German Shepherd Dog Forums - View Single Post - I Screwed Up--HELP please with 1YO Dog Terrified to Go Outside

Ef1637 · 03-05-2013, 02:46 PM

Hi Friends,
Well, I think I have done it, I think I have "ruined" my sweet dog. (recognize I am being "slightly" dramatic, sorry!....but I am freaking out!!!). Bessie is NOT a fan of water--at all. When we give her baths she shakes and hates it until she is all dried off. WELL....here goes my problem. I turned on the sprinklers on Monday (yesterday) as it's getting warm now. When she sees them on she freaks out, she literally goes into a panic, begins shaking and wants to run away. She now will NOT go outside to pee or poo, she's terrifed to leave the house, even trying to get her to go for a walk. I have turned off the sprinklers and am also bringing her to the Vet for a check up, as she has done a complete 360 from a happy, go lucky, relatively confidant dog--to a terrified creature who will slink away and not go near the outside. ALL if this has happened in the past 48 hours.

She is a 1YO German Shepherd mix, is a very kind, sweet dog who can at times be lacking in confidence. Interestingly, we have been taking her out for long hikes recently with a friend's pack of dogs to a nearby lake which she loves, she even gets into the lake--as far up as her chest and plays. It's wonderful to see. However, at home when we have to give her a bath as she's filthy, she freaks out.

SO, now I have a GS dog who we love with all our hearts, and are fearful we have completely destroyed her confidance and state of well being. She will NOT go anywhere near outside to go pee or poo. :-(((

ANY advice is so greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!
Elisabeth and Bessie

03-05-2013, 02:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ef1637 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 9	I Screwed Up--HELP please with 1YO Dog Terrified to Go Outside Hi Friends, Well, I think I have done it, I think I have "ruined" my sweet dog. (recognize I am being "slightly" dramatic, sorry!....but I am freaking out!!!). Bessie is NOT a fan of water--at all. When we give her baths she shakes and hates it until she is all dried off. WELL....here goes my problem. I turned on the sprinklers on Monday (yesterday) as it's getting warm now. When she sees them on she freaks out, she literally goes into a panic, begins shaking and wants to run away. She now will NOT go outside to pee or poo, she's terrifed to leave the house, even trying to get her to go for a walk. I have turned off the sprinklers and am also bringing her to the Vet for a check up, as she has done a complete 360 from a happy, go lucky, relatively confidant dog--to a terrified creature who will slink away and not go near the outside. ALL if this has happened in the past 48 hours. She is a 1YO German Shepherd mix, is a very kind, sweet dog who can at times be lacking in confidence. Interestingly, we have been taking her out for long hikes recently with a friend's pack of dogs to a nearby lake which she loves, she even gets into the lake--as far up as her chest and plays. It's wonderful to see. However, at home when we have to give her a bath as she's filthy, she freaks out. SO, now I have a GS dog who we love with all our hearts, and are fearful we have completely destroyed her confidance and state of well being. She will NOT go anywhere near outside to go pee or poo. :-((( ANY advice is so greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! Elisabeth and Bessie