My puppy is 7 months old and is developing a strange habit.

He doesn't want to go outside to potty (or play) by himself. He isn't going in the house, but I have to literally push him out the door. He will follow me if I walk to the yard with him, but I don't want this to become a habit (I want to open the door and say go outside). He had been doing it just fine for months, I don't know what's changed. If I get him to go out he sits at the door (sliding glass door) and cries. If walk out of view and leave him out there for a few minutes, he eventually goes and plays in the yard and is fine. I only leave him out there for about 15 minutes, he can see me through the office window and his doggy buddy is usually out there (next door).

I am home all day, so he gets plenty of attention.

Any ideas why he is doing this and what can be done?

Thanks!

Have you failed to notice the time of year, and all those jolly fireworks going off. Even if he doesn't show much fear the sounds may just be enough to make him uneasy about going outside alone.

No Fireworks in the US.

Sorry:D

They are an absolute plague here, and I am so thankful that none of my dogs are bothered by them. This year they haven't even given an Alert, Alert, bark when they first start in the evening.

You have just had the clocks turned back as we have. It could be he doesn't like the dark, or something outside has given him a fright. Also has he had his eyes tested (don't know if Mini S's get PRA?).

We've had the same problem with one of our Shepherds. Once it gets dark, she doesn't want to go outside (fireworks have definately caused this one!) So just now, I'm going out with them when they go to pee!

Sarah.

At 7 months, if he was in the wild, he would be begining to make explorations by himself, to keep him safe Mother Nature has given him an extra wariness of the big wide world which appears to kick in at around 6-7 months in most dogs. To help him through this phase you need to make going outside a pleasant experience, make sure he is *safe* and provide him with interesting things to do. To start with try leaving him outside with a chewy or a stuffed food toy for a very short period (10 - 20 seconds to start with)leave the door open if you like - if he doesn't make a fuss go out and play with him for a short while, then bring in him, slowly increase the amount of time you expect him to be out by himself, and save the special toys and chews for this training session (ie he doesn't get them at any other time)....... Most puppies will learn that settling down and doing their own thing outside brings rewards.......

I would love to know what works to get your dog to stay outside! My GSD is 2 years old and for the last 6 months he doesn't want to go outside alone. My roommate says that he is fine outside when I'm not home. As soon as I get home he whines. He is usually in the house when I'm gone to work beause neighbors have told me that he whines when noone's home. If he wants to go out himself he is great for hours outside. But when I put him out (like just before bedtime) he won't go out. He used to love being outside more than inside, so I'm not sure what the problem is.
I've tried giving him toys or treats he loves, telling him to be quiet when he whines and only bring him inside when he's quiet, leaving him inside and only out when he asks. But nothing has worked yet.

I wasn't aware that there are no fireworks in the States - have you ever had them, or were they banned?

Lindsay

Fireworks are legal here, but usually used only during the 4th if July Independence celebration and occasionally new years

How is he if you go out with him? It could be that he misses you when you're out at work so needs the company of his 'pack' when you're home. Don't forget that being put away from the family group is perceived as a punishment and he won't know what he's done wrong.....
:)

He is totally happy when I'm out with him. He just won't be out by himself unless it's his idea. When he asks to go out he will stay out for hours! I love being with him and playing with him, but there are some times when I have things to do! Should I keep him inside unless he asks so he doesn't think he's being pinished? He is so attathed to me and won't leave me out of his sight. Is this healthy?

No it's not healthy :( He needs to be taught that it's OK to be out of your sight - ideally this should start as soon as the puppy comes home from his breeder, but it's never too late........ Start to close the door for simply a second or two, and only come back when he's quiet - if he starts to make a noise you've left it too long........ Make sure he's got something good to occupy him when you leave the room, so he hardly notices you've gone :)

When I first got him, about 4 months old, he was totally an outside dog. He's been inside/outside dog for over a year now. It's just been the last 6 months that he wants to be with me more than alone. Has it taken him this long to be loyal to me and now he's so loyal he doesn't want me out of his sight? Last night we went out and I played with him for about 45 minutes. Then I went in and he wanted to stay out and he was out until I wanted to go bed. I know he is able to do it, but I want to know why he won't other times.