Hi all. After several bits of advice i decided to start toilet training my puppy outside instead of to paper but I now have a new problem. She is terrified of going outside! She sits and cowers at my feet even though we're only in the back garden and no one else is about. Any idea on how to help her adjust?

It is sad that the breeder had not got your pup used to being outside, but I can only suggest that you make short trips outside without making any demands on the pup and then back inside until it realises that there is no danger in going outside, should not take very long.

Whatever you do dont make a bg thing out of it. Just wander outside then back inside. Do it as often as you can. Try to convey to it is nothing unusual. Talk to her by all means but dont sound in any way worried. The big bold confident approach will work best.

Regards, John

Be patient.

If she hasn't been outdoors for a while she is scared of the big outside! This is why pups need to taken everywhere possible in their first few weeks of life. Are you taking her (carrying of course) round the town, to the shops, past the railway station, past busy traffic, to meet horses, cows, sheep etc - to see old people, young people, children, prams, pushchairs, bikes - people with hats, people with beards, wheelchairs - you name it, the pup needs to have seen them, in saftey, before it is 16 weeks maximum.

When you're in your back garden, just take her out, put her down beside you and ignore her. Don't fuss her and 'reassure' her - you will only be rewarding her nervousness. Potter about the garden and let her get used to it in her own time. She'll be as bold as brass in a few days!

Good luck.
:)

Wow! Well that was easy! we have just been outside and i ignored cher when she cried so she soon got bored and started to explore! It was a  bit too cold for her but apart from that was all good so the toilet training can really start now.
Thanks guys.
Love Jo and Angel

;)

:)

Well done - your puppy will thank you in her own way, and when she's all grown up you'll wonder what all the fuss was about ;)