Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I am a new member and have 2 Siberian Huskies. A male (Mocha - 6yrs) and a female (Nika - 5yrs).

We are having problems getting Nika outside. She used to love to go for walks (2 a day) and now has to be bribed to just go outside to go to the bathroom. This has been going on for 4-6 months but is getting progressively worse. Some days she is waiting as long as 18-20 hrs to go to the bathroom.

We live in the village and the dogs are on a run. They are only allowed outside when we are home.

Her brother Mocha on the other hand is outside as much as possible.

To our knowledge she has not had any traumatic experiences. We recently took her to the vet for bloodwork and it came back fine.

The vet has suggested that perhaps this is an attachment issue with us and has suggested that we wean her from sleeping in our bedroom and to also make her wait at lest 30 minutes when we get home from work before giving her attention.

We are trying what the vet has suggested, but do not really believe this is the problem. We are not trying to get her out of the house without us.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

What are you bribing her with? Maybe that's part of the problem? She now associates going outside with stress (because she reads your stress), and realizes as well that you are willing to bribe her with food, etc. I think after 4-6 months it's time to call a behaviorist. I finally called a behaviorist to deal with my husky's AWFUL, PSYCHOTIC separation anxiety (she was an abuse case at the rescue I got her from). Behavioral modifcation techniques (for the dog AND for me) and a daily dose of clomicalm have transformed my dog. It cost some $$ (not a ton, but not a little, either), but the difference is SO amazing in my dog, that I consider it was worth more than I paid. I've had huskies for more than 20 years, but this little girl stumped me cold with her odd behavior. My dog used to eat inedible objects, too (PICA). She swallowed a WHOLE t-shirt of mine...swallowed it in two pieces...WHOLE, and needed it removed surgically. The training and clomicalm helped with THAT little talent of hers, too. ANyway, I'd call someone to come help.

We just started having to bribe her about 1 month ago. We give her little pieces of turkey.

Last night we bribed her and she went out and went to the bathroom, then about a half hour later she wanted to go out again and did so with no bribing. We do make sure to praise her for going out.

This morning she also went out for a walk without bribing. Most of the time I can stand with the front door open for 10 minutes and she will stand in the doorway and look out, but not go out. I am currently looking into some other options for help, but thought maybe someone else had some ideas as well.

So, if you sit outside on a lawn chair with the door open, does she come out to you?

Maybe you should find a place with a fenced yard.

Walt

We can leave the door open and go into the yard but she will still either stand in the doorway or lay down. We would like to fence in our yard, it is just so expensive.

At this point it doesn't seem to matter that we are going outside with her, she still does not want to go.

>>We can leave the door open and go into the yard but she will still either stand in the doorway or lay down. We would like to fence in our yard, it is just so expensive.
>>
>>At this point it doesn't seem to matter that we are going outside with her, she still does not want to go.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

On any kind of tie-out, dogs are vulnerable to other dogs or people doing things to them. Dogs on tie-outs, even with running lines, are at high risk for developing aggression. Even if it's just a small area, a fence is important. Quite possibly the dog is afraid to go outside because she has good reason to be, from something that has happened out there.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

"Dogs on tie-outs, even with running lines, are at high risk for developing aggression."

I'm curious as to how you come by this logic Kathy?
I know many people who keep there dogs tied out all day long, and were very friendly and not at all agressive.
I've actually met many more inside dogs that were agressive then dogs that live there lives tied out.

I think that has more to do with how the tie out dogs area treated, then actually how they spend there days. To many people just tie a dog out and leave it there to it's own devices, coming outside now and again to feed it and that's about it. Those dogs are very likely to become agressive.
However if you make regular trips to the outside to see the dog and still give plenty of excersize and attention then the trend seems to be that they remain healthy well adjusted dogs who are happy to see people.

>>"Dogs on tie-outs, even with running lines, are at high risk for developing aggression."
>>
>>I'm curious as to how you come by this logic Kathy?
>>I know many people who keep there dogs tied out all day long, and were very friendly and not at all agressive.
>>I've actually met many more inside dogs that were agressive then dogs that live there lives tied out.
>>
>>I think that has more to do with how the tie out dogs area treated, then actually how they spend there days. To many people just tie a dog out and leave it there to it's own devices, coming outside now and again to feed it and that's about it. Those dogs are very likely to become agressive.
>>However if you make regular trips to the outside to see the dog and still give plenty of excersize and attention then the trend seems to be that they remain healthy well adjusted dogs who are happy to see people.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

The problem with tie outs and temperament is teasing from children, attacks by other dogs, and things passing the dog within sight but out of reach. If the dog is in a totally secure, sight-proof situation, you might not have a problem. Wouldn't likely be using a tie-out, either, though. The HSUS and USDA both have taken positions on tie-out as the means of confinement for a dog.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

You can get exemptions from those rules etc. depending on your situation... although that's typically reserved for people with larger kennels... not just 1-2 dogs.

However, I do agree that if you live in a city or well populated area then it probably is not the best way due to inconsiderate people who let there dog roam free to do as it wishes, or children that like to throw stuff etc.

Just wanted to make sure you weren't blaming the tie out for the bad behaviour of the dog.

hms71393,
I sent you a message regarding this