Doggie door? Check. Puppy pads? Check. Doggy park nearby? Check. So why doesn’t Fido want to go outside? It’s a common question and one that has several possible answers.
Common Reasons Your Dog Doesn’t Want to Go Outside
There are a number of reasons your dog may not want to go outside. Identifying the exact reason for such behavior will make it easier to solve the problem. Some of the reasons for such behavior are listed below
Your Dog Is Scared
Fear is a common reason dogs don’t want to go outside. They may be afraid of loud noises, such as thunder or fireworks. Or they may be afraid of other animals, such as cats or squirrels.
Your Dog Is Sick
If your dog is sick, he may not want to go outside. He may be too weak to walk or may be in pain. If you think your dog is sick, take him to the vet.
It Is Too Hot or Too Cold
Another reason your dog may not want to go outside is if it’s too hot or too cold. If it’s too hot, your dog may be panting and trying to find a cool spot to lie down. If it’s too cold, your dog may be shivering and trying to find a warm spot. If the weather is extreme, bring your dog inside and wait for the weather to improve.
Your Dog Is Bored
If your dog is bored, he may not want to go outside. He may be bored of walking the same route every day or playing in the same yard. Try mixing things up by taking your dog to a new park or hiking trail. You can also try playing new games with him in the yard, such as fetch
Negative experiences
Your dog may have had a negative experience outside, such as getting lost or being attacked by another animal. As a result, he may be hesitant to go outside again. If your dog has had a negative experience, you’ll need to help him feel comfortable outside again.
Sound sensitivity
Dogs with sound sensitivity may refuse to go outside because of the noise from cars, trucks, or other animals. If your dog is averse to noise, you’ll need to undertake treatments to help him overcome his fear.
How do I get my dog to go outside?
Once you know the reason why your dog doesn’t want to go outside, you can take the necessary steps to solve the problem.
If your Dog Is Scared you’ll need to help him overcome his fear. You can do this by taking things slowly and exposing him to the things he’s afraid of in a controlled environment. For example, if your dog is afraid of loud noises, you can expose him to low levels of noise first and gradually increase the volume over time.
If your Dog Is Sick you’ll need to take him to the vet. The vet will be able to diagnose the problem and provide treatment.
If It Is Too Hot or Too Cold you’ll need to bring your Dog inside and wait for the weather to improve.
If your Dog Is Bored you’ll need to try mixing things up by taking him to a new park or hiking trail. You can also try playing new games with him in the yard, such as fetch.
If your Dog Had a Negative Experience you’ll need to help him feel comfortable outside again. You can do this by taking things slowly and exposing him to positive experiences outside.
If your Dog Is Sound Sensitive you’ll need to help him overcome his fear. You can do this by exposing him to low levels of noise first and gradually increasing the volume over time.
What You Shouldn’t Do?
- Forcing your dog to go outside: This will only make the problem worse and could lead to your dog becoming aggressive.
- Punishing and yelling at your dog: This will only make your dog more scared and less likely to want to go outside.
- Ignoring the problem: This will only make the problem worse and could lead to your dog becoming aggressive.
No matter the reason, there are solutions available to get your dog comfortable going outside again. Slowly introduce him to the outdoors and be patient as he adjusts. With time and patience, your dog will be back to his usual self in no time.
