Old dog too frightened to go for walks?

Question

HI, I live in the countryside and have a confident 4yrold dacshund and a nervous 10yrold labrador. He has always been nervous (of male dogs, bangs, thunder), but has been fine in this area (lived here 3yrs) where we walk out straight into a private field, no other dogs.

Recently he has been refusing to go for a walk, he is to terrified to go out the front door, he cries, drools, and runs away. I can't see any change (except the seasons) and my other one is fine.
When I can persuade him to come he is fine too, but he usually won't, he is not off his food or anything. Problem is he will only do his business on the walks, not in the garden, I am afraid he will bust something.

The vet won't help and I can't get a dog shrink. Please help because he is my lovely, gorgeous, stubborn old weirdo!

thanks

Answer 1

Does he like food or have a favorite toy? Try giving him some treats (good ones like hot dogs or cheese) when he is nearing the door and when he exits. Don't yell or tug. Talk nicely & persuade him to walk out. When he does, make a HUGE deal out of it praise like crazy. On the walks give him treats and continue the praise. Sit down on the curb for awhile with him & let him watch people and cars go by. Do you take both dogs out together? usually dogs are persuded by each other also. If he likes to play ball or something take him out front on a leash and play out there. Feed him out there. Do whatever you can do make the front door and walks the best thing in the world. Make it fun for him. Just whatever you do, don't get fustrated with him because you'll be making it worse. Something must of freaked him out last time he went on a walk. My mom has a lab that for awhile wouldn't go out the front door or go through it because he got his tail slammed in the door, so each time he associated walks with pain. But over time and constant persistantince, he got it. I assume your dog is submissive since he's afraid. So i would take this approach over showing dominance. Good luck!

Answer 2

This probably gonna sound completely crazy, but I sometimes use this technique called Emotional Freedom Technique which is usually used on humans on my cat. It has had some interesting results, it reduced some pain she had in her ribs (she is completely recovered from that now) and when I do it she seems to go completely relaxed, soppy and flat out. This is a link about emotional freedom technique it does sound very bizarre, but does work. You do the same thing as what it says on the website, except you gently tap the top of the dogs head and tap down with 2 fingers each side of the spine. Tap for about 2 minutes. Might be website about animal EFT some where. I've heard they've used this technique on animals. I've used it my self on my anxiety and depression and has work really well. It gets rid of negative emotions very quickly. Hope this helps even though it sounds bit crazy.

Answer 3

Are you sure he is medically fine??? He eats and drinks well?
He pees and poops well?

At age 10 he is getting up in age. He may hurt and doesn't feel like going for walks like he used to.

Have you tried getting him to go out a different door?? There may have been something that has scared him when he was outside that you don't know about.

Do you let the dogs outside by themselves??? Never let your dogs go out by themselves. You never know what can happen to them!! If you live in the country there are animals that can attack your dogs if out by themselves.

Don't make the poor thing go out if he doesn't want to go. It's not worth putting the poor dog through that if he gets that upset!!

Just let him out in the garden with your supervision and he will do his business!! It might take awhile but he will go when he has to bad enough!!

good Luck!

P.S. I would look your dog over really well to make sure he isn't hurting somewhere. Look at his legs to see if there could be any swelling or open areas? Look at his paws. Do you see a sticker in it or a stone bruise?? Does he have pain in his hips?? As old as he is I am sure he has arthritis!! He will have worse pain early in the mornings, late in the evenings or when the weather is cool or cold.

If he would have arthritis there is medication you can give him. Ask your Vet about it and ask if he thinks your dog could have arthritis??

Just a thought!!

Good Luck

Answer 4

Poor old boy, have you tried Bach Flower Rescue Remedy? put a couple of drops on his tongue about 5 minutes before trying to take him out, better still mix it in his water bowl (it won't harm you're other dog) so that he gets it all throughout the day, I don't say that this is a miracle cure but it does help, 2 of my dogs are terrified of thunder + we live near M.O.D land where the army practice, you know anti-tank guns etc, really noisy! Anyway I give Rescue Remedy on a
regular basis and it does calm them down quite a bit.

Take your dog to a different vet also, one who is more understanding.

Answer 5

See a new vet, and don't make an issue of things just now as it will only get worse, leave your back door open so he can get to the garden if he wants. When my Ben hit 10 he didn't want to go for walks either so I left the door open and he was quite happy.

Answer 6

i have a German shepherd who is scared of the hoover and certain noises, something is bothering him and at his age he is probably stubborn, have you tried taking his favourite toy out on the walks or making a big fuss of him ,if you walk him on a lead maybe try without letting him think he,s in control or try walking him on his own a few times.otherwise does he have someone/a friend etc he likes that visits who could try and see if he,ll walk 4 them. and lastly give your local dog rescue place or the r.s.p.c.a a call and see if they have any suggestions as they deal with dogs who have a variety of problems and unlike your vet would try and help you.

Answer 7

Dogs can experience a condition that's the equivalent of alzheimer's in people. It sounds like that could be part of your boy's problem - your vet should be able to help. There are medications for it. If your vet won't help you, can you try a different one?

Answer 8

Yorkies tend to think of they're super canines. My Yorkie protects us from squirrels, birds, deer, and chipmunks besides as each man or woman and dogs who walks previous the domicile. She's so humorous. she would have the ability to additionally bark and chase a blowing leaf interior the backyard because of the fact she thinks that's a chipmunk. She infrequently barked her first year because of the fact she wasn't quite conscious of the international round her. (We had saved her allowable area small until she replaced into domicile experienced.) as quickly as she replaced into domicile experienced, she had administration of the kitchen and eating room which has a deck door she would have the ability to seem out into our back backyard. Then, our non violent existence replaced into over. Our quiet little yorkie grew to become our fierce attack dogs.

Answer 9

I had this problem with an elderly jack russel, he would be full of enthusiasm but stopped at the door. I believe the problem was failing eyesight, so things outside no longer looked familiar, and vehicles &c. could only be heard when they should have been visible

Answer 10

well he is 10 years old! he is probably just getting old and knackered! and that is being honest! change your vet and get a second opinion! but i suspect he is just tired of walking! and also to be fair if he was desperate to go out for the loo he would go dont worry to much just do as i said and change vets, get another view then take it from there!

p.s if your vet is being unhelpful now i would advise you to change as you dont want that kind of treatment with a new pup!!!