messing in the house...

Question
Hi Sandy...
I have a 2 1/2 yo spayed rat terrier ("Delilah") who all of
a sudden started to mess in the house. We moved here to WA from NC about 6 weeks ago and all of a sudden she's been very hesitant about going outside in the grass to go to the bathroom in our backyard. It's basically a fight and we have to physically pick her up and take her out to
go. When we ask her to go out she tucks tail and runs. I've never heard of a dog who's afraid of the outdoors...

It started a couple of days ago; I came home to poop beside our bed. I had her out right before I left (as usual) and she walked around for about 15 minutes and would only pee.) This afternoon, it was another pile
in our bedroom and now we're getting ready for bed and realize she's peed all over it.

She is the only dog in the household (there are no kids either) just two adults and we are both out until the evening. She does sleep with us at night, which is why I don't understand WHY she would mess where she
sleeps.

She was a milled puppy and I found out after I bought her(from a petstore) that she was purchased before and returned three days later at four months old. With the 4th of July just having passed, she was pretty freaked out by the fireworks and I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. Tonight she's sleeping in the crate. Any ideas why this is happening and what we can do?

Thanks!
Krista


Answer
Hello Krista,

Delilah is presenting classic phobic behavior.

Why? We'll probably never know for sure. It could be the move or the fireworks or countless other things that brought it to a head. But whatever.....Let's try and fix it.

First, it is good you are using her crate. This will lower her stress level. Keep her in the bedroom with you at night and have her sleep in her crate. Make sure that the crate is small enough so that the back is pressed against her hindquarters.

Secondly, you should take her for long walks outside. Expose her constantly to whatever she fears. How you do it is tricky. You cannot show concern if she cowers and looks fearful. That will only reinforce her fears. When you walk her outside, if she hesitates, correct her with the lead and make her keep pace. When she acts "normally" praise her. Do this consistently and she should overcome her fear of the outside which should allow her to relieve herself outside.

Finally, what you are seeing is quite common in rescue dogs and milled dogs. But we can't undo the past. What your Delilah needs is firm consistent leadership so that her problem doesn't just reappear in a different form. It would do you no good if you "cure" her phobia and it only reappears as aggression of some other problem.

You must make sure that you're treating her like a dog and not a human. She must always obey commands instantly, walk on a heel, eat after you eat and show total submission to you. Although it seems counter-intuitive, this will relieve her stress and allow her to relax and be a much happier dog. She must know that she has strong leadership to guide her in all phases of her life. Only with the security of knowing through your actions that you are totally in charge can she be totally rehabilitated.

Good Luck!
Sandy
http://www.perfectdogtraining.com