Dog Community

Westhighland terrier refuses to come in.

Posted : 9/19/2011 9:43:08 AM

We have a delightful West Highland terrier who has been a gentlemen and well mannered for the last 11 years. All that time he has used his dog door to get in and out with no problem. Something happened recently in his mind and now he uses it to exit with no problem but now will not re enter unless we ask or tell him do do so. He will now spend hours out there in the cold and wet and eventually howls asking to be asked in. We have no idea how this has come about and don’t know how to tell him that he can use it freely. Please any help anyone? Thanks. Peter. Wimborne Dorset UK.

JackieG

Posted : 9/19/2011 1:28:49 PM

It could be that he got frightened going in the doggie door and now is apprehensive. I'd get some yummy treats and have one person inside the house at the dog door with the treats and another person outside with no treats. The person inside calls the dog and if the dog doesn't enter voluntarily, stick your hand out the door and lure him in with the treat. Make it a game and call him back and forth through the door, rewarding every time he comes inside. Do this as often as you can until he's going in and out without issue. This could take more than one session depending on his level of fear. I wouldn't force him through the door as this will probably serve as an aversive and could make the problem worse.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

sl2crmeg

Posted : 9/19/2011 7:12:09 PM

Hi! Has the vet checked his vision? By 11, his eyesight could be getting poor. You never know!

P.S. - I'm sure I can speak for both Jackie and I and say that we *LOVE* terriers, and especially pictures of terriers :) Welcome!

CoBuHe

Posted : 9/19/2011 9:26:29 PM

Poor little guy! I know you'll get through this. Jackie and Meg both give good advice. What is his name? We require pictures, I, for one, want to see your Westie! Big Smile

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/19/2011 11:56:55 PM

When you DO let him in is he coming thru the doggie door or do you *open* the door for him?

They can get spooked by the **strangest** stuff -- one time years ago one of my dogs was outside and a fast Florida thunderstorm came up fast and hard. There was a lightning strike relatively near and I have metal siding on my house and I **know** my old sheltie mix got some sort of a little shock off the house.

Bless his heart -- he was TERRIFIED to go out the back door for days -- and we had to do something very similar to what Jackie has suggested.

Go slow -- make the treats **irresistible** -- this is not a time for store-bought treats. Don't play "fair" -- use bits of steak or fish or whatever is absolutely completely irresistible to him. Tiny tiny wee steps at first -- keep it completely successful!

Good luck!!