Since it just sprinkled my 4 yr old Jack/Chihuahua won't go beyond the steps outside the door. The first month after adopting her she had accidents, but has been great until now. The thunder scared her the first time and I thought it was that reason that she would not go out. It warmed up and dried up and she was good. We just had a little sprinkle and she won't even walk out where it was damp. Treats got her about 6 ft from the back door, but no further. I have read where you can stand out for 20 minutes or so and they still won't go if it is wet. Please help, I don't know what to do. I even repeatedly put her out 20 ft on the cement and she ran like the wind back to the door.
Thank you writing in to us! We are sorry to hear about your predicament.
Fear of thunder and rain is a relatively common phobia and with the early and aggressive intervention it can usually be corrected.
Here are a few pointers:
1) Do not encourage her state of mind. i.e. NEVER give treats or console a dog who is anxious. Ignore her. Do your best to block the behavior before it escalates. 2) Take her through obedience training and make sure she knows that you are her pack leader, it will help reassure her when she is stressed. 3) Try to address root cause. Work out if it is 'water' that she fears or the sound associated with rain or a storm. Once you know this you can start building up her confidence- get a cassette that plays rain, play it softly as she eats, slowly increase the volume and frequency of playing it. If it is water she is fearful of, then start with having her in an empty bath tub- give her treats, make it a positive experience. Then slowly increase the water level to get her accustomed to it. 4) Try not to anticipate her becoming anxious. Dogs have a funny way of picking up on their human's emotion. If you're anxious that she's going to get anxious- she will feed off you and get worse. 5) Take her out for walks when you know that there is a light drizzle looming. If you can organize having a doggie play date, even better! 6) You could consider having a sheltered area in your yard with a doggie litter box and train her to use this.
I hope this helps you and I hope you are successful with your training. Good luck! Please do keep us posted on your progress.
Just so you are aware, my dog is 4 years old and recently adopted. It is not like training a puppy. She definitely has a mind of her own. She waits for me to go out before her and is submissive, except for stepping on the wet ground, even the cement. I tried her on the covered dry cement with no avail. She keeps going to the back step and stands there even after I bring her back and put her out on the cement or the dampish dirt. She has peed on my carpet 2 times since we have had some rain. I'm frustrated! She definitely doesn't like to touch her feet to the ground. I haven't tried the bath yet as I figure she would be even worse than standing on the damp ground and I think that would make her more apprehensive. If she were a puppy, I think it would be easier.
It is unfortunate that your dog is putting you through this ordeal. Even though she is 4 years old, I think it would still be possible to recondition her. Maybe try feeding her on a wet surface; the food might work as a good distraction? How has she been with grooming/bathing? I do think the bathtub trick will help ease her anxiety- just make sure you do it in baby steps. Also, have you considered litter box training? This might be an easy solution for you.
It would be great if you could let us know how she is getting along after a few weeks of reconditioning. All the best!
