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Hi all, I am Deborah. I have a Lab that was recently spayed. Since coming home from the Vets (spay) she has been afraid to go outside alone and do her business. We have tried a few different things to get her to go out. Not working. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you figure out to do? This dog has NEVER been afraid of anything. Wondering if it is hormonal related?
Thanks for any help.
Hi Deborah. Is the dog still in pain and perhaps afraid of the pain involved in doing her business? Perhaps you should get the vet to check her over.
Hello Deborah. How long has it been since she had surgery? I think it would be a good idea to rule out pain or infection first. I cant think why being spayed would make the dog afraid to go outside. Did she have to wear one of those cone things to stop her getting at her stitches, could that have frightened her in some way?
Describe what she does. Does she refuse to go out? Does she act afraid but still go out? If she refuses to go out alone, what happens if you put a leash on her to take her out. Will she go out willingly when you go with her without a leash? It is she is afraid to go out or afraid to go out alone? If you don't take her out does she potty inside?
That is definitely unusual behavior. I would contact the vet as there is a probability of some infection or other issue.
Hi Deborah. I agree with the others that you should get her checked by the vet to make sure nothing is wrong (possibly even the anesthetic may have a lingering effect). She may be a bit freaked out that all of a sudden she's sore and doesn't know why or where it came from. I have a 3 year old female that was already spayed when I got her at 2 months, and just recently she has been acting afraid to go out and all spooky when she's out in the yard (especially if my other dog is not out with her). There is absolutely no reason for this that I can see - nothing that I know of that scared her. She was also not afraid of anything and is starting to be wary and scared of many things including strange people. I just continue to make her go outside and don't baby her when she gets scared. Just lead her out confidently and maybe she'll get over it. Maybe a treat after she successfully potties outside would help. I guess just like people they develop quirks over time for whatever reason - probably the best thing we can do is be consistent with them. Good luck!
It would be good to know the answers to some of Bills questions. Are you sure that the fear of going outside is linked to her surgery? Could something else have frightened her such as being shut out, trouble with a cat or perhaps something the neighbours did.
Years ago my dog Meg got very upset about going out for walks, each time she went through the front garden she did a 'scooby doo walk' with her tail under her chin. It took a couple of weeks to work out that she was afraid of a carrier bag stuck in the tree outside our gate. So it could be something very simple that is bothering her.
Make sure you let us know what you do. I think we're all curious as to the outcome.
Yes, I would like to know the outcome, I can't think why the two events would be connected.
Not that we can tell. I did talk withe the Vet. May take her to a different Vet, than who did the spay.
Surgery was over a month ago, No, no cone. First thing I asked about was something outside... nothing we can come up with. Didn't touch the stitches. I can't imagine why a spay would cause her to not go outside either... I am looking at this from all angles.
She will not go out without a person. If you get her out, she stands at the back door and won't go do her business. If you go out with her, she might do her business. She will do her business in the house, in the childs room, which she NEVER has done. She was totally housetrained with no problems. This is a dog that was VERY active, outgoing, very well trained, Service Dog (so nothing bothers her...), etc...
The reason she was spayed when she was, is due to her going into season (full cycle) out for two weeks and then back in again. That is the reason I question hormonal related...
No, she won't go willingly on leash...
Did that. No ideas from Vet either.... No infection.
She is not being babyed as that is part of the Service training also. Consistency, confidently and continual she is being taken out. I will tell her to go back to giving a 'special' treat for going outside.
Well, no I am not sure of anything. However, before contacting the Vet, I went over all the obvious things. Fireworks, animal in yard, etc... just still a mystery....
This is what I have been hoping for, something really simple. Haven't seen that yet. Deserves another look around.
I will. I appreciate all of your suggestions, believe me. I am going to go out and take another look around and see if 'we' can see something....
Taking another body with me. Three heads are better than one! Also, I can see what she will do when I tell her to go outside. I will update you. THANKS! Deborah
I can't either, but ya just never know.... Whatever the issue, we need to get this resolved soon! Thanks!