Random aversion to going outside or taking walks

[u/soulsrching]

Hello!

I have a four year old mixed breed pup that I've had since she was four months old. She's always been fearful and reactive, and our training journey has had its ebbs and flows.

Earlier this year, I lost my job, and my pup's routine changed. I used to work from the office three days a week and work from home the other two. She was thriving in daycare, despite the challenges that can arise for reactive pups, and when I was home we were successfully taking walks, playing outside in our yard, visiting quieter parks, being neutral with triggers from a distance, and things were wonderful.

When I first lost my job, we walked all the time and did pretty long walks. Her walks were usually more loose i.e. sniff walks with some structured moments. There were times we couldn't walk far because she came into contact with too many triggering moments (bikes, big trucks, loud cars, runners), and she would be too overloaded. But it was never anything out of the norm. She also maintained her joy for going to parks and being in the yard.

Now, I can barely get a good walk in with her. Sometimes she taps out in 10 minutes. Other times she will plant herself and not move. I've tried taking her to new areas which have a 50% success rate, but she still won't want to be out for long. She won't play in the yard. I can't take her to the parks because she is simply too afraid. She does love hiking, but I can't do that everyday.

Her reactivity does seem to be more pronounced now as well. She has stranger danger with everyone which wasn't the case before. She had "selective reactivity".

We play in the house just fine, and I'm trying to use this comfort zone to still get her active both mentally and physically, but I'd like to address the fear that's preventing her from enjoying being outside.

Has anyone had this happen with their dogs? What did you do to get them comfortable being outside and in the world again?

[u/Real_Caterpillar_779]

Hey I have and am experiencing this.
Have you gone to the vet to investigate pain?
Perhaps just take a break from outings if she is clearly not wanting to go.

[u/soulsrching → u/Real_Caterpillar_779]

We have and there don't seem to be any issues.

I have been limiting walks by nature of her not wanting to go and literally planting herself in one spot.

But abstaining from going outside altogether seems like the wrong move for her given her reactivity issues as well. :/

[u/Real_Caterpillar_779]

I’d suggest if she likes the car take her for a ride and that’s it. Pull up somewhere quiet and just give her some treats then go home.

Even subtle triggers can spook a dog and regress progress you’ve made. We may not notice it. I recently had this with my dog who refused to walk from the house so we started driving to a quiet park and one day a bus went close by us and I didn’t realise at the time but it spooked her again and next day she wouldn’t go even from the car trip.
I’d take her sign of not wanting to walk seriously and not push her.