Content
- Causes of a Dog Afraid to Walk
- 1. Dog scared due to bad experience
- 2. Dog afraid of bad socialization
- 3. Fear of being a puppy
- Is it really fear or is there another reason behind it?
- How to walk a scared dog
- What to do when the dog is afraid to go out into the street
- The collar and harness
There are several reasons why we come across a dog afraid to walk. If you're reading this PeritoAnimal article, it's because your dog is certainly afraid to go outside. Normally the furry ones love these moments and already get excited when you just take the collar. However, if something bad happens during a walk, it can make the dog suddenly feel scared.
In this article, let's talk about a dog afraid to walk: causes and solutions so you can help him get over the fear of going to the street with a series of tips. However, it is also possible that he is not really afraid, but that it is something else that is preventing him from leaving. In any case, we'll find out together and get you back to trusting and enjoying the rides with you.
Causes of a Dog Afraid to Walk
The causes that lead to a dog afraid to walk they are as different and special as your dog, which means that analyzing the causes of the feeling of fear is complex. If your dog suddenly becomes afraid to walk, you should watch him closely, as his reactions and movements can tell you the real reason for his behavior.
The most common reasons are a bad experience during the tour and poor socialization. It's also possible that your dog is simply scared. Let's look at the different causes of a scared dog from street:
1. Dog scared due to bad experience
During a walk or the last few times you took your dog out on the street, did he get into a fight with another dog? Try to remember if your friend got hurt on the ride or got bitten. He may have been traumatized if he was frightened by some very loud noise, such as from a passing truck or a construction site. Your furry friend may suddenly not want to leave because there is a new construction site in front of your house or because you live in an area with a lot of car traffic. In short, a bad experience can be related to the fact that:
- He got into a fight with a dog
- If startled by some noise
- got lost
- Did you hurt yourself
2. Dog afraid of bad socialization
What does it mean to say my dog is poorly socialized? When your dog is not used to being with other puppies since a puppy, has not learned canine signs and body language, he may start to have problems with other animals. He will then have no interest in meeting or playing with other dogs and, in turn, will not understand their calm signals. This can lead to poor socialization and cause problems and fights during the ride.
3. Fear of being a puppy
If you notice that you are dealing with a dog afraid to walk, another possibility is that it may still not be used to to all new smells, noises and impressions. This is the critical time for him to learn that taking a walk is fun.
To do this, take him to quiet areas and make sure he only walks with well-behaved, social dogs to teach him to behave around adults. It's also essential that you don't overload it with too much "information". Puppies are not very capable of assimilating new experiences, as they have to sleep many hours a day. In any case, remember that puppies can only go out if they are already vaccinated to ensure their health.
Is it really fear or is there another reason behind it?
Are you sure what the dog is afraid of? There are several other reasons why your dog may prefer to stay indoors. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian if your adult dog suddenly doesn't want to go out for a walk. Be aware that dogs can develop symptoms that cause pain when walking. Hip or hip dysplasia, for example, can be a disease in older dogs that prevents them from walking normally.
On the other hand, some dogs avoid going out during the hottest or coldest days. Others are afraid of the night or the noise caused by the wind. If your dog suffers from the heat in the summer, avoid the hottest hours, which can even burn his paws from the excessive heat, and take him outside at night. It's also perfectly normal for your dog not to want to go out when it rains.
How to walk a scared dog
During the walk, your dog needs you by his side. You are his reference and he will be guided by your body language. It is essential that you make you feel safe, so you have no reason to worry. To do this, be firm even if your dog doesn't want to go outside.
Otherwise, he'll notice your insecurity if you keep looking at him all the time, talk to him too much, or if he stops. If he does this, insist with determination for him to walk, but without violence. The dog needs to feel that there is no danger outside his home. When we have a dog afraid to walk, if he stops constantly or is constantly wanting to go home, it is advisable that you buy a harness so that he does not hurt his neck.
Dogs are very sensitive animals, have very keen hearing and hear things we can't even imagine. It is normal for certain situations or noises to scare them, as they perceive in a much more intense way than us.
So that your dog doesn't suffer any trauma or make a bad association with the walks, avoid taking him to the street during a storm, at the time of heavy traffic or during parties with a lot of people on the street. We emphasize that dogs have a lot fear of fireworks. They can be frightened by the sirens of police cars, horns and trucks. So protect your dog from these noises.
For more information, you can consult this other article on 10 reasons to walk your dog.
What to do when the dog is afraid to go out into the street
Help, my dog is afraid to go out on the street! In this situation, the first thing you should do if your dog no longer wants to walk is to consult a specialist. Talk to your veterinarian and ask to be examined. Maybe it's the reason be it some disease or pain that is causing this behavior. If your dog is in good health but still doesn't want to go for a walk, you need to watch him to find out why he's afraid.
The collar and harness
Dogs associate the collar or harness to the walk. It's the first step to going out on the street and your collar is the key to success. if he has any trauma that connects to the ride, he will hide every time you show him the collar. Therefore, we must work on how to prepare to leave. It takes patience and love for him to forget his fear.
First, you can put the collar or harness on him and leave him indoors so he can stay. get used again with these fearless accessories. When you notice he's calm, then it's time to take the first steps. If he doesn't want to go through the door, walk him indoors!
Little by little he'll get used to the collar, and once you notice he's able to get out, take him to quiet areas and make sure the rides are calm and short.
Now that you know what to do in case a dog is afraid to walk, don't miss the following video, where you'll meet 10 Common Mistakes When Walking Your Dog:
If you want to read more articles similar to Dog afraid to walk: causes and solutions, we recommend that you enter our Behavior Problems section.