Rescue dog scared of outside world- getting him to walk
Discussion
Hiya all,
We're in the process of rehoming an ex-racing greyhound from a greyhound rehoming centre. We've had him over for a couple of weekends, and generally he's an absolute gent, sleeps in the right place, always goes for a piddle outside on the grass, waits until he's given food before eating, doesn't snatch for food or counter-surf, and doesn't (so far) chew..
Albeit its still very early days and he's still getting used to the house and living with humans etc..
The problem however, is that he is scared of traffic, to the point that whilst he is completely calm and relaxed in the house and treats it as an extension of his 'crate' (hence doesn't soil it), he is becoming extremely nervous of leaving the house to go for a walk alongto the nearest green- ...to the point where we're struggling to get him to leave the house-
Now I have no intention of using force to get him to go out, and I'm reluctant to use bribes, however we're getting a bit stumped as to how we get him to go for his walk-
We were hoping that reaching the green would provide him with the reward he needed for braving the 'scary traffic', however this, even with additional encouragement and praise from ourselvs when we get there doesn't seem to be working, he seems to be increasinly deciding that outside are 'scary things on wheels' and he'd rather not go there..
advice we've been given so far is that he spooks from traffic and freezes, is just to stop, and wait, and then continue walking and praise him when he's walking again (ie not to turn and go back) ...but he seems to just be becoming more and more reluctant to venture outside..
Appreciate any suggestions from dog or greyhound guru's...
We're in the process of rehoming an ex-racing greyhound from a greyhound rehoming centre. We've had him over for a couple of weekends, and generally he's an absolute gent, sleeps in the right place, always goes for a piddle outside on the grass, waits until he's given food before eating, doesn't snatch for food or counter-surf, and doesn't (so far) chew..
Albeit its still very early days and he's still getting used to the house and living with humans etc..
The problem however, is that he is scared of traffic, to the point that whilst he is completely calm and relaxed in the house and treats it as an extension of his 'crate' (hence doesn't soil it), he is becoming extremely nervous of leaving the house to go for a walk alongto the nearest green- ...to the point where we're struggling to get him to leave the house-
Now I have no intention of using force to get him to go out, and I'm reluctant to use bribes, however we're getting a bit stumped as to how we get him to go for his walk-
We were hoping that reaching the green would provide him with the reward he needed for braving the 'scary traffic', however this, even with additional encouragement and praise from ourselvs when we get there doesn't seem to be working, he seems to be increasinly deciding that outside are 'scary things on wheels' and he'd rather not go there..
advice we've been given so far is that he spooks from traffic and freezes, is just to stop, and wait, and then continue walking and praise him when he's walking again (ie not to turn and go back) ...but he seems to just be becoming more and more reluctant to venture outside..
Appreciate any suggestions from dog or greyhound guru's...
Does he have a favorite food? Have you got any liver? Just thinking of distraction - i.e. you keep the treat in front of him then when the car goes past, he gets the treat. He would then, hopefully, associate cars with his treat.
I did this with our hoover for our puppy - the downside mind is now when I hoover she comes running along and gets in the way as she wants her treat!
I did this with our hoover for our puppy - the downside mind is now when I hoover she comes running along and gets in the way as she wants her treat!
Quinny said:
I'd try a bit of de-sensitisation...
Don't hesitate, or make a fuss, just put his lead on and lead him outside.. Then stand by your gate or on the corner, anywhere where cars are going to go by....
Just stand there for 10 minutes, don't speak or offer treats, as it'll re-inforce his anxiety..
Once he's calm and not so frightened just walk him back indoors.. Again no fuss take the lead off and do whatever you would normally.. Try this for a week or so, and see if he improves
Only offer, fuss or treats when he's calm, if you offer them when he's wound up it'll just make him worse..
^^^ This.Don't hesitate, or make a fuss, just put his lead on and lead him outside.. Then stand by your gate or on the corner, anywhere where cars are going to go by....
Just stand there for 10 minutes, don't speak or offer treats, as it'll re-inforce his anxiety..
Once he's calm and not so frightened just walk him back indoors.. Again no fuss take the lead off and do whatever you would normally.. Try this for a week or so, and see if he improves
Only offer, fuss or treats when he's calm, if you offer them when he's wound up it'll just make him worse..
