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Cooper scared to go out at night On Tuesday by mistake I left the back door open Cooper let himself out. I know I'm a horrible owner. I left at 2 got home at 8 he was gone, anyway he was found the next day a mess but fine. I took him to the vet he was fine. Many people saw him but he could not be caught he was out all night by himself. I was out all night looking for him he is a little guy just about 4 pounds. He is scared to go out at night he just sits when I take him out. He usually loves going out, during the day he seems fine even on a leash he stays super close, but at night he just sits down. I ask if he wants to go outside he gets all excited does his little 360 he was a rescue lived in a cage for two years then goes out with no problem but sits. Any suggestions. He has his own bedroom with a bathroom for his pee pee pads that he uses but he also goes outside I dont make him go outside he goes on his own but like I said just sits. |
Do you go out with him at night? If not try it till he gets back into his normal routine... if you do, it may just take some time. It will be hard to figure out what scared him... I would just go and sit with him until he realizes all is right in his world again. |
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I always go out with him, in the day he seems fine, night he sort of freezes up. Like I said I don't force him to go out he goes out on his own with me but sits down, I might be scared of the dark too if I stayed out all night. He is sticking close to me moreso than he did before. I work at home so I'm with him most of the time. I feel so badly I don't want him to be scared. |
Aw! Poor little guy! I would just try to stick to his 'normal' routine as much as possible and just give him at least a few days to regain his confidence. If something really did scare him, I think you're lucky that he still wants to go out at all, night or day! Maybe he's more upset that he couldn't find you that night and doesn't want to leave you, so he's sticking close... |
He was already afraid of the dark, then after his "All Night Adventure", there is no telling what terrifying events he didnt experience! Poor baby! I wouldnt make him go out at night at all...he obviously does not enjoy it...he just sits....let him use his pee pads at night if he cant hold it.....I wouldnt put him in a situation of fear unless it was absolutely necessary, and with him using pads, I dont think it is necessary! |
I am sorry he got so scared. He is a pretty little guy at 4 lbs. Maybe try taking him outside while it is still light out and stay until after dark, doing something fun that he likes, then bring him back inside for a few nights. You could also take him out just as it's starting to get light out but still dark and keep him out, playing, etc., until sun up or so. Perhaps the changing light conditions will help show him that dark is okay, too. |
He is still unsure. He doesn't realize what went wrong. He was accustomed to going out and coming back in and then something different happened and he couldn't get back the way he usually does. I would take him out a lot during the day and as it starts to get dark. If you have a back yard light make sure you leave it on. That might make him feel more comfortable about going out in the dark. Of course he doesn't have to go out if he doesn't want to but it would be a shame if he started not wanting to do something that he had enjoyed so much. Dogs are usually creatures of habit. Once he gets back in a routine he will probably go back to enjoying his little trips out. It's so nice that he has adjusted so well to you after being in a cage the first part of his life. If he can get past that then he can get past one night on his own. |
I would take him out, but carry him in my arms and walk around talking in a happy voice....it has worked for me before with rescued or puppy mills dogs. They get to smell the smells and the ones I have done this with soon want to get down and smell the smells closer...then after repetition they take a few steps and soon enough walk around.....it doesn't happen in one night though... |
All good suggestions given... just wanted to say I'm so very glad to hear you have him back home safe and uninjured. |
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