Bodhi is too scared to walk outside now - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Bodhi'sMom · 03-19-2005, 01:27 PM

Bodhi did really well when hubby and I would walk him to the park 2 weeks ago. It's just a block away.

I was looking forward to introducing him to all the sounds and smells of outside. He's 14 weeks old.

About 4 days ago, the weather dropped from sunny to overcast and drizzly.
He began shaking when outside and even more timid to enter the apartment building hallways which are connected by heavy fireproof doors. It doesn't matter who walks him.

He's been on a few car rides and we wonder if Bodhi's fearing yet another ride? He seemed to enjoy it with both of us and looking outside. We included breaks to get out and play on a grassy area, praising him, and playing when we got home.

We took him to PetsMart to check out a training class. The instructor saw him shaking and suggested a sweater, which would be warm and act like a hug, to reassure Bodhi.

I drove him to the PetsMart groomer the next morning wrapped in a towel. Too early for me, but no other dogs were going to be around. It only took about 15 minutes for a little grooming (no bath) with a very sweet girl.

Without any commotion or obvious trauma, we are confused. Is he cold, scared, both?

I just got a child-sized sweater with ribbed cuffs at the thrift store. I cut the sleeve off and gave it a couple of leg holes. Will see if that helps.

Suggestions anyone? Thanks in advance!

Chelsie1978 · 03-19-2005, 04:33 PM

Have you been walking him long? At first,both of mine were fine until they realised that the outside was FULL of strange noises,bigger dogs,peple wanting to pet them etc

The first couple of times I walked Lady,she was fine,but suddenly she seemed to be affraid of everything and would spend her walks shaking and wanting to be held.Nothing major had happened,just people wanting to pet her,seeing other dogs,getting used to the sounds of the outside..etc,but she seemed to be traumatized and of course we were worried.We took her to the vet to see if he could make anything of her behaviour and he said it was completely normal for a puppy..that we had to be patient and help her adjust.So we began taking her on short walks near home,avoiding crowded places etc.As she gained confidence we started taking her on night walks to different places with bigger surroundings to help her feel comfortable in open spaces but without the crowds..then slowly we began taking to her these same places during the day.It did take a while (about a month) but it worked

We had the same problem with Jess and the same rutine worked with her too so Its worth a try

In my experience,yorkies shiver ALOT and half of the time its not because they are cold,it can mean a few things..anxiety (sp?),happiness,fear,guilt (this is what mine do if they have peed somewhere they shouldent..lol)..
I would try walking your baby in small areas then bigger areas at nightfall etc etc ...it worked for me

GOOD LUCK!

fasteddie · 03-20-2005, 03:19 AM

I think he just needs to get used to the outside, as it can be a big scary place. Wait a few days or so and the weather should be a bit nicer once again around here!

I think if you can try to make a game with him when you take him to the park, bring a favorite toy, or play tug of war or fetch with him, he'll get more used to the outside world and fear it a little less. When Yoda was a baby, he would get pretty scared of the outside and would shake too when he's cold. A little sweater did help him, but then we kept taking him out more and more, and he started to enjoy it. Good luck!

Bodhi'sMom · 03-24-2005, 01:45 PM

Thanks for your encouragement!

Bodhi got his rabies vaccination yesterday, so I will be able to take him to the home where I dogsit. Their household is pretty low-key. And it's not "outside"

I suppose there is a waiting period after getting the shot that Bodhi may be exposed to other dogs and dog-walking areas.

Was also given a dose of Advantage topical treatment for fleas. Vet told me that the fleas are to be quite troublesome this summer in Seattle (because of the little snowfall?).

yorkiegal · 03-24-2005, 04:43 PM

hi

charlie did the same thing when i first got him. he hated the outdoors and all the noises... but he got used to it. he still doesn't love walking (would rather be carried!), but he likes to run on the grass in the summer time! yorkies are pretty sensitive to cold weather, so a sweater is definitely a good idea. charlie shakes when he is excited or nervous or cold! i'm sure he'll get used to it! just keep taking him out!

