Why does my dog get so anxious outside?

Dogs might be afraid to venture outside for a number of reasons, including: New puppy panic: Transitioning to a new home can be overwhelming for puppies, which means your pup might slam on the brakes the first time you try to take him for a walk. Negative experiences: Some dogs become reluctant to walk after having a scary experience outside. Insufficient socialization: Dogs who miss out on the critical socialization period during puppyhood might end up afraid to take walks. Never leash walked: Adolescent and adult rescue dogs can come from a variety of circumstances that might not have allowed them the opportunity to acclimate to leash walking. Pain: Dogs who are reluctant to go for a walk, or who suddenly refuse to walk, might be suffering from undiagnosed pain. Electric fence fear: Training a dog respond to an electronic containment system includes a session during which the dog gets shocked, and for some, the sensation is all it takes to make the yard a place where pain happens. Sound sensitivity: Some dogs pair a frightening sound, like a gun shot or fireworks, with the location they’re in when they hear it, which can result in the dog trying to avoid that location. Your dog’s fearfulness might manifest in obvious ways, like an outright refusal to walk or pulling hard on the leash to try to get back in the house. However, a dog in distress might signal his fearfulness in more subtle ways, like crouching and walking low to the ground, keeping the tail tucked, panting that isn’t related to temperature or activity level, frequent yawning or trembling. Dogs who move from a rural setting to a city environment might find the noise and crowds around them particularly challenging to navigate. Everything from overgrown toenails to muscle stains to arthritis can impact a dog’s willingness to walk. Some dogs generalize sound sensitivity, so a noise like a car backfiring can become stressors as well.