Terrified Terrier.
Discussion
TL,DR:
Blind Bedlington Terrier scared to go outside.
Four years ago we adopted a blind Bedlington Terrier. Noone wanted him and he'd been on the Dog's Trust books for about a year. Handed in in Northern Ireland, he made it to a centre near us in England.
He became a "brother" to our other Beddy. They get on well.
He's about 5 or 6 now and we know nothing of his history. He's not been easy. With lots of skin problems and house training. We think he may have been a working dog judging by his keen nose for mice etc. He also likes to play quite roughly.
The way he copes with his extreme partial sight is amazing. He's very clever, and learns quickly . For example "STOP" when he's about to run into a chair or something.
He is also usually a fearless little lad. He loves walks - obviously on a lead - and just loves to get stuck in. He isn't great with other dogs apart from ours - another male - who he appears to adore.
He's fully integrated with us. Incredibly loving, brilliant with our 5 year old neice.
He's not fully house trained in so much as he gets anxious when he is left - even with our other dog. Videos show he goes for a pee in the hall of kitchen within minutes of us leaving the house.
He is now refusing to go out the back door for the toilet. He's fine on walks, full of his usual confidence. He used to love the back, sniffing running round, barking - normal dog stuff.
I've resorted to taking him on lots and lots of little walks just to get him to do his business. Not much fun when you wake at 3 am and find him pacing round desperate for the loo.
He's the same day or night. I've tried doing fun things with our other dog outside - things he likes like rope pulling and eating chicken. He just won't come out.
This has developed in the past month. I'm wondering if it's linked to fireworks. We don't have many locally but one of the houses over the back had this November 5th.
If you got this far. Thanks.
I'm really at a loss as to what to do.
Blind Bedlington Terrier scared to go outside.
Four years ago we adopted a blind Bedlington Terrier. Noone wanted him and he'd been on the Dog's Trust books for about a year. Handed in in Northern Ireland, he made it to a centre near us in England.
He became a "brother" to our other Beddy. They get on well.
He's about 5 or 6 now and we know nothing of his history. He's not been easy. With lots of skin problems and house training. We think he may have been a working dog judging by his keen nose for mice etc. He also likes to play quite roughly.
The way he copes with his extreme partial sight is amazing. He's very clever, and learns quickly . For example "STOP" when he's about to run into a chair or something.
He is also usually a fearless little lad. He loves walks - obviously on a lead - and just loves to get stuck in. He isn't great with other dogs apart from ours - another male - who he appears to adore.
He's fully integrated with us. Incredibly loving, brilliant with our 5 year old neice.
He's not fully house trained in so much as he gets anxious when he is left - even with our other dog. Videos show he goes for a pee in the hall of kitchen within minutes of us leaving the house.
He is now refusing to go out the back door for the toilet. He's fine on walks, full of his usual confidence. He used to love the back, sniffing running round, barking - normal dog stuff.
I've resorted to taking him on lots and lots of little walks just to get him to do his business. Not much fun when you wake at 3 am and find him pacing round desperate for the loo.
He's the same day or night. I've tried doing fun things with our other dog outside - things he likes like rope pulling and eating chicken. He just won't come out.
This has developed in the past month. I'm wondering if it's linked to fireworks. We don't have many locally but one of the houses over the back had this November 5th.
If you got this far. Thanks.
I'm really at a loss as to what to do.
May be a very stupid question, but (assuming you have a suitable route) could you take him out the front door and into the back garden?
Otherwise, could you pick him up and carry him out to the back garden?
Both these measures might only be needed on a temporary basis until he gets his confidence back.
Has there been any change in surface that he can feel (eg new doormat), or new plants near the back door/in the garden that he can smell, as I'd imagine a blind dog would be even more sensitive than one that can see?
What does he do once out there? Does he want to go straight back in, or does he act normally?
Might be worth contacting Dogs Trust, because I believe they have behavioural experts and I would hope they would offer lifetime back-up for one of their dogs.
Bless him, I hope you can sort something. Love Beddies (and would love to see a photo).
Otherwise, could you pick him up and carry him out to the back garden?
Both these measures might only be needed on a temporary basis until he gets his confidence back.
Has there been any change in surface that he can feel (eg new doormat), or new plants near the back door/in the garden that he can smell, as I'd imagine a blind dog would be even more sensitive than one that can see?
What does he do once out there? Does he want to go straight back in, or does he act normally?
