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My golden is afraid of going ouside

549 views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  Sweet Girl 
#1 ·
Hi guys, I received lots of useful advice in these days. Thanks for all of that. Today I tried to take him outside for potty. He looked so scared and won't even move. He lay next to the door and waited to get in. Even with the treats he wouldn't not come any closer to me. Is it normal? I know it might be his first time going out. I thought puppy likes discovering new things
 
#2 ·
I carried my guy out when he was little. We had some steps off the deck going into the back yard and also brick steps going into the front yard. He was also scared of the dark it appeared. Night sounds scared him so much. I think puppies like to get into things but they also have fear which is good at times. It can help keep them out of trouble sometimes. I'd carry your pup out right now until he gets used to outside.
 
#3 ·
Some puppies are a little more timid than others, and some puppies will pick the strangest things to be scared of. Its definitely very common for puppies to be scared at that age. When Piper was that age, I carried her outside and didn't put her down until she was in the exact place where I wanted her to go potty. 1, it helped avoid accidents on the way outside 2, there are tons of dogs in my neighborhood, and I didn't want to have a surprise run-in we weren't prepared for, and 3, I didn't want to overwhelm her

My childhood dog, Buddy, was terrified of grass growing up, because we grew up in a desert area out west, and the breeder didn't really have grass. So when we brought him home and took him outside for the first time, he was totally scared of that tall green stuff in our yard!

Your puppy is in a totally new environment, with lots of new sounds and smells, that can be overwhelming. I'd make sure puppy isn't alone when you take him outside, and that you are very close by, to make him feel more secure. Taking treats with you, just to provide positive reinforcement of activities you want him to do, like walk on, or even just inspect grass, can help to. It helps them associate scary activities with positive things. Piper is a more timid pup, she would get nervous around strange objects (recycle bins, strollers, the mailman cart, furniture that people leave on the side of the road), especially at night. At first, I always had treats with me, to help her be more comfortable sniffing and inspecting those strange objects. I also stayed within a couple feet of her to help her feel secure.
 
#5 ·
Just carry him out. Walk around a bit holding him, making him feel secure. Then put him down where you want him to pee. Stay close by, speak to him in a bright, confident voice. You have to be confident so he feels confident. But don't give him the choice not to go out. Don't try to convince him with treats. No begging or pleading. Just bring him out.
 
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