I can understand your worry. Something had to have happened, somehow, that first put this behavior into him. That is the strange part.

Dogs are funny though. We've had a Bulldogger friends black Lincoln parked in our drive-way since last Friday while they are out of town. Well, the first two days was absolutely comical....now it's gotten better. But Chancey would not, in any way or form, come out the front door on her own and walk past it. You had to take her by the collar and walk her, and she was pulling and scooting as far away from it as she could.

I jokingly said that she is a "middle-class" dog, used to our Chevy and Dodge, and this darn high class Lincoln scares her to death. But, my husband came up with his answer. The car is black and shiny, Chancey is white, she sees her reflection in this "strange" car, and that is why she is afraid to walk by....I don't know, but she still skirts around it real fast, keeping an eye on it like it's going to bite her.

Thx Net
I done just that last night. Normally when he hears the front door he goes mad or if I say walkies....but nothing worked so I just left him there. Went to the train station to collect my partner was gone for about 45 mins, come back and he was still hiding behind my plant pot.....i give up.

I tried pushing him in but no joy, so left him there

can you not just leave him out for a bit then? and ignore him? are you fenced in that you could do that? my bulldog gets a little stubborn at times, so I just say "fine" stay out! If it's too hot though, I'll get behind him and scootch his little butt in the house, but otherwise, let him stay out for a bit and ignore him.

with a skittish greyhound who also likes to [on the sneak] play 'boss'. I tried alot of the techniques and it does help when a dog knows who's in charge so they can relax. He also freaks out about thunder/lightening and not coddling him has helped him over his fear somewhat because he sees that since no one else is freaking out or rewarding his scardey cat behaviour, it must not be anything to worry about. A relaxed dog is one who knows who is in charge and that's what the article talks about and ways to reinforce pack order in your house. Good luck!

I read that article thanks, i'll bear it in mind.

Vanessa
I've tried all that. I've been nice, i've been firm, i've given him treats. He's really crafty will do it if there's food about. But then again yesterday, i couldnt get him in and treats, firmness, nothing worked

Claire,
When Buddy is acting scared, how do you respond to him? Cuddling him and trying to calm him only reinforces his behavior. I know it's hard, but you should ignore his scared behavior. Try getting him something yummy (cheese, yogurt, hamburger, new bone) that he can only have when he goes out and when he comes in from outside. Let him come out on his own - open the door and begin playing with the new treat or toy and do the same when you want him to come inside.

Good luck!
Vanessa

pregnant. I've seen several shows about dogs who can predict epilepy attacks up to an hour in advance. They do so by picking up the scent of very subtle chemical messengers released in their owner's body prior to the attacks. So, if dogs can pick up on that, they must surely be able to pick up on the chemical changes a woman's body goes thru during pregnancy.

when I read I though of you and Buddy...maybe it could help.

~cristina~

I have no idea either....... Is that him with the binky?! LOL, too cute. When I do that to Spike (leave him outside if he doesn't want to come in on request), he gets really mad and scootches to the door. He doesn't like to be ignored. HOpe things get better