Need help ASAP! Puppy afraid of going outside

Sooks · 02-01-2010, 06:32 PM

Hello; my nine month old duck toller has learned to escape outside our fence. Recently, we bought an electric fence (invisible fence) and it basically shocks the dog when it goes near the wire. We were testing it, and our puppy got badly electrocuted. Now, whenever we put the collar on her she shivers like crazy and hides. And when we take the collar off and place her outside, she shivers too. This whole day she has been hiding and trembling. Now I can't do anything! She also goes to the bathroom inside now that she was so scared of going outside. Help?

Sarah · 02-01-2010, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooks

Hello; my nine month old duck toller has learned to escape outside our fence. Recently, we bought an electric fence (invisible fence) and it basically shocks the dog when it goes near the wire. We were testing it, and our puppy got badly electrocuted. Now, whenever we put the collar on her she shivers like crazy and hides. And when we take the collar off and place her outside, she shivers too. This whole day she has been hiding and trembling. Now I can't do anything! She also goes to the bathroom inside now that she was so scared of going outside. Help?

Wow that poor baby. How would you like to be electrocuted when you have no idea what you did wrong? I definitely would STOP using the collar NOW! I would suggest getting a real fence put up so she can't escape or take her outside on leash to go potty. You're going to have a lot of work to do to get her to trust you again. I would suggest giving her treats when she goes outside and giving her LOTS and LOTS of praise. She is obviously terrified over what she's been through, and sometimes it's hard to take that back. For example my family rescued a pet from the pound when I was a kid that was previously abused. If I walked towards her while holding anythign in my hand she would cower. Even after lots of love this never went away completely she was always a bit on the skittish side. I hope your puppy still has time to come around. I'm sure someone told you the electric collars were a good idea, but they really aren't. It just causes fear like you stated.

Brittany · 02-01-2010, 07:34 PM

Make going outside the best thing ever!!! Is she completely fine when she is inside? I would do what Sarah said and treat treat treat. You may also try buying her some new toys that she gets to play with outside. Maybe start outside on the porch or in the driveway and then SLOWLY start leading her further into the yard. But like Sarah said I don't think you will be able to use the collar anymore at least not in the near future. I don't think electric fences are ALL bad but you have to be very careful with them.

Sarah · 02-01-2010, 07:40 PM

Electric fences can work, but they can also cause aggression in the dog out of fear. I personally only ever use positive reinforcement. I know not everyone trains the same, but in all honesty if your pup is that scared I strongly suggest against ever using it again. That method doesn't seem to work for your baby. I can see how it will be frustrating if you don't have a fence though...

**Criosphynx** · 02-01-2010, 07:57 PM

how long ago was this?

I agree with the above...make it AWESOME to be outside. Unfortunately the dog will associate the pain with whatever she saw (you guys if you were there, and her enviroment) depending on how soft she is temperament wise, this could be som'thing she just gets over, or som'thing that will affect her the rest of her life (if you let it)

Elocin87 · 02-01-2010, 09:18 PM

Ditto the above. Electric fences are not for all dogs and I think your dog would be better with a different fence.

What setting was the fence on? Was it accidentally set too high? I'd say no more collar.

Sooks · 02-01-2010, 10:28 PM

We took the collar off of her, so no more electrocution. We all feel TERRIBLY for her pain. We didn't know how to work the machine. We were supposed to bury it, but instead we had it placed on the ground, so the electrocution was more painful. We never knew that we had to bury it.
And I think the setting was really high (my dad's fault)

Okay, I just took my puppy out into the backyard with no collar on, and I lured her out with treats. I gave her treats and acted all playful, but all she did was stand by the door with her ears back and tail between the legs.

Sarah · 02-01-2010, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooks

Okay, I just took my puppy out into the backyard with no collar on, and I lured her out with treats. I gave her treats and acted all playful, but all she did was stand by the door with her ears back and tail between the legs.

Just keep doing this until she feels safe outside again. I'm sure she will be fine, as long as you make her feel safe and give her treats she will learn that going outside is not a bad thing. Just keep working with her, I have a good feeling she will be better in a weeks time or so if you help her overcome her fear. Good luck, and keep us posted on how she does. It's okay to feel bad, but don't beat yourself up about it.

**fawkese1** · 02-02-2010, 02:00 AM

you've gotten good feed back so far... i agree with all that has been said...

i just want to reiterate some stuff... but first... you are not a bad person for using the electric fence

second, they really are a high risk management tool tho... what i mean is that you are relying on something that can and/will fail from time to time (my dad used one with his dog... every few weeks some part of it would fail... and she'd be off... she caused a lot of trouble running around like that...)

anyway, i would just continue to give her yummy treats and praise for going outside, and definitely don't use the collar anymore... (there are lots of good options for real fencing... )

Brittany · 02-02-2010, 07:23 AM

Start slow...don't expect her to happily run to the back yard to get a treat. Just try to get her outside the door and little by little lure a little further. If she isn't comfortable I would slow down.