03-19-2005, 01:27 PM	#1
Bodhi'sMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynnwood Posts: 154	Bodhi is too scared to walk outside now Bodhi did really well when hubby and I would walk him to the park 2 weeks ago. It's just a block away. I was looking forward to introducing him to all the sounds and smells of outside. He's 14 weeks old. About 4 days ago, the weather dropped from sunny to overcast and drizzly. He began shaking when outside and even more timid to enter the apartment building hallways which are connected by heavy fireproof doors. It doesn't matter who walks him. He's been on a few car rides and we wonder if Bodhi's fearing yet another ride? He seemed to enjoy it with both of us and looking outside. We included breaks to get out and play on a grassy area, praising him, and playing when we got home. We took him to PetsMart to check out a training class. The instructor saw him shaking and suggested a sweater, which would be warm and act like a hug, to reassure Bodhi. I drove him to the PetsMart groomer the next morning wrapped in a towel. Too early for me, but no other dogs were going to be around. It only took about 15 minutes for a little grooming (no bath) with a very sweet girl. Without any commotion or obvious trauma, we are confused. Is he cold, scared, both? I just got a child-sized sweater with ribbed cuffs at the thrift store. I cut the sleeve off and gave it a couple of leg holes. Will see if that helps. Suggestions anyone? Thanks in advance!

03-24-2005, 04:43 PM	#5
yorkiegal Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 78	sounds like he is just getting used to outdoors hi charlie did the same thing when i first got him. he hated the outdoors and all the noises... but he got used to it. he still doesn't love walking (would rather be carried!), but he likes to run on the grass in the summer time! yorkies are pretty sensitive to cold weather, so a sweater is definitely a good idea. charlie shakes when he is excited or nervous or cold! i'm sure he'll get used to it! just keep taking him out! __________________ Charlie's mom - Charlie February 15th 2003 - September 12th 2007. Gone too soon. We will miss you always.

03-19-2005, 04:33 PM	#2
Chelsie1978 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mallorca-Spain Posts: 379	Have you been walking him long? At first,both of mine were fine until they realised that the outside was FULL of strange noises,bigger dogs,peple wanting to pet them etc The first couple of times I walked Lady,she was fine,but suddenly she seemed to be affraid of everything and would spend her walks shaking and wanting to be held.Nothing major had happened,just people wanting to pet her,seeing other dogs,getting used to the sounds of the outside..etc,but she seemed to be traumatized and of course we were worried.We took her to the vet to see if he could make anything of her behaviour and he said it was completely normal for a puppy..that we had to be patient and help her adjust.So we began taking her on short walks near home,avoiding crowded places etc.As she gained confidence we started taking her on night walks to different places with bigger surroundings to help her feel comfortable in open spaces but without the crowds..then slowly we began taking to her these same places during the day.It did take a while (about a month) but it worked We had the same problem with Jess and the same rutine worked with her too so Its worth a try In my experience,yorkies shiver ALOT and half of the time its not because they are cold,it can mean a few things..anxiety (sp?),happiness,fear,guilt (this is what mine do if they have peed somewhere they shouldent..lol).. I would try walking your baby in small areas then bigger areas at nightfall etc etc ...it worked for me GOOD LUCK!

03-20-2005, 03:19 AM	#3
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	I think he just needs to get used to the outside, as it can be a big scary place. Wait a few days or so and the weather should be a bit nicer once again around here! I think if you can try to make a game with him when you take him to the park, bring a favorite toy, or play tug of war or fetch with him, he'll get more used to the outside world and fear it a little less. When Yoda was a baby, he would get pretty scared of the outside and would shake too when he's cold. A little sweater did help him, but then we kept taking him out more and more, and he started to enjoy it. Good luck!

03-24-2005, 01:45 PM	#4
Bodhi'sMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynnwood Posts: 154	Thanks for your encouragement! Bodhi got his rabies vaccination yesterday, so I will be able to take him to the home where I dogsit. Their household is pretty low-key. And it's not "outside" I suppose there is a waiting period after getting the shot that Bodhi may be exposed to other dogs and dog-walking areas. Was also given a dose of Advantage topical treatment for fleas. Vet told me that the fleas are to be quite troublesome this summer in Seattle (because of the little snowfall?).