Won't go outside. Don't know what to do.

[StarFox]

Ok I mentioned before that Zebra is scared when I take him outside. Well thing have only gotten worse. He refuses to go out now. I can put his harness on him but the second I open the door and try to get him out he freaks. If I'm lucky I can get him out the door and onto the first step but after that forget it. His tail is between his legs and he tries to slam into the back door trying to get back in. So I tried to take him out the front door,well this time he nearly runs me down trying to get out the door then freaks out again when he relizes he is outside and tries to run back in.

So I FINALLY got him outside and I say "Lets go for a walk!" in a very happy tone and he stands there and won't move. He use to LOVE walks now he hates them. :-? I tried to get him to walk by giving him treats and he refused treats. So I said forget this and just started to tug on his leash..eventually he walked a little but kept trying to run back home. About half way down the street he freaks out AGAIN and backs out of his harness and manages to actually come all the way out of it and starts to run down the sidewalk. This is were I had a heartattack and yelled "Zebra STOP!" Thank the lord that stopped when I yelled it but jesus this is rediculous. You can tell that he hates even being outside by the way he looks, his tail between his legs and his ears back. I feel bad for him but I'm also losing my patience with him (I know I shouldn't).

I don't know what to do. I don't have all the time in the world to sit outside and coddle him because he is scared. I thought that just standing outside with him and letting him get use to "outside things" would make a difference but it hasn't. I mean how do you get a dog that hates being outside, outside?

Also I forgot to mention that last weekend my uncle and two cousins came over and Zebra was scared of them the entire time they were here. He was scared of family members that he sees regularly and use to love! Also he was never hurt or scared by my uncle or cousins, I watch him like a hawk when people are over and this is the first time he has acted like that with thim. He was never afraid of people before but he seems to be digressing in every way possible. We start a new training class at the end of this month also but I'm starting to wonder how well he will do in that since these behaviour problems have arised. Uh..I'm just so damn frusterated.

[pollysmith]

Gosh! That is a problem. How about taking his favorite treat outside and praise him whenhe comes out to get it. I know its hard but just like with kids persistence will pay off. What scared him so bad?

[courtnek]

also have him checked for Lymes disease. it can cause anything from severe fear to severe aggression.......


poor Zeb....

[kendalyn]

I'm not sure what to say. It sounds like you've tried a lot of positive reinforcement.

The vet seems like the best next step. I hope everything turns out OK!

[DogPaddle]

Go to the vet. Until you can go to the vet, dope him up on Rescue Remedy.

[StarFox]

Thanks everyone. I can't figure out what is wrong with him and it's just so frusterating.

DP- I've been looking for Rescue Remedy EVERYWHERE and I can't find the stuff. I've been to 4 different Petcos and Petsmart and no place carrys it. I know that some people have had great sucess with it so I really want to try it...if only I could find it. :-?

Thankfully I'm going to be getting a large paycheck soon so I'm going to take Zeb to the vet and have him checked out. Untill then I guess I'll just try more positive renforcement.

[DogPaddle]

Try these places:

Aunt Vi's Garden 861 S Hudson Ave Los Angeles CA 90005 310-289-7869
Kid Chiropractic 1445 N. Gardner St. Los Angeles CA 90046-4101 323-436-2735
Healing Waters-LA 136 N. Orlando Ave Los Angeles CA 90048 323-651-4656
Apothecary Pharmacy 11700 National Blvd Los Angeles CA 90064 310-473-5003

Or go to there site and contact them to see if they can help or order online:
[url]http://www.feelbach.com[/url]

Or go to one of these specialty pet stores in your area as they may carry it or a similar product:

Animal Crackers (323) 658-1919 8023 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Casey's Pet Depot (310) 441-4122 1278 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Catt's & Dogg's (323) 953-8383 2833 1/2 Hyperion Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies (310) 473-5099 11055 W. Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies (310) 216-9261 7600 Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Centinela Feed & Pet Supplies (310) 398-2134 3860 Centinela Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Dogromat (310) 306-8885 12926 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Eco-Pet (310) 645-8892 6955 La Tijera Blvd. #A
Los Angeles, CA 90045
For Pets Only (323) 664-4211 1903 Hillhurst Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
For Pets Only (323) 934-8303 310 South La Brea
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Helen Pet Depot (310) 478-8266 10531 W. Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Katie's Pet Depot 310-313-1801 12112 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Kirby's Pet Depot (310) 313-1801 12112 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Pet Express (310) 657-4PET 1262 S. La Cienaga
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Pet Spot (310) 471-8169 11720 Barrington Ct.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Pets of Belair (310) 475-7977 2924 Beverly Glen Circle
Los Angeles, CA 90077
Collar & Leash Pet Food & Supply (323) 665-2215 1836 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles , CA 90027
Westside Pet Stop (310) 202-1076 10588 Pico Blvd
West Los Angeles, CA 90064

Call ahead.