Puppies
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Afraid to walk outside
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Afraid to walk outside
Hi there,
First day with our 10 week old English Staffordshire Terrier. She’s having issues going potty outside. We put her on a leash to walk out of our apartment to the elevator, and its a struggle getting her to walk willingly. When she finally gets herself down there, it takes a while for her to feel comfortable enough to move again. She just sits stiff. She’s very shakey and doesn’t sniff around to pee or poop. We took her out right after her meal for about 30 mins and she never pooped outside. Seemed she was too scared and had too much anxiety. Understandably so after such a big traumatic day! Any insights or experience with a similar situation? I’d love to help her ease into this in a comforting, yet structured way.
Thanks!
Courtney
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4 Replies
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RELAX. First day everything is new and mysterious including you. She may not be comfortable with the leash. I would start leaving the leash on around the house under supervision. When taking her out for now, I would carry her outside then set her down so she isn’t already upset by the time she gets outside.
I never had this experience with a puppy but with older dogs that were spooky. They would go almost a whole day before relieving themselves. After a long walk they didn’t go then when back in the house they would go. I caught on the dog was so worked up he didn’t go, then when I brought her in it was like thank God that’s over and go on the floor.
So I would have them in for just about 5 minutes let them relax then back out and they would go. Took a while but they came around. You probably can’t do that with the elevator. I would bring her back and put her on those puppy pads if necessary. However, give it a few more days to get used to the surroundings. Also go to Costco and stock up on paper towels.
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I fully agree with Takoda. Going to a new home and leaving everything they have known is stressful for a puppy in the best of circumstances. I can’t imagine also having to deal with learning to walk on a leash, elevators, and I assume you are in a city environment with at least more commotion than the typical back yard. Make it as easy on her as possible, which will likely mean carrying her down the elevator until she starts to relax and also learns what a leash is all about. Practice walking on leash in your apartment so she becomes comfortable with it. Let us know how things go.
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**Update** — Pup is getting much better with her new surroundings! Walks to elevator, and sits patiently in elevator, walks out the door to the outside. She now willingly sniffs out her pees and poops. Now the issue is I want her to walk so she can get her exercise! However, she’s still pulling on the leash to take in the surroundings. She’ll stop and look around, and sometimes sits. Doesn’t walk when it’s time to walk, and looks at me with puppy eyes. Leading her with treats and distracting her is the best I can get, but only for a small stretch. I totally get that she is just a puppy and I will give her all the patience in the world to get her comfortable. I just want to make sure I’M doing the right thing to help her get there. Tips?
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Leash pulling is going to take some time, you’re doing the right thing by rewarding her being close to you. From my personal experience at such young age a flexi leash and a harness are crucial on walks until you can formally teach her leash pressure when she’s ready.
I feel like collars at a very young age when they don’t know how to turn off the pressure yet is unfair and can desensitise them in a way that they’ll need more pressure to yield to the leash in the future.
I understand that during the night and many potty breaks you can’t put the harness on her, I used a 10 foot line and tried my best to limit the amount of pulling by getting her attention and rewarding.
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