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Originally Posted by SmplySwtJen  I adopted a 1 yr old intact male yorkie about 2 wks ago. He had been attacked by another dog and was hospitalized for about 3 days. His owners couldnt afford vet care which is how I acquired him.
He refuses to walk out of the house but will walk TO THE house. I am using the easy walk harness and nothing, he pulls away and jumps and jerks around. I usually end up picking him up and take him to the end of the block so he can walk back home (which he has no problem with) and do his business. I have left the harness and leash on in the house and he has no problem with it at all. I tried the whole treat leash walking.
I dont know what to do, how can I train him to go outside? should i buy a gentle leader head collar?  |
You are an angel to take care of him.
It sounds like he has had a terribly traumatic experience, and it's not surprising that he would be fearful outdoors. Have you talked to his former owner to confirm that this is new behavior?
Assuming it is, I would gradually build up to leaving the house. Does he have a park he likes to play at or anything like that? That would be good, first, to get him some exercise, and two, you might get him to start walking to the park. Maybe start a block away from the park like you are doing, and then a block farther away, and so on until you are walking out of your front door.
Thor is not scared of the outside, but he is not a fan of the "nightly walk". He likes to know he's going somewhere he likes, or else that he's exploring new territory.
Also, just FYI, I volunteer dog walk, and some timid dogs you just have to carry out for a few blocks. Once they get out they are fine, as long as they walk in quiet areas without many distractions. That's one benefit of yorkies, they are very portable. It's not so fun when the anxious dog weighs forty pounds. Will he go for a walk once he's outside, or is he just focused on getting back indoors as fast as possible? Try taking him more than a block away and see what happens.
Hope that helps!