What to do if your dog is afraid of the street

What to do if your dog is afraid of the street

All dogs love outdoor walks. Well, almost everything. In fact, there are wet noses who experience the most negative emotions even from the thought of being out of the house, and even in the fresh air they are seized by uncontrollable fear. Why the dog is afraid to walk on the street and how to help it in this situation – we will tell you in order.

Why is the dog afraid of the street?

To wean the watchdog to be afraid of the street, you first need to understand the reasons for such a reaction from your pet. According to zoopsychologists, dogs most often feel fear of the street due to the following factors:

  1. Low level of socialization. Dogs that have not passed the socialization stage in time and are not accustomed to communicating with people and animals will be afraid to face them face to face. It is imperative that your pet socializes as a puppy. Having got used to the society of two-legged and four-legged, an adult dog will not experience anxiety.
  2. Age. If your tailed friend is still too young or, on the contrary, old, then his unwillingness to walk can be explained logically. Baby puppies on the street find themselves out of their comfort zone, in a big and noisy world, in which they still find it difficult to navigate. Therefore, kids may be afraid of the street. And elderly dogs suffer from various ailments, their visual acuity is dulled, no longer such a phenomenal scent. Therefore, old people also feel insecure and helpless outside of a cozy home.
  3. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. When a living creature has pain in its limbs and joints, and it is forcibly driven out for a walk, it is unlikely that it will take it with enthusiasm. Dogs should lie on a cozy sofa and warm the bones by a warm battery, and not rush headlong through the park.
  4. Psychological trauma and painful experiences. If your pet has once experienced unpleasant consequences on the street (attack by dogs, cruel treatment of people, almost run over by a car, etc.), then the subsequent exit to the street will be perceived with apprehension and discomfort. A figure in the distance walking a person or the sound of a car can awaken old memories in the dog and make him behave inappropriately.
  5. Bad weather. Which of us likes to experience sweltering heat or chilly cold? So dogs will prefer to wait out the bad weather at home, and go outside only to relieve themselves. Few dogs are not afraid of rain or snow and are ready to jump and play fun year-round. But for most wet noses, comfort is still more important.
  6. Inconvenient accessories. You may not notice this and think that everything is fine, but your dog may experience severe discomfort from an uncomfortable collar or a tight leash. Pay attention to whether the collar is comfortable for the dog, whether it is too tight or chafing. Also watch yourself while walking – do not jerk the dog sharply with or without reason, do not pull the leash so that it is impossible for the dog to turn its head. Do everything to make the walk a pleasure for you and your watchdog.
  7. Host aggression. Yell at your dog if he refuses to go outside? Are you acting nervous and inappropriate? Then there is nothing surprising in the fact that the dog does not want to walk – it is simply afraid of you.
  8. Weak nervous system. If a four-legged from birth has an unstable psyche or “naughty nerves”, any sharp sound or strong smell can provoke a violent reaction. Of course, the doggie does not want to go out for a walk once again, so as not to experience these emotions again.

The parent of a four-legged panties should understand that if the behavior of his ward can harm the people around him or other pets, if the dog tries to run away or moves away for a very long time, even after short walks, there is no need to close our eyes to this. It is important to see a qualified zoopsychologist as soon as possible.

Remember that you can only re-educate and eliminate fears with a puppy. With an adult dog, everything is much more complicated, so you can’t do without professional help.

One way or another, without you, the dog cannot cope with anxiety and fear. Therefore, even if you turn to the services of a zoopsychologist, it is important to support your pet yourself and help him. And how to do it – we’ll talk further.

The dog is afraid of the street: what to do?

  • A dog that does not get enough walks is deprived of not only physical, but also mental activity. Such pets are inferior, fearful and deeply unhappy. Therefore, do not let things go by themselves and lock the dog at home with a calm soul. We need to look for a solution to the problem. And here’s how you can do it.
  • If your pet is afraid of loud street sounds, try to walk in a quieter place. Move closer to crowded places and roads. But it is important that the dog gradually gets used to different sounds, then it will cease to be afraid of them. You can try going out onto the balcony with your dog to listen to the sounds of street life first. Just do not leave your pet alone there, it will be very scary for him.
  • Never show resentment or annoyance at your dog’s reluctance to go outside. Do you think a scared dog will listen to you more willingly? You are deeply mistaken. The dog will obey only when you approach it with love, affection and understanding. And, of course, with sweets.

Do not punish your pet under any circumstances, do not drag it into the street by force. This will only make things worse and will certainly not solve the problem of fear in the four-legged.

  • Make sure your dog’s collar is normal, not causing pain or constricting his throat. Try to give the dog a little more freedom for a walk – loosen the grip and make the leash longer.
  • Walk early in the morning and late in the evening when there are few cars and people on the street. Try to choose calm walking areas.
  • Do not forget to talk to your pet, praise, and encourage. The owner’s gentle voice has a calming effect on the dogs. Try to distract your pet from negative thoughts with fun games and treats.

However, don’t confuse support with pity. The dog will go outside, get scared and pull you home. You do not need to stroke her, caress, take her in your arms – otherwise the pet will understand it as if you approve of his behavior. It is enough just to talk to the dog, offer her a game, support.

  • Distract the dog by practicing commands. You need to learn commands at home, and the street is a great opportunity to work them out. This distracts the dog very well from the terrors of the street. A good example is when dogs are taught to shoot on the court. While one person is shooting, the owner distracts the dog with basic commands: lie down, sit, stand, give a paw, etc. The point is that during a loud noise (shot) the dog remains focused on the owner and is not so scared. 

Even when you and your dog are learning to cross the road while you wait for a traffic light, repeat the “sit” or “beside” commands to keep the dog’s attention focused on the owner.

If the first attempt was unsuccessful, and the dog behaved in the same cowardly manner during the walk, despite your efforts, do not give up, Moscow was not built right away. Repeat the same actions day after day, be close to your wet-nosed friend, sincerely support him. After a while, the dog will understand that there is nothing terrible on the street and that you, his beloved owner, are always with him and do not leave him in trouble. And with qualified help, things will go much faster.

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