Four months ago we adopted a small dog that was hit by a car from the humane society. He has been the greatest little guy. We walk him at least four times a day and he has never had an accident. But lately he refuses to leave the house. When I put on his leach he pulls backwards and lies down. The only way I get him outside is to carry him to the corner, and then he pulls and tries to run home and does not think about doing his business. I have been putting him in the backyard, but he doesn’t do his business there either, so for the last few days he has been doing everything in the house. How can I get him to walk again and me curious of why he stopped all of a sudden? Thank you very much. Greg

I would say he's had a bad history and something has frightened him. He has realized he's safe in the house.

Will he go out in the yard with you?

Sounds like he hasn't had the best time outside like Judy said.

How old is the dog?

It may be something that can be eventually coaxed out of him but with abuse cases it is hard to do.

Whatever you do, don't force him to go outside, best way is to gain his trust first... you have only had him 4 months so give him a bit more time to see you as his family and that you aren't going to hurt him.
Then you can try to encourage him to go outside with toys and treats...

If he goes outside at all, praise him, give him lots of treats and attention and take him back inside for the day.

Repeat this everyday and try to go a little further each time.

If he has a bad day and gets scared at all, do not continue, take him back inside and wait until the next day to try again.

Sounds like he hasn't had the best time outside like Judy said.

How old is the dog?

It may be something that can be eventually coaxed out of him but with abuse cases it is hard to do.

Whatever you do, don't force him to go outside, best way is to gain his trust first... you have only had him 4 months so give him a bit more time to see you as his family and that you aren't going to hurt him.
Then you can try to encourage him to go outside with toys and treats...

If he goes outside at all, praise him, give him lots of treats and attention and take him back inside for the day.

Repeat this everyday and try to go a little further each time.

If he has a bad day and gets scared at all, do not continue, take him back inside and wait until the next day to try again.

He is 14 months old. He will go in the back yard and you have to stay with him.

At 14 months he would be pretty set in his ways by now.

Give what I said a go, it's worked for me in the past.

Or wait for some new ideas from other members :)

He is 14 months old. He will go in the back yard and you have to stay with him.


My older dog was abused. She was the same way for quite a while because once she felt secure in my house, then she became afraid of just about everything.

It passed but it took a while and a LOT of reassurance.

Since the dog trusts you and will go in the backyard with you. Make the back yard fun! Use the yard to play and incorporate a leash in the fun. Allow the dog to know that the leash and yard is good. Let me know if this helps!