Stand still and completely ignore the traffic (or the dogs reaction). The dog will take his cue from you.
Rotary Madness said:
Just like to say, well done for rehoming a rescue dog, more people should do it!
No worries, once I read more into what happens to the majority of dogs/greyhounds who aren't lucky enough to be rehomed there was no other option for us..Main issue now, is that I need him to go out for his evening piddle/poo.... and he's just staring at me from the duvet... even cheese isn't working...
All the above are good suggestions as different things work for different dogs. My dog was also a rescue dog and had the same reaction to cars and jet engines - jet engines is obviously not something your average dog comes in contact with, but as I was in the RAF at the time I got her and living on an RAF station it was a bit of a problem!
The suggestion about desensitising worked with her - the post above about sitting beside the road was exactly what I did. It took a while and I thought it wouldn't work, but one day I suddenly noticed she was fine. (As for the jet engines, I kennelled her with the on-airfield RAF Police during the day with the same results).
However, she's still terrified of thunder and lightning and nothing seems to work there.
Rescue dogs can be hard work but mine was definitely worth it.
The suggestion about desensitising worked with her - the post above about sitting beside the road was exactly what I did. It took a while and I thought it wouldn't work, but one day I suddenly noticed she was fine. (As for the jet engines, I kennelled her with the on-airfield RAF Police during the day with the same results).
However, she's still terrified of thunder and lightning and nothing seems to work there.
Rescue dogs can be hard work but mine was definitely worth it.
similar problem with one of mine and fireworks. he is so terrified of them he won't take any treats or the like, he just hides, shaking so much it looks like hes going to have a heart attack.
Tried giving him calming pills/sweets, which helped a little but not a lot.
Tried comforting him, tried ignoring him and the bangs but to no avail.
He is better than when we first got him, the first couple of years i kid you not he would not leave the house for about 2 weeks!
I no longer know what to do, i just give him the calming things and try to ignore the whole situation as i do believe if you make a fuss it makes it worse.
Sorry though not much help
Tried giving him calming pills/sweets, which helped a little but not a lot.
Tried comforting him, tried ignoring him and the bangs but to no avail.
He is better than when we first got him, the first couple of years i kid you not he would not leave the house for about 2 weeks!
I no longer know what to do, i just give him the calming things and try to ignore the whole situation as i do believe if you make a fuss it makes it worse.
Sorry though not much help
Ta all.. he's lying kaput on his duvet at the moment, and is showing no inclination towards standing up, short of physically picking all 30kgs of him up and forcing him outside I don't think he's going to be going out tonight...
- best be up early tomorrow then and open the back door so he can at least go out then if he needs/chooses to..
- best be up early tomorrow then and open the back door so he can at least go out then if he needs/chooses to..
WTF is it with this USA "crate" bollcoks?
I've never had to "crate" my dogs - I think its disgusting! Lock them away for 20 hours and let them come out and play and eat for a couple? Utterly sick.
My dogs have free reign of the house - they have decided their own boundaries between them. It works very well. There is always at least one dog on patrol upstairs and another downstairs. Out of three dogs the house is very well guarded.
They don't chew the house up, and defecate in the back garden, not in the house.
How could anybody cage their dog? ...and then lose the advantage of having the dog as a primary protector of your home against scum?
I've never had to "crate" my dogs - I think its disgusting! Lock them away for 20 hours and let them come out and play and eat for a couple? Utterly sick.
My dogs have free reign of the house - they have decided their own boundaries between them. It works very well. There is always at least one dog on patrol upstairs and another downstairs. Out of three dogs the house is very well guarded.
They don't chew the house up, and defecate in the back garden, not in the house.
How could anybody cage their dog? ...and then lose the advantage of having the dog as a primary protector of your home against scum?
There is nothing wrong with reward based training - far better than the good bashing dogs used to get.
The trick is to think like a dog - dont reward negative behaviour, praise positive etc or you will only reinforce begative behaviours.
For instance ,my male GSD does not like the vet at all ,and will generally act up and struggle ,given the chance. When my ex used to take him ,she fell into the trap of "Good boy,everythings ok" and a pat or a cuddle when he was struggling ,thus giving him the impression he is doing the right thing.