Might be worth contacting Dogs Trust, because I believe they have behavioural experts and I would hope they would offer lifetime back-up for one of their dogs.
Bless him, I hope you can sort something. Love Beddies (and would love to see a photo).
Nothing physical has changed to the surroundings .
I picked him up and took him out for chicken today. He ate it then made his way inside.
When out, he stands on the door step and acts scared. Freezes.
The only times recently that he’s voluntarily gone out is when he was so desperate for the loo that he just shot out the door.
Good call with the Dogs Trust.
I picked him up and took him out for chicken today. He ate it then made his way inside.
When out, he stands on the door step and acts scared. Freezes.
The only times recently that he’s voluntarily gone out is when he was so desperate for the loo that he just shot out the door.
Good call with the Dogs Trust.
Gorgeous 
Good luck. The fact that he eats out there is a positive sign. A really scared dog generally wouldn't touch food. So it may be a gradual process of getting his confidence back. But unfortunately it's a horrible time of year to be dealing with this in the cold and dark, and if it is (as you suspect) to do with fireworks, there may be more over Christmas and New Year
Hope the Dogs Trust can help. Keep us updated.
Good luck. The fact that he eats out there is a positive sign. A really scared dog generally wouldn't touch food. So it may be a gradual process of getting his confidence back. But unfortunately it's a horrible time of year to be dealing with this in the cold and dark, and if it is (as you suspect) to do with fireworks, there may be more over Christmas and New Year
Hope the Dogs Trust can help. Keep us updated.
He isn’t totally blind. He’s like this day and night. If it was warmer I’d just leave the back door open,
Bedlington Terriers can be wilful and stubborn. He’s clearly got something into his head and made his mind up,
Because of lock down I can’t borrow my niece. The dogs love her and follow her all over when she stays. Even at age 5, I’m sure she could tempt him outside.
Bedlington Terriers can be wilful and stubborn. He’s clearly got something into his head and made his mind up,
Because of lock down I can’t borrow my niece. The dogs love her and follow her all over when she stays. Even at age 5, I’m sure she could tempt him outside.
Or Fifi in heat dragging herself along the lawn.
Some background music may help dampen down any other noises that might worry the pooch? At the end of the day it needs to sound and smell calm to the pooch. OP could sit out there and listen to the radio if it's not to cold.
Some background music may help dampen down any other noises that might worry the pooch? At the end of the day it needs to sound and smell calm to the pooch. OP could sit out there and listen to the radio if it's not to cold.
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 9th December 20:23
I would also look at trying a thunder vest or even just a tight fitting kids tshirt. There are some pet calming plug ins that can be tried. When I’ve house trained reluctant dogs, I’ve ended up putting the harness and lead on and taking them into the back garden to do their business. On the hour take them outside for 20 minutes or until they’ve done their stuff. Then treats and big fusses. Lift water early evening so that by going out a few times after, hopefully they have an empty bladder at bedtime.
Bullybutt said:
I would also look at trying a thunder vest or even just a tight fitting kids tshirt. There are some pet calming plug ins that can be tried. When I’ve house trained reluctant dogs, I’ve ended up putting the harness and lead on and taking them into the back garden to do their business. On the hour take them outside for 20 minutes or until they’ve done their stuff. Then treats and big fusses. Lift water early evening so that by going out a few times after, hopefully they have an empty bladder at bedtime.
Great advice thanks. He’s got a full harness think that my wife got him. Full police spec thing. He lives wearing it
I’ll try that.
Yet!
I hope this isn’t a one off.
He got up this morning and actually asked to go out. It didn’t seem to be some emergency pee. He did a bit of wandering first. A great fuss was made of him when he came back in.
I hope it’s not a one off.
As an aside, his latest habit when I take him for little walks round the front of the house is to crawl under one of the cars. Remember he is blind so smell is a big deal to him I’d imagine. The Disco sport has had a few rural trips of late and I’m wondering if there’s something organic and rotting stuck under there.
I hope this isn’t a one off.
He got up this morning and actually asked to go out. It didn’t seem to be some emergency pee. He did a bit of wandering first. A great fuss was made of him when he came back in.
I hope it’s not a one off.
As an aside, his latest habit when I take him for little walks round the front of the house is to crawl under one of the cars. Remember he is blind so smell is a big deal to him I’d imagine. The Disco sport has had a few rural trips of late and I’m wondering if there’s something organic and rotting stuck under there.
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