Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 1/23/2012

Question
Hello, my 8yrold bitch, Sadie hurt her leg last week whilst out on a walk. We took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with a suspected sprained Achilles. Although she is not limping now she obviously still gets the occasional pain. The problem is, is that she is now terrified to go outside. She normally works with me as i have a gardening business and loves it !  Now however she will not set foot outside the door. I thought today that i would try and take her with me for 10mins. I had to carry her into the car (wrong I know now) but could not get her out the other side. She just sat there shaking, i didn't show her affection at this point as i didn't want to encourage the fear. Its so sad seeing her like this and I'd just like to know what to do for the best as I don't want it getting out of hand.
Thanks.

Answer
No, you did NOT make a mistake by what you did.  You carried her to the car (where she is accustomed to riding) to a place she loves.  The problem is returning home: she may very well have a conditioned fear response to "home" since it is where the pain was felt.  Try stopping someplace else, such as a place where she has never been but is beautiful and interesting.  Step out of the car, hold onto her leash, do nothing.  If she refuses to move and is full fight/flight/freeze mode, sit on the ground near the car.  Have special high value treats (hot dog bits).  Hold one out, put it to her nose, then wait.  Repeat this until she's certain that treat is there.  If she makes ANY move to get out of the car, praise her and wait (reminding her of the treat by showing it to her).  The goal is to get her to voluntarily GET OUT OF THE CAR.  When that happens, jackpot (handful of hot dog bits) and go back into the car with her to another place.  Repeat above.  Do this over and over again in one day until she WILLINGLY gets out of the car immediately for the "jackpot".  Repeat for a few days then pull into your property (just at the beginning of it) and repeat your performance: leave the car, sit and wait.  The goal NOW is to get her to get out of the car voluntarily for the jackpot.  Once that happens, raise the threshold: she will get a jackpot only if she takes a few steps toward you as you back up.  What you're doing is counter conditioning.  It may take days, it may take weeks, it may take only a day or two.  

If none of this works, go to the veterinarian and put the dog on a beta blocker (propanolol) which will effect the rush of adrenaline (part of the fight/flight/freeze response) and make it easier to counter condition.  This injury was recent and obviously quite traumatic for her.  Time and counter conditioning, plus the addition of medication of necessary, should help the dog to begin to experience being "on the ground" in your home area with less fear.

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