[SydneyNicole]

Hello!
I rescued a 30 lb terrier mix last October and he is about 2 years old. Ever since I rescued him he has LOVED being in my backyard all day if the weather allows it. The backyard was his safe zone and where he kept all of his toys. But then one day I heard him barking at something and freaking out and it was a cat on the fence. You could tell he had never seen a cat before because he was shaking and frozen with fear. I had to carry him back inside the house. After this happened, he now never wants to be outside and will only stay out there if I am out there with him. He is now going to the bathroom in the house which is unusual for him.
I am looking for any advice on how to get him to love being outside again. I’ve tried training treats for every time he goes to the bathroom outside. Any other ideas? Thank you!!

 

[JoanneF]

Can you spend a lot of time out there with him until he gets his confidence back?

 

[SydneyNicole]

Can you spend a lot of time out there with him until he gets his confidence back?

Thank you for the advice Joanne! I will start staying outside with him for longer

 

[Shadowfox]

I'd recommend also inching him out with you. To start, by the door/barely outside [his stage]. After a couple days, a little further. Hang out, train, play; reinforce that 99% of the time it's good. When he is pretty comfortable with you there, slowly drift further away-but barely.

 

[Laco]

Unfortunately, with rescues we can never really know what they have been through before we adopted them, and what trigger points they may have, that can really set them off. As already suggested, about all you can do is spend a lot of time with him, outside, keep reassuring him that all is well, With time and patience, he will more than likely slowly start to settle down again, when outside. Its sometimes a slow process, so your patience with him is the key to his regaining his confidence.