had better advice but this is quite honestly a strange problem.

[Twi]

How long has this been going on for? If you've just moved than she's probably not used to the new place yet.

Also, is your dog afraid of loud noises? Maybe someone's setting off fire works in the area? Happens all the time in my neighborhood, especially before and after the 4th of July.

[Breegullbeak]

Is the dog looking at any paticular object outside? I know my dog has a fear of Golf bags(or whatever they are called).

[Korra]

My dog used to be afraid of climbing stairs so, I showed him a little tough love. I picked him up and put him in the middle of the stairs as a puppy and left him to find his own way down. He eventually learned to climb up and down the stairs so, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

How long has it been since you moved? it takes some time for a dog to get her bearings and be familiar with the surroundings. I would say just kick the dog out the door or lock her outside in the backyard until she stops whining and reward the dog when it comes inside.

[empires228]

After the 4th of july my dog wouldn't go near the door let alone outside. For mine we had to kick her out for short periods until she got used to being outside again. Does your dog have any favorate games or toys? For mine its the ball and she would forget about her fear for short periods when she would see her ball.

[The Banjonator]

Ok, I read it as "if this goes on, we'll never get rid of her". Heh.

Anyway, just try what Nature Girl suggested. It's worked for me, although I hate doing it. I'm a softie.

[Pez]

Beat it with a stick.

[KrazyKaz12]

Originally Posted by IbanezerIceFAIL

Beat it with a stick.

Animal Abuse!

[Dylan Yoshi]

The idea of forcing it out with a leash and then giving it a treat when it comes out is a good idea.

[Deebs]

Originally Posted by KrazyKaz12

Animal Abuse!

It works though.

[Bartimaeus]

Well, this is going to be a long post.

Originally Posted by 1UP

I'd actually force the dog outside and reward her with something, then spend long-ish periods of time outside with her. From what I know it's a good idea to reward dogs when they do something right and if you're persistent they'll grow to like it. When she's out pet her and try to make her feel comfortable.

I wish I had better advice but this is quite honestly a strange problem.

We've tried forcing her out. She never relaxes, and just keeps trying to force herself to the door. I sat out for literally half an hour with her, and there was never a bit of relaxation - only whining and pulling. Rewarding her when she's in a bad state of mind seems like the worst thing we did - she wasn't nearly as bad before we started trying to coax her out with treats. It's like telling her that she's right to feel afraid.

Yeah, I know, and she's a blasted German Shepard - who in the world would think that a German Shepard would be afraid of going outside? She loves to lay in small closets, lol.

Originally Posted by TwilightVestige

How long has this been going on for? If you've just moved than she's probably not used to the new place yet.

Also, is your dog afraid of loud noises? Maybe someone's setting off fire works in the area? Happens all the time in my neighborhood, especially before and after the 4th of July.

A few weeks - she's actually gotten worse in time. Yes, she's terrified of fireworks - probably one of the leading factors is that every time we step outside, a firecracker goes off.

Originally Posted by Breegullbeak

Is the dog looking at any paticular object outside? I know my dog has a fear of Golf bags(or whatever they are called).

Nope. How could we tell - we have to drag her out by force with her trying to go backwards before we even get to the door.

Originally Posted by Nature Girl

My dog used to be afraid of climbing stairs so, I showed him a little tough love. I picked him up and put him in the middle of the stairs as a puppy and left him to find his own way down. He eventually learned to climb up and down the stairs so, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

How long has it been since you moved? it takes some time for a dog to get her bearings and be familiar with the surroundings. I would say just kick the dog out the door or lock her outside in the backyard until she stops whining and reward the dog when it comes inside.

Clever, but as I said, she's a German Shepard. A few weeks. You can't just lock an absolutely terrified German Shepard outside and not expect her to try to force herself in or something - or run away. We don't have a fenced in yard on either sides, either.

Originally Posted by empires228

After the 4th of july my dog wouldn't go near the door let alone outside. For mine we had to kick her out for short periods until she got used to being outside again. Does your dog have any favorate games or toys? For mine its the ball and she would forget about her fear for short periods when she would see her ball.

Negative, she use to love to play fetch and didn't like being inside, (she was always trying to get out before we moved), but now it's like she's completely comatose inside, and the only excitement she gets is when we try to take her outside to go to the bathroom.

[Tom Servo]

Have you tried bringing another dog over and letting both of them be outside together? My german shepard usually overcomes any fears he has when we bring over this other dog, Max. Then, it's all about competition. Or you could just spend alot of time out doors with him/her although you've probably already tried that.