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Question for the doggie mamas

McBridetobeMcBridetobe member
1000 Comments
in Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
We think our pup is scared to go out in the yard for some reason.  She is completely avoiding it.  DH and I were discussing it last night and think maybe she was stung by a bee or something...or maybe our neighbors cats got out again and frightened her.  She is completely herself otherwise, so we don't think she is sick.  We've tried walking down into the yard with her, standing on the deck, throwing her toys off of the deck (which she usually loves), etc.  We've been taking her for multiple walks everyday now, but it is a PITA, especially before work and of course this is the week DH started back to work.  This is the reason we have a fenced in yard for the dog!  Has this ever happened to you?  Any thoughts? 
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Re: Question for the doggie mamas

  • e8jackson6e8jackson6
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My dogs have acted in weird ways like this before as well, but they eventually get over it.Has it been long? She may just need a few days to come back around to it.  I'm sure something just scared her.
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  • Brianne RBrianne R
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hm well I think you're right that something scared her. I'd look around the yard and make sure there are no nests or anything. I know Ellie is now scared of male dog because she was in heat and he was interested.... anyway anytime she sees him know she runs behind my legs and scratches till I pick her up. She may have been frightened by something
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  • McBridetobeMcBridetobe member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    It has been since Friday - not that long, but enough to get annoying.  :P
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  • New_to_PGHNew_to_PGH member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yep! We actually just went through this! Max, our big dog, was crying in the backyard and wouldn't go. I mean, he held it for 2 days! He'd go when we walked him, but we could tell something about the backyard had him upset...turns out there was a dead squirrel in the neighbors yard. Apparently the smell upset his delicate nose, and he just couldn't go, lol. Will she go on a leash/when you're out for a walk? If she's not going at all, you need to call the vet. If it's just the backyard, you'll have to do some investigation to figure out what it is. If she's scared, go back to treat training to make the backyard a rewarding experience
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  • AMK2009AMK2009 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Aww, poor thing!  My mom's dog gets afraid of things randomly, sometimes she's afraid of the yard, sometimes shes afraid of the steps, sometimes she's afraid to walk on the kitchen floor.  It usually doesn't last more than a week or so though. Maybe try walking her around the yard on a leash to show her there's nothing to be afraid of?  Or maybe if you walk with her you'll be able to find what it is she's afraid of? Good luck!
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  • king26king26
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our dog got shot out in the yard years ago and was afriad to go back out after she recouperated.  We started by taking her out in the yard and just sitting with her (I'd sit in a lawn chair or something and she'd sit right beside me).  At first she wouldn't leave my side, but after a week or so if I'd get up and walk around she'd come with me.  FI started giving her treats anytime she went outside in the yard.  It took time (probobly a month or so) but she got comfortable enough with it again and soon was outside being herslef again.  I think I'd try something liek that if I were you. 
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  • McBridetobeMcBridetobe member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the advice!  Jenn, she is going on the leash when we walk her, so that's a good thing!  I am definitely going to try walking her around our yard with the leash on - maybe she can show us the general area that appears to be freaking her out and we might be able to see if something is there.  DH did look in our yard for any dead animals, nests, etc and didn't find anything, but I didn't think about our neighbors.  And I'll try sitting outside with her and giving treats for positive reinforcement. 
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