Why did my fearful dog relapse after being outside? How can I help?

I'm sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, I see this fairly commonly - it's one of the main reasons that I don't recommend invisible fences :( I would recommend working with Sophia over the next several days (or weeks, if needed) to help her learn to feel safe again in the yard. You can start by just sitting in the doorway with her and feeding her treats. When she is comfortable and relaxed in the doorway, try taking one step outside - stop and feed her treats there as well. Gradually work your way back out into the yard, step by step, with lots of praise and treats as long as she is comfortable. If she gets nervous or tense at all, just back up to where she was comfortable and start again. It may take quite a bit of time for her to learn to feel safe again, so you will need to be patient. In the meantime, you may need to drive her down the street to another grassy area to potty if she is too afraid to use the yard.

Unfortunately, it's likely impossible to know why Coco is acing this way. It's possible something has scared her in the back yard and now she has developed a negative association. You may try to counteract this by creating a positive association. Begin by having a high value treat or toy. Start playing/a training session inside the house by the door way. Do this for a few days. Once Coco seems comfortable playing by the door way, toss the toy or treat outside and allow her to retrieve it and come back inside. Do this until Coco is comfortable. Then move outside by the doorway way. Gradually move further and further away from the door way. Then begin gradually decreasing the play time and just hanging outside with her. Try not to leave her outside unattended until she seems comfortable. Try to identify any stressors such as construction noise or any children which may be teasing her. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sometimes dogs can get scared even when there does not appear to be anything scary in sight. Remember that they can hear and sense much better than us so he may be perceiving something that is near which you may not. This can improve but it can certainly become a bit difficult at times. I recommend that you start taking him out for longer periods but very slowly over the next several weeks. Encourage him to stay out with treats and positive words. Also, in the beginning just take him out without walking initially just to get him used to his surroundings. Eventually little by little he will learn that going outside equals getting treats and attention and will improve with time but it does require time and patience. You can consider using the Thunder shirt for him which you may find online and can help a lot in these cases. Good luck and have a great day!

Instead of focusing on the bad things, try to be positive when she does good things to give her more confidence. Doing an obedience class together may help improve your bond and make her feel more secure

Is it possile to go out another door, or to a different part of the yard? If not, you need to teach her, in very small doses, that it is okay to go out. Do not baby her ("Oh, poor puppy! It's going to be all right.), or she will pick up on your tone of voice and be even more scared. Instead, speak to her with confidence (Come on, Lola, let's go out!). If she gets through the door, stop, rward her with a treat, and stop the exercise. Next time, try to get a very little bit farther out the door. Keep inching out in increments until she is comfortable going outside again.

Something must have scared her and it will take some time to get her to relax again. I would ignore her, go sit in the room with her and have very tasty treats ready. Hopefully Merida will investigate the smell of the treats and you can offer them to her. I would only reach for her if she's relaxed and not hold her if she wants to get away. Gradually she'll learn you always have good treats and she will relax and start to come to you again and then you can start petting and playing with her. Please be calm and speak softly and even play with her toys without looking at her. She should become curious and want to join in. Again this may take some time and if you are too loud or forceful it may make her more fearful. Be patient and things should gradually get back to normal. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Merida.

It will probably take her some time to adjust to her new situation. Continue to socialize her as much as possible to get her used to being around other people and in different situations. You could also try an Adaptil collar and/or Solliquin chews to see if that helps her adjust. Good Luck!