Night time Nerves

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Chester is a little nervous to go out and do his business when it is dark out.

It makes me wonder what he senses that I don't..There are coyotes in the area.

His routine is to pee on grass and poo on the gravel side of the road.

He will sometimes refuse to walk down or up the street.he starts to walk and then will sit and refuse to move. I try to coax him along 'it's OK '.

If it is garbage day - or if there is a different car parked in a different spot it is even more difficult.

Noises that don't bother him in the daylight really make him nervous- occasionally bolting if he is startled.

He does to something particularly adorable- If he needs to go out- he will sit on the stairs and look at us.When we get up to take him out- he will go and get his favourite teddy bear to 'protect' him.He has to carry His bear down the street with him.

If anyone has any suggestions I would like to hear them. I don't want to traumatize him..but it is frustrating to take him out in the freezing temps only to have him not do his business.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

How old is Chester?

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

He is 9 months. He wasn't always so nervous.

I am glad the days are getting longer

[Sharon & Monty]

Carry his little bear, holy cow.  Poor guy, I'll bet he smells those bad things in the night, stuff that we have no clue.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm thinking that Jane (Rooney and Stuart) has the same issue, but I can't remember how she handled it.  Anyone else recall this?  Hopefully she'll see this and comment.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Chester, poor dood we feel your fear because Rooney is the same.  It started right before he turned 1 and it has not gotten better.  Rooney is scared to go out to potty once the sun goes down.  I believe it is because at all of 21.5 lbs he can smell things that he knows are larger and might eat him.  Rooney will sometimes "lock" his legs and refuse to walk - unless I want to drag him he isn't going to move (I pick him up and walk a bit and then put him back down).  At other times he will step just off of our porch to pee or poop, often with one or more legs still on the porch - lol.  Rooney does better with Stuart with him but I don't have an answer.  Treats will help, lots of praise, and if need be - carry Chester for a ways then put him back down.  We work around it - not really a big deal but I KNOW just what you are talking about.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD has this issue too, and he weighs 80 lbs, lol. There is nothing living around here that is larger than he is or that could eat him in less than a week!

He will go for a walk at night on a leash. (Unless it's raining.) But he will not go out into the yard in the dark without a lot of coaxing and me walking out with him.

Hazel, some of what you're describing sound like plain old fear issues. The way to improve that is to start taking Chester anywhere that dogs are allowed, at least three times a week. Pet supply stores, garden centers, parks, auto repair places, anywhere you can bring a dog. Drive to other neighborhoods and walk him there. Walk past schoolyards at recess, tennis courts when people are playing, fire stations, seasonal displays in people's yards, etc. I can't tell you how much this helped JD get over some of his basci fear issues about things outside.

 

[BG and Gavin]

I agree with what Karen is saying here.  Also, although is sounds terribly adorable do not let him carry his stuffie outside for "comfort."  Take him out on leash and keep moving forward.  Be confident and leaderful and expose him to as much as you can.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I agree too.  Starlit was afraid of the dark so we installed really bright lights in the yard.   Can you say, Day Time.   But she feared everything.

You say though, you have to walk him so I don't know if installing flood lights will help  you.

Karen said socialize and I urged you to do as much of this as you can.

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

When the neighbours put up their Christmas display (we affectionately call them the Griswalds). It took a long time for Chester to get used to walking by their house. It seems any change-  someone visiting a neighbour does seem to throw him off.

We have been taking him to the local Dog Park - it took him a little while to play with other dogs.

But I like the idea of different distractions- Different Neighbourhoods,etc..I will try this.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When people talk about "socializing" a dog, it doesn't mean socializing with other dogs. It means getting a dog accustomed to human society. Many people don't understand this. Adult dogs really don't need to "socialize" or play with other dogs; many don't, mine included. But a dog does need to be comfortable in the human world, with all of its sights and sounds. That's why exposing them to as many different kinds of places as possible is important.

 

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Chester has locked his legs too.. I noticed our foot prints in the snow the next day. you could see where I dragged him a little.

He is 71 Lbs so I don't think I can pick him up for too long.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and don't use the phrase "It's okay" when he acts afraid or hesitates. It's almost impossible to say "It's okay" without making it sound like his fears are justified. Use a very confident, upbeat tone of voice and say "Good boy" instead. This didn't make any sense to me when I was told this by Jack's first trainer, but it worked.