What to do if the dog is afraid of the street

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

1. Low level of socialization. Dogs that have not gone through 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 extremely important that the pet is socialized as early as puppyhood. Once accustomed to the company of bipeds and quadrupeds, an adult dog will not experience anxiety.

2. Age. If your tailed friend is still too small or, conversely, old, then his reluctance to walk can be explained logically. Silly 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 can be afraid of the street. And older dogs suffer from various sores, their visual acuity is dulled, and their sense of smell is not so phenomenal. Therefore, old people also feel unsafe and helpless outside a comfortable home.

3. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system. When a living creature has pain in the limbs and joints, and he is forcibly taken out for a walk, he is unlikely to take it with delight. Dogs should lie down on a cozy sofa and warm their bones by a warm battery, and not rush headlong through the square.

4. Psychological trauma and painful experience. If your pet has once experienced unpleasant consequences on the street (dog attack, human abuse, almost crushed by a car, etc.), then the subsequent exit to the street will be perceived with apprehension and discomfort. And the figure of a person walking in the distance or the sound of a car can awaken old memories in the dog and make him behave inappropriately.

5. Bad weather. Who among us likes to experience sweltering heat or chilly cold? So the dogs will prefer to wait out the bad weather at home, and go outside only to relieve themselves. It is rare that dogs are not afraid of rain or snow and are ready to jump and play all year round. But for most wet-nosed people, comfort is still more important.

6. Uncomfortable accessories. You may not notice it and think that everything is fine, but your dog may experience severe discomfort from an uncomfortable collar or tight leash. Pay attention to whether the collar is comfortable for the dog, whether it is too tight, or whether it rubs. Also, take care of yourself during the walk – do not jerk the dog sharply with or without reason, do not pull the leash so that the dog cannot turn its head. Do everything to make the walk both for you and for your watchdog a pleasure.

7. Host aggression. Yell at your dog if it refuses to go outside? Are you behaving nervously and inappropriately? 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 quadruped has an unstable psyche from birth or “nerves are naughty”, any sharp sound or strong smell can provoke a violent reaction. Of course, the dog does not want to once again go for a walk, so as not to experience these emotions again.

The parent of a four-legged coward should understand that if the behavior of his ward can harm other people or other pets, if the dog tries to run away or leaves for a very long time even after short walks, you should not turn a blind eye to this. It is important to contact a qualified animal psychologist as soon as possible.

Remember that you can only re-educate and eliminate fears on your own with a puppy. With an adult dog, everything is much more complicated, so professional help is indispensable.

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

• A dog that does not get enough walks loses not only physical, but also mental activity. Such pets are inferior, shy and deeply unhappy. Therefore, you should not let things take their course and lock the dog at home with peace of mind. 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 where it is quieter. Slowly move closer to crowded places and roads. But it is important that the dog gradually gets used to different sounds, then it will stop being afraid of them. You can try to start with the dog on the balcony, so that he listened to the sounds of street life. Just do not leave your pet there alone, as he will be very scared.

• Never show resentment and irritation because of the dog’s reluctance to go outside. Do you think that a frightened dog will be more willing to obey you? You are deeply mistaken. The dog will obey only when you approach it with love, affection and understanding. And, of course, delicious treats.

In no case do not punish your pet, do not force him outside. So you will only make it worse and certainly will not solve the problem of fear in the four-legged.

• Make sure that the dog’s collar is normal, does not cause pain, does not squeeze the throat. Try to give your dog a little more freedom on a walk – loosen your 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 quiet places for walking.

• Do not forget to talk with your pet, praise, encourage. The gentle voice of the owner has a calming effect on the dogs. Try to distract your pet from negative thoughts with a fun game and treats.

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

• Distract your dog with commands. You need to learn commands at home, and the street is a great opportunity to work them out. This is very good at distracting the dog from the horrors 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 not so scared. 

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

If the first attempt was not successful, and the dog behaved just as cowardly on a 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 will not leave him in trouble. And with qualified help, things will go much faster.

The article was written with the support of an expert: 

Nina Darcia – veterinary specialist, zoopsychologist, employee of the Academy of Zoobusiness “Valta”.