She had to learn to be strict with him ,and a "No" when playing up ,and praise when he was calm and approachable.
It has taken time ,but he is now much better at the vets ,and doesn't need to be muzzled anymore.
Quinny's advice is good - just a gentle acclimatisation a bit at a time will work wonders.
Well done for getting a rescue dog - both my GSD's were rescues ,one from abuse and one from someone who just couldn't cope. Though it can be hard work, the rewards more than make up for it IMO.
(Greyhounds are about the only dog where you see more cases of abuse than GSD's ,sadly)
The trick is to think like a dog - dont reward negative behaviour, praise positive etc or you will only reinforce begative behaviours.
For instance ,my male GSD does not like the vet at all ,and will generally act up and struggle ,given the chance. When my ex used to take him ,she fell into the trap of "Good boy,everythings ok" and a pat or a cuddle when he was struggling ,thus giving him the impression he is doing the right thing.
She had to learn to be strict with him ,and a "No" when playing up ,and praise when he was calm and approachable.
It has taken time ,but he is now much better at the vets ,and doesn't need to be muzzled anymore.
Quinny's advice is good - just a gentle acclimatisation a bit at a time will work wonders.
Well done for getting a rescue dog - both my GSD's were rescues ,one from abuse and one from someone who just couldn't cope. Though it can be hard work, the rewards more than make up for it IMO.
(Greyhounds are about the only dog where you see more cases of abuse than GSD's ,sadly)
Quinny said:
gadzookz said:
WTF is it with this USA "crate" bollcoks?
Eh??? Who mentioned anything about 20 hours FFS
It's his bed, the door is always open, he just goes in and out at will...
The only time its used as a cage, ie with the door shut is when he's travelling in the car.. Safer for him and us..
And fireworks night, when he runs and hides in there anyway..
I have two rescues and they both have issues.
One (half akita half alsation) loathes rain, I have to drag her out when its raining. She's also terrified or fireworks and thunder. She tries to hide in shoes, cusions, books.....in fact anything, even if its a 10th the size she is.
The other, an neopolitan mastiff won't go downstairs in my house (three story, office and games room downstairs). Main floor and bedroom floor fine....try to get her downstairs, she'll break yer arm first.
One (half akita half alsation) loathes rain, I have to drag her out when its raining. She's also terrified or fireworks and thunder. She tries to hide in shoes, cusions, books.....in fact anything, even if its a 10th the size she is.
The other, an neopolitan mastiff won't go downstairs in my house (three story, office and games room downstairs). Main floor and bedroom floor fine....try to get her downstairs, she'll break yer arm first.
gadzookz said:
WTF is it with this USA "crate" bollcoks?
What are you talking about?It's a Greyhound Rescue dog. I'm not going to say they have been abused. But when you get one of those the first things you find out is that they are almost like puppies. They don't know what stairs are, they are shocked by wood floors, have never seen the outdoors, and most importantly they can't sleep without "their" crate. For most of them that was the only place they ever had.
Friends of mine who have them always keep the crate in a nice safe and quiet area. Gives a place for the dog to settle if someone starts to upset them.
Woo Hoo! - he's just been out in the garden for a piddle & poop
Doesn't solve the whole walking thing, but does mean I can go to sleep with less risk of coming down to ...a clear up operation...
Will try and work on desensitisation with him- what ever we do I think its going to take some time and patience as we learn to speak dog, and he learns how to be in a human pack..
Doesn't solve the whole walking thing, but does mean I can go to sleep with less risk of coming down to ...a clear up operation...
Will try and work on desensitisation with him- what ever we do I think its going to take some time and patience as we learn to speak dog, and he learns how to be in a human pack..
Edited by HiAsAKite on Monday 31st August 00:00
Quinny said:
Bloody hell Cazzer, there must be about 25 stone between that pair
Who takes who for a walk???
Not quite 19.5 stone between em. Who takes who for a walk???
My 5ft 8 stone wife takes em for a walk. So do I.
They don't pull her, oh no....me? I'm fair game.
Luckily I got a lot of land I can just let em off to run round like nutters on.
Edited by cazzer on Monday 31st August 00:02
Edited by cazzer on Monday 31st August 00:04
te though....so thats a plus 
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