Sorry, but this might be a bit long as it is difficult to explain.  As most will know we had problems with our rescue Weimaraner dog Casper earlier in the year.  He is very much improved - a totaly different dog, but since we moved he has been displaying increasingly strange behaviour when going to the dogs fenced off area of the garden.  We might, for example go out for a walk and when we get back the dogs will be running around in the main the garden.  We tell them all 'away' and they all run into 'their' garden, with the exception of Casper, who will lie down in the main garden and refuse to move.  At first he would just stand there and as soon as you went to him he would go to the 'dog garden', but now he will lie down, absolutely rigid and trembling.  The only way to move him is to put a lead on him, but as soon as the lead is on he will just fly to the dog garden, frequently pulling the lead out of our hands as he goes at full speed towards the gate.  He seems very happy with life at the moment, and when we are in the main garden with the gate to the dog garden open he will happily wander between the two.  I will add that when he won't move from the main garden, he is in a very 'wired' state, pupils dilated, tail rigid, body trembling.  He used to get like this before we moved here and if we tried to take off him what he had in his mouth, or move him out of the way he would bite (only OH, never me).  We are happy to carry on as we do at the moment, it is not a problem at all, but I would just love to know what goes on in his head when he does this - any ideas?

Just to add that if we come back from a walk and take him down the garden with his lead on we have no problems at all - he is quite happy to trot down to the dogs area with no problem at all.

You are just going to have to give him time. As a rescue he probably thinks he's going to be moved on again and is confused.

It could be that he is frightened of the dog garden for some reason and just doesnt like it or it could be that when you say 'away' hes not sure what youre asking of him. Whats he like? Is he nervous or confident? My dog does exactly as you have described when he doesnt know what im asking him to do. Be careful though as mine has always been a nervous dog (I have no idea why) and is now starting to show signs of fear aggression and when they go rigid as you have described, it can be a sign that they are about to snap at you. You could try a behaviouralist as we are doing.

Leads can make a dog feel confident (they can also have the opposite effect) and perhaps thats why he goes to the dog garden when on lead - because hes certain what youre asking him to do. I would try going back to basics for a few weeks and see if it makes any difference eg, when you come home keep him on the lead and say 'away' and take him to the garden giving lots of praise. Then walk part of the way on lead, let him off but keep him at your side and say 'away', giving lots of praise and so on until he is able to understand what you are asking him to do and do it with some level of confidence.

This is of course just my opinion based on the litte info you have given and you know his history far better than anyone. However, I can totally relate to you trying to understand whats going on in his head when hes like this as thats what I seem to constantly be doing with Sox. It sounds like you have made great progress and im sure you will get through this too.

Best of luck
Caroline

Just my opinion but sometimes it seems that my dog will make an association with something and I haven't a clue as to how it has come about.  An example is that whenever she hears me take the lid off the teapot she shoots past me and cries to go into the garden.  She isn't frightened or nervous at this time but excited.  I can't pinpoint the first time it happened but even if I had there is no guarantee I would pick up on the association she has made.  BTW she isn't asking for a cuppa :D

Perhaps your dog has made an association with the routine you have regarding the gardens or a combination of the garden and commands.

Thanks for your replies - Caroline, you may have something about looking back at his history.  He was kept in a small shed in a back yard, locked up for much of the time and never walked.  I think now that he perhaps associates being shut into the dog garden with being shut away and never let out again.  The dog garden is quite large, larger than the whole of our old garden, but is away from the main house - and the 'dog house' is a shed.  I guess he is happy to wander between the two gardens when the gates are open because he isn't being restricted in any way.  Incedently, he is quite happy once the gate is closed and he is in there - trees to pee up, lawn to dig up , a veritable doggy heaven :D  I will now get my thinking cap on and think about how best to make him feel better about this.  99% of his other problems (which generally ended up with OH being bitten) are now seemingly solved, so hopefully we can sort this one out for him too.

Thanks everyone!

Louise

Hi Louise

It will make a difference with the gate being open as if its open he will feel less clostrophobic. But the fact that he will wander in and out does make me wonder if its the command rather than the garden that makes him feel a bit nervy.

I hope it all works out for you
Caroline