Going outside, please help

[Netia.Bibee]

I just got my 14 week old mastiff puppy, and she seems to be terrified of going outside/walking on steps. I don't know what to do. I try to lure her out with treats but she just won't. She seems to think she's in trouble or something when I take her out. Any suggestions?

 

[Sadies Mom]

Puppies should not really walk steps anyway, but is it going down the steps or up? Sometimes it is scary for them to go down the steps but they have no problem going up. I would carry her out and then have her walk up the steps until she realizes the steps are her friend

 

[Netia.Bibee]

Ohhhh I didn't know steps were bad, I will keep that in mind. it's both ways that scare her it seems. She is scared to even go outside in general though. =/

 

[dsaw247]

I don't think you have anything to worry about, especially since you just got her. It will just take some time for her to get used to her new home and new things. You will also see her be afraid of various things as she grows, but they usually grow out of the fear stages

 

[musicdeb]

Continue to take her out and when she goes outside, reward her. When a dog is afraid, it requires consistent exposure to the thing they are afraid of. Once she goes out the door, reward her. Carry her down the stairs and when you put her down and she's ok, reward her.

 

[Netia.Bibee]

Thanks, I think I have just been getting so frustrated it has kept me from being calm and thinking more of what I need to do. I will take your advice and hopefully it helps. I managed to get her outside before she pooped, which was good haha. I'm worried her environment changes will bother her. I'm married to a man in the navy and I move around a lot because I don't like being home alone sometimes. :/

 

[musicdeb]

Good luck and remain calm. Most dogs will not listen if you become harsh or loud with the training.

As with humans, moving can stress out dogs. Titan and I moved into a new apartment in April. He paced and he stressed out for a couple of weeks. He's now comfortable in our new apartment.

Remember, dogs are resilient and totally adjustable to new environments. It just takes time for them to adjust, like humans.

 

[bellareea320]

Patience..Patience and more patience. Hes a baby exploring and learning about his new world!!! My 16 week cane corso was similar when we first got her. We have one step in the back for her to go down....as she got bigger she was less frightened of the step. The first week we carried her out then little by little with reward she started to feel comfortable with it. It was easier going up then down. Now she leaps off it to get out. They grow so fast it shouldnt be long before you have to say to walk not jump off the steps.

 

[Robtouw]

My 13 Week old does not like going down our steps either. I've started with putting him on the top step, then I sit on the top step with him for a bit, petting & talking with him, eventually he goes down. Sometimes it takes a while. I was carrying him down, but he is getting heavy. Its like he needs encouragement in order to be certain he can do it. Some days he just doesn't want to go out because it is too darn hot and I don't blame him then!

 

[bellareea320]

Yes us too! It's really hot today here. She only goes out for like 10-15 min. The most until late evening. It's tough because she has so much energy!!

 

[Robtouw]

Bella I have the hardest time figuring out how to deal with the excess energy when its over 100 and he just wants in! He needs to be able to run and get it out! I bet you can identify! I am looking forward to cooler weather!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Bella I have the hardest time figuring out how to deal with the excess energy when its over 100 and he just wants in! He needs to be able to run and get it out! I bet you can identify! I am looking forward to cooler weather!

Same here!!!!

 

[summer69]

I had the same problem when I got my Mastiff . She wouldn't go up or down the stairs either for a couple of days . Then she finally seen our other dog do it . LOL.... That's all it took . You just have to have patience . Just remember ,your learning from them as much as they are learning from you .

 

[STEVSH]

Topaz was scared to death of stairs when we first got her too. Which was unfortunate, because we live in a tri-level so there are like 5 steps to every room in our house! She eventually grew out of it by watching us and our other dog too. She just couldn't resist the urge anymore of wanting to be with us and her new doggie mommy, so she just did it one day.

 

[bellareea320]

Power of the pack..Its amazing how much faster they learn from other dogs wish I had another!