Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 11/11/2009

Question
My dog went outside about two weeks ago, he was back in the woods and started yelping, he came running out on three legs. He had a cut on his back left leg, we took him to the vet. They gave him medication for a small infection and had us soak it in Epsom salt. They said nothing was broken. After that he would go outside willingly, but then he would start running and then yelping and running on three legs, and want to go back inside. Since then it is IMPOSSIBLE to get him outside. If you even say the word outside to him he starts violently shaking. To get him outside we have to physically lift him up and get him outside. He will only go to the bathroom on cement, won't touch the grass. He starts shaking even harder once you get him outside. After he uses the bathroom he pulls as hard as he can to get back inside the house, as he pulls he starts yelping. He is a lab/springer mix, male, 5 years old. He has always LOVED going outside. He now lays on the couch all day long. I want my happy dog back, is there anything I can do?  

Answer
Samantha -

Obviously, your dog had a traumatic experience while on a visit outside.  It is difficult to determine what caused the trauma but that experience had a huge effect on your pet.

Perhaps the best thing to do is to go outside with your dog.  I think that if you take short trips with your pup to show him that whatever frightened him is no longer there, there is a possibility that his anxiety will be put at ease.  Take him out several times a day and then progress to letting him alone out for short periods.

If the steps mentioned above are not effective, perhaps a visit to your vet for meds that may help to ease your dog's anxiety.  Anti-anxiety drugs along with  behavior modification can often help to change behaviors cause by a traumatic event.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM