Dog Community

Doesn't like his huge back yard....

Posted : 6/11/2006 6:46:38 PM

I have a 7 yr. old Airedale/Australian Shepherd cross - Ruger. He is a great dog, constant companion, well behaved, no bad habits... I moved into a new house from an apartment 6 mo. ago, and Ruger sits by the sliding glass window and whines the entire time he is out. The back yard is fenced, a half acre hillside, forested, lots of places to run and explore. The neighbors have a standard pit bull aptly named Diablo who barks at us/Ruger/our house every time he is out, and they seem to think that is acceptable behavior. Ruger goes to the common fence and barks when he is out most of the time. Otherwise he just whines and scratches at the door. He is very social, and well behaved at all other times. I can't understand why he doesn't like his back yard. Our kids dogs love it, and Ruger chases with them when they are over.

What gives? I have been told this is routine terrier paranoia, but it seem plenty odd to me. I have tried throwing the ball and frisbee for him, which he likes, but he is at the door as soon as I go back in. Is there a way to make him like going out?

Thanks

agilebasenji

Posted : 6/11/2006 7:58:44 PM

He whines at the sliding glass door when he's out and you're in?

If yes, he's bored.

Does he do the same when you're outside with him?

Catherine

Posted : 6/11/2006 8:12:31 PM

My guy does not like being in our backyard by himself. Or let's say, he acts like he doesn't like being there by himself. He will frolic, explore, sleep, or

lay if I'm out there, but as soon as I go inside he whines and just sits by the gate until either I go back out or I bring him in.

I'm not sure if he's bored as much as he doesn't like being alone. If he's ok when you or someone else is out there then I think that's fine - I don't think dogs have to be able to be outside by themselves for long periods of time.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 6/11/2006 8:22:06 PM

Max, who is about 2, has a fairly decent sized yard but he doesn't stay out there playing by himself, either. He pretty much just goes out to do his business or sometimes to lay in the sun when the temperature is just *perfect* but most of the time he stays where we are. He's out in the yard when we're out there and he's inside the rest of the time.

Joyce

Xerxes

Posted : 6/11/2006 8:42:10 PM

I moved into a new house from an apartment 6 mo. ago,

I think that is your answer. He's 7years old. You're attempting to get him used to being outside...but without his favorite person/packmate who has been with him every time he's been outside (or at least most of the time.) And it doesn't help that every time he's outside there's a dog calling him an intruder, that only adds to the insecurity.

I'm thinking that you are the security blanket for your boy. I think that you could work on getting him out for longer periods of time, but do it slowly. Maybe start by giving him one of his favorite chewy treats outside while you're there. And you start ignoring him or go inside for just a few minutes. Come back out and pretend it's no big deal. Gradually lengthen the time. It may be months before he's entirely comfortable out by himself.

Andrew Marks

Posted : 6/11/2006 9:10:18 PM

He likes being anywhere else either with us or without us. He will sit by the front door waiting to get out, but has to be coaxed into the back yard with us, while barbecuing for example. While out, he pants vigorously, indicating stress. There have been times after being out for a while he will go exploring, but infrequently. He doesn't act like he is bored, he acts more like he is afraid or anxious...

spiritdogs

Posted : 6/12/2006 7:03:38 AM

Dogs are social animals. Most of them dislike being alone, but they most dislike it in a strange or scary place. A dog that was unsocialized to being alone in an outdoor setting may always be a bit leery of it when no other packmate (you) is there. Instead of leaving him outside alone, which can make things worse, try to spend lots of time out there with him, especially doing fun activities. Some dogs actually feel better about staying outdoors if they are in a kennel - it's bigger, but seems to remind them of their crates - a safe place to be.
"Kennel" can be a great place to go if there's a marrow bone waiting there :-)

)

Pam

Posted : 6/12/2006 10:23:33 AM

I have the same yard as you, fenced in hillside. My dog panics when he is outside alone, he paces from the door to the gate, waiting for me to come and get him. Even when my other dog is thoroughly enjoying herself outside near him. I used to have a screened in porch that he laid on in front of the kitchen door, but as long as he could see me in the kitchen, he was content to be outside. AS soon as I get my staircase to the the porch rebuilt, he'll have access to the yard and to the kitchen.

My dog is Gordon Setter, and they love their person and don't like to be away from them. Maybe your breed is the same way.

I know he will never be comfortable outside alone. (he also was neglected in a warehouse for his first 3 years of life) so I know that the "outside" can be fearful. Funny, tho, he reallys loves lounging on the patio as long as I am with him.

I've tried homeopathic remedies for 2 years but, I think he is phycologically scarred.