Why is a dog afraid of the street?

If you’re wondering why a dog is afraid of the street, you should know that there are several reasons why a dog doesn’t want to go for a walk. In this article we will explain why suddenly a dog is afraid to go outside and what tips you can follow to solve this problem.

However, it is also possible that you do not really feel afraid, but that it is another cause that prevents you from going out on the street. In any case, we will find out together and get your dog to trust and enjoy the walks with you again.

Causes of fear of the street in dogs

The causes why a dog is afraid of the street are as different and special as each dog is, which means that analyzing the causes of the feeling of fear is complex.

If your dog is suddenly afraid to go for a walk, you have to observe him well, since his reactions and movements can tell you what the real reason for his behavior is. The most common are a bad experience during walks and poor socialization.

It is also possible that the dog is simply fearful. Let’s analyze the different causes of Why a dog is afraid of the street.

Fear of a bad experience.

During the last few walks, has your dog had a fight with another? Try to remember if your friend hurt himself on the ride or was bitten. Trauma may also have gotten into your brain if you were frightened by a loud noise, for example, from a truck that passed by in a hurry.

Your furry friend may suddenly not want to go outside because there is a new construction in front of your house or because you live in an area with a lot of traffic.

In short, a bad experience can be fighting with a dog, being frightened by a loud noise, getting lost and having felt fear, or even having suffered a small accident.

Poor socialization.

What does it mean for a dog to be poorly socialized? When your dog is not used to being with others of his kind since childhood, has not learned the signs and dog body language, it is possible that he begins to get along badly with other dogs. Then you will have no interest in meeting or playing with other dogs and, in turn, you will not understand their signs of calm. This can lead to poor socialization, cause problems and fights during the walk.

It’s a puppy.

If you notice that your puppy is afraid to go outside, he may not have gotten used to all the new smells, noises, and impressions yet. It’s the critical time for you to learn that going for a walk is incredible. To do this, take him to quiet areas and make sure he meets only with polite and social dogs to teach him how to behave with adults. It’s also essential that you don’t overload it with too many prints. Puppies do not yet have much ability to take on new experiences, as they have to sleep many hours a day. In any case, remember that puppies can only go outside if they are already vaccinated to ensure their health.

Is the dog really afraid or is it for another reason?

Are you sure it’s about fear? There are several other reasons why your dog may prefer to stay at home. It is advisable to consult a veterinarian if your adult dog suddenly does not want to go outside. The dog may develop symptoms that cause pain when walking. Hip dysplasia (HD), for example, could be a disease in older dogs that prevent them from walking normally.

On the other hand, some dogs avoid going outside during warmer or colder days. Others are afraid of the night or the noises caused by the wind. If your dog suffers from the heat in summer, avoid the hottest hours and take him out during the early morning and evening hours. It’s also totally normal for your dog not to want to go out when it rains.

How to walk a fearful dog?

During the walk, your dog needs you by his side. You are the reference person and will be guided by your body language.

It is essential that you make him feel safe, that there is no reason to worry. To do this, be consistent even if your dog does not want to go outside. He would notice your insecurity if you look at him all the time, talk to him too much, or stop. If he stops, take him with you with determination, but without violence. The dog needs to feel that there is no danger there, outside his house. When a dog is afraid of the street, it constantly stands or insists on returning home; for this reason, it is recommended that you put a harness so that it does not hurt the neck.

Dogs are very sensitive animals, they have a very sharp ear and hear things that we can not even imagine.

It is normal for certain situations or noises to scare them, since they perceive it much higher than we do. So that your dog does not suffer any trauma or experience a bad association with walking, avoid taking him out during a storm, at the time of heavy traffic or during parties with many people on the street.

Dogs are very afraid of fireworks and firecrackers. They can be frightened by the siren of police cars, horns and trucks. Therefore, protect your dog from these noises

What to do with a dog that does not want to go for a walk?

The first thing you should do if your dog no longer wants to go for a walk is to consult with an expert. Talk to your veterinarian to have him examined, it may be possible diseases or pain that causes his behavior. If your dog is in good health, but still does not go outside, you have to work on his problem. Observe him and find out his fear!

The collar and harness

Dogs associate their collar, harness or leash with walking. It is the first step to going to the street and your necklace is the key to success. If he has any trauma that connects to the ride, he will hide every time you show him the leash.

Therefore, we must work on how to prepare for the walk. It takes patience and affection to get you to forget your fear.

Put your dog on the collar or harness and let him wander around the house for a while so that he gets used to it again without feeling afraid. When you see it calm, then it’s time to take the first steps. If you don’t want to go through the door, take walks at home with the leash on. Once you see him able to go out, take him to quiet areas and make sure that the walks are calm and short.

The information you have just read will be of great help to answer the question of Why is a dog afraid of the street?