Dog's fear of outside is making her sick?

[poodlemom]

I have a 3 year old female spayed poodle who is suddenly afraid to go outside! She is such a sweet and good girl that she won't even go in the house, she will hold it!

We think she may have hurt or back or hip a week ago when she was outside playing and after that she has been at the Vet's every day. She held for so long that she became constipated and got a UTI so she's been treated for that and it still on pain medication and a steroid. The poor thing is miserable and I don't know what to do for her.

I've tried just sitting outside with her in my lap, offering her favorite treats, leaving her inside and going out without her, walking her on a leash, offering toys. She has always been a happy, sweet girl and I am at my wits end with what to do for her.

Any ideas are really appreciated!

[Karen]

Do you have any idea what precipitated her fear?

Do take her outside for walks for a half an hour after she eats, and stay out until she does her business. As soon as she eliminates outside give her a treat, and lots of praise. No lap time outdoors until she has done her business, as cruel as that may seem, coddling her will reinforce she should be afraid. Be patient - even bring a book with you to be able to outlast her outside, and praise praise praise. Take her out for a short walk, the next day a longer one, and even longer. work on any commands she knows when you are outside, run her through sit, down, stay, spin - whatever she knows so she associates being out there with happy things, and with a "job" to do.

[Freedom]

I agree with Karen, once the meds kick in she is going to feel better physically and you need to go back to potty training 101 to help her through this.

For constipation, you can add a spoonful of canned pumpkin to her food -- make sure you buy canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling includes spices, some of which are toxic to dogs.

The meds for the UTI should help in about 3 days she will be feeling better. Make sure you keep up with the course of meds to the end, though, as the bacteria will still be present until she finishes those. She may be holding it in because with a UTI it hurts to 'go,' so the meds will address this.

Did the vet take any xrays for her back or hips? Or do you think that is going to just need some time to heal?

Once she is feeling well, prepare and keep a baggie of high value treats in the fridge, ready to go. I use cut up hot dog, cut up cracker barrel extra sharp cheddar cheese, and boiled boneless skinless chicken breast. These are SMALL; one hot dog makes about 80 treats. Keep a baggie of each in the fridge, and take one when you take her outside for walkies. Get excited about going out! Walk her (no standing still, no sitting in a chair) and only stop when she has to go. Once she finishes, have a PAWTY! Jump up and down, clap, dance, smile, sing, PRAISE HER, and treat, treat, TREAT! The treats are small, so you can give her 3 or more. If your dog and your neighbors are looking at you like you are nuts, you are doing it right; nothing else counts, lol.

You will be reconditioning her, desensitizing her, letting her learn that being outside, doing her business outside, is FUN!

Let us know your progress!

[poodlemom]

Thank you for your help. We think that she hurt herself somehow while she was playing outside with my daughters Schnauzer. I was outside with her but didn't actually see what happened she just came scurrying up to me with her tail tucked and drawing her back leg up. We thought she had hurt her leg. The Vet did x-rays and extensive blood work and found nothing conclusive. There was some inflammation of 2 discs in her back so we think she may have pulled or strained her back which scared her. They think she is going to take time to heal but I'm concerned about holding everything in. My Vet is great and is concerned but thinks we are making progress with her medically.

She will not potty inside the house - she just holds it. Sometimes for 2 or 3 days!! I think I would feel better if she did have accidents, I could retrain her but she just holds and holds and that can't be healthy. I read that it wasn't good to carry them out but to leash them so that's what we've done and now she sits down and won't move. She's a stubborn little sweetie.

I have offered her favorite treats to her and can't even get her close to the door. She has become lethargic possibly side effects of the meds, I can't believe what a different dog she has become in just a week. She still has her sweet loving disposition and she does eat her food.

I tried to get a photo of my sweet girl to post here but I don't know if it will work or not. Thank you for your help!

[Freedom]

She has become lethargic possibly side effects of the meds,

What meds is she on? One of my dogs, Lacey, had a really bad reaction to buproprion, I had to stop it and the vet marked not to give that to her ever again. We found alternatives.

If she has back issues, she may need to see a specialist to determine the extent of her injuries. It sounds like it hurts for her to squat.

Poor girl.

Love seeing your photo of the 2 -- on the sofa, naturally, best seat in the house, lol. I'm curious, did she jump up there herself? Or did you place her there?

[poodlemom]

Thank you Freedom. That photo is a couple of weeks ago with my grand pup. She has always been able to hop the sofa but she doesn't jump on beds or anything else. She was able to go up and down the stairs but I have put up puppy gates for now, no stairs for her. Of course right now, I pick her up and put her down when she wants.

She is on Tramadol for the pain and Prednisone for the inflammation. She is a tiny bit better today. I gave her pumpkin and she went potty this morning for the first time in 2 days!! She was terrified, shaking like a leaf and I picked her up and put her down on the sidewalk about 2 houses down from ours and she went! We had a party in the street!!!! Treats and praise and kisses!!! That's it though, she hasn't gone after dinner tonight. She has whined a few times and I thought she might need to go out but no such luck.

Back to the Vet in the morning so he can check her out again.