Lab goes crazy ouside

Ragtime Mouth · 10-17-2011

See, I have 2 dogs, one lab and one corgi. There are actually 4 in this house, but only one has this problem. My lab started to act up outside I think the beginning of last year.

"Acting up" includes - Chewing on the door frame, yelping and crying constantly, jumping up and trying to break the window.

No matter how long he's out there it just won't stop. I've played with them and tried to tire him out then leave him out there.. but it doesn't matter. He's the only one who does this. There are rare times he doesn't and it's usually at night. At first I thought it was because of heat, but he does it when it's cold or just fine outside.

I mean, he's excited to go out, they both sit and stay before they go out and come back in. I don't get why he's so happy to go out, but 2-5 minutes later he just wants to come in any means necessary.

At first I could handle it calmly, I'd try to establish that I own the door, I say when he comes in. I'd keep walking towards him to keep him at bay... but now it's just too much, it drives my husband and I to nervous tears almost. It's hard to stay calm, it's so infuriating.. I'm just desperate for help.

cigwyllt · 10-18-2011

Why does he need to stay outside? It sounds like he is really anxious out there. Can you not just let him out to do his business then bring him in?

My dogs are NEVER "put" outside. We have a dog door. They go out to go to the toilet then come in when they are ready.

Deafdogsrule · 10-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

Why does he need to stay outside? It sounds like he is really anxious out there. Can you not just let him out to do his business then bring him in?

My dogs are NEVER "put" outside. We have a dog door. They go out to go to the toilet then come in when they are ready.

I second this. Dont leave him outside.

As far as "owning the door" load of CM garbage. You need to figure out why he's anxious about being outside (sounds like separation anxiety to me) and help him overcome the anxiety.

lange · 10-18-2011

Does he only act this way when you're not outside with them? How old is he? Has he been to the vet? Anything traumatic (in his eyes) ever happen to him outside? Do you leave him alone inside the house when you go out? If so, does he have any reactions then?

dogs rule · 10-18-2011

Lange asked some very valid questions. But my first thought was the same as deafdogrule and cigwyllt.
Why does your dog have to stay outside.
I too have a dogdoor for my dogs, so they have the freedom of being in or out whenever they want. If I'm up and doing things in the house, they are usually in the house with me. They just prefer to be where I am. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ragtime Mouth · 10-19-2011

They are usually with us, I never just leave them out for hours, they're part of our pack. I wouldn't want to be away either. The question wasn't pertaining to if he has to stay out; of course he has just gone out and back in, I've done this many times. I just can't figure out why he started this if I have to away for 10 or 5 minutes.

I can't just have a doggy door, there are 4 dogs and 2 of which I don't look after. They are someone elses. The other two will cause a fuss and it's not my say t all to make a hole (even a very well crafted lockable hole) in the door. This house is rented, not owned. I don't want to "put" him out there, but I do need to rotate somewhat to make sure they have time to go whenever they need to. We can't put all 4 dogs together, the other two are just too unruly and just cause my corgi stress rather then pleasant interaction, as well as the smallest of them having a dislike towards my big lab.

Nothing has happened to him that could come close to be traumatic (in his point of view.) I know when he's upset because of something, he's very sensitive to certain sounds and I can pick up on it. Even after 5 years. Though during these fits, there isn't anything I can find that could be causing his stress. If I'm out there with them, he doesn't usually mind, which why I think it's some sort of separation anxiety. He's always been a bit clingy, and done my best to try and make sure he's comfortable when I can't be around.

I don't want to just leave him out there, but he used to be happy outside with or without us. It is just upsetting to see a gradual change in his behavior when nothing much has changed. I love them like children, but I treat them like the dogs, they're submission and loving. I don't mentally mistreat him to cause this separation anxiety. His vet hasn't said anything psychically wrong with that could be causing this.

Is there any way to go around this separation anxiety? I've done so many exercises to make him see I am coming back, and nothing is wrong. It's worked well on my corgi which I had to rehabilitate from getting him from a different place where he was mentally mistreated, and he has no problems now. My lab has never been in any type of abuse.

cigwyllt · 10-19-2011

OK - I think I got the wrong end of the stick from your first post. It's just that a lot of people seem to think they can put the dog outside and expect it to entertain itself.

I understand you can't have a dog door - and I guess a lab sized one would be rather large anyway lol!

I'm only making a suggestion based on what worked for our rescue dog who had huge anxiety issues when we got her - have you considered using some sort of tether for him outdoors? Obviously you would have to train him to get used to it but it could be that he finds the whole area overwhelming whereas if he were tethered he would have a smaller "patch" to patrol and care for.

dogs rule · 10-19-2011

I mis-read that thread too then. I also got the impression that you wanted to be able to leave him out for an extended amount of time.
My first dog had seperation anxiety, she would go through screen doors, chew the door frame, dig under the fence. Sounds familiar, doesn't it.
She did indoors as well as outdoors. As soon as we got our second dog, a very calm boy, all this stopped. She was still very hyper, but the need to "find us" stopped. She was no longer "alone".
Now since your lab is not "alone", maybe is there a favourite toy, or blanket even, that could go outside with him. Something that is usually only in the house, something that makes him feel relaxed and safe.

Also, are you able to rule out that your has not been teased or hurt outside by anyone? It's awful to say but some neighbour kids may have done something.
Hope you find what works soon, trust me I know it's very hard to deal with sometimes, just keep at it and try not to lose your cool with him as he doesn't want to be this way anymore than you do

bigpawsup · 10-20-2011

I have a lab mix that had some problems with a neighbor child. Even after the neighbors left, she wouldn't go outside by herself. I wanted her to like the yard again so I gave her a wobbler on the back porch. Now she'll lay on the porch and chew a bone for over an hour. Just had to make her see the porch as a play place and she was cool.

I might be worth a try.