My dog is afraid to go outside: dealing with fearful dogs

November 12, 10:05 AMDC Dog Whisperer ExaminerSusie Homire

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Such a happy dog—her name is Katie and she loves everyone, the shelter volunteer tells you. A little shy at first, this pretty girl is now wagging her tail and kissing your face.  Katie is going to have a new life with you, in the nation’s capital.  She’s hesitant about the car, but lets you pick her up and put her in.  On the way home, she’s very quiet lying in the backseat, not moving a muscle as far as you can tell, but her eyes are wide open. When you pull up to the house, Katie leaps out of the car, nearly pulling the leash out of your hand, only to startle and back away from every noise.  Head down, tail between her legs, she slinks inside and wiggles in behind the sofa, crouching there and shaking.  No amount of coaxing will convince her to come out.

Now what?  She’s terrified.  This is where many dog owners make a crucial mistake, crooning to their dogs in a soft voice, as they would a child—it’s okay, Sweetie, no one is going to hurt you.  Come here Baby, what a good girl…  But dogs are dogs; they are not children, even though we may treat them as such.  For one thing, they don’t understand English (or any other human language for that matter).  We have to communicate to our dogs in a language they understand. Dogs do read body language, and they do pick up on our energy.  If we praise a dog when she’s fearful, we are actually rewarding that fearful state of mind.  We’re telling her it’s GOOD to be afraid. And we’re perpetuating the fearful behavior.  

Familiar scenario? Most behavioral issues, including fear, arise because there is a lack of leadership in the home.  Dogs don’t have to live in fear—and what a terrible way to go through life. All dogs need a strong leader.  It doesn’t matter if they are wild, feral, or pets—they all need the same thing.  For our domesticated canine companions, that means US.  We have to be the leader of our pack.  Our fearful dog won’t feel safe until she knows she has a calm, stable leader to protect her.

Then what should we do?  First, don’t reward her fear.  Don’t baby her, and tell her she’s a good dog.   Second, don’t let her run away and hide from her fear.  Put a leash on her and bring her out from behind the sofa.  Make her stay in the room with you.  Now—and this may be the hardest part—ignore her, don’t talk to her; just do whatever you need to do—answer emails, pay bills, as if she were not even there.  Once she realizes she has not been led to her demise after all, she will start to calm down. She’ll sit, and eventually lie down, and relax. THIS is the time to reward her, with a GOOD GIRL and a belly rub.