Anxious Urinating?

Question
I've had my 8 month old chihuahua for 3 months now, and he was perfectly housetrained.  Then, last week, he was attacked by a much larger dog (whom the owner let off of his leash!) during a walk outside of my house.  Since then, he runs away from me when I try to take him for a walk.  Instead, he runs upstairs and urinates at the top before I can get to him.  I immediately take him outside and reward him when he urinates outside, but it is obvious he is traumatized.  I have to force him outside, and he doesn't enjoy his walks outside anymore.  When he is outside, he does his business quickly and then runs back indoors as fast as he can, anxious the whole time.  And he still urinates inside everyday!  I need to get him to be okay with walking outside of my house again.  Please help!  I don't know what to do.

Answer
Hi Linda,

I'm sorry your little one had to go thru that tramatic experience.  When something like that happens, I always recommend taking a different route for a walk.  You'll probably have to carry him out and maybe walk around the block -- but go somewhere that he won't associate with the big mean dog.  With a few positive experiences during walks, I believe he'll come around and forget his fear.    

If you see the big dog running around again, call animal control.  The owner should know better.

I'm not sure if you used a crate initially to housetrain the chi, but you may want to use it again until he enjoys his walks again.   It might even help him enjoy the walks more.

Cathy