Dog suddenly refusing to set foot in the garden

[MissShapesMissStakes]

He's 3 and suddenly yesterday afternoon he seemed reluctant to go on the grass. He stood on the decking looking down the steps and seemed nervous of something. Then walked back in the house.

I thought nothing of it.
We've added a bike shed to the garden and I had turned out some very smelly old soil from the bottom of a planter but only a little went on the grass. The rest I put on the compost heap really far away. So I thought maybe that or the change had put him off.

But this morning he's refused to go on. After two hours of being up he still refused and had to be taken for a walk so he could toilet as he usually goes in the garden.

I just can't think what it is. I've shown him the bike shed and he wasn't that interested. Normally if he's nervous of something he'd bark at it until I touch it and then he's fine. He didn't seem bothered at all.

I know we have foxes and a badger at night but they aren't new so I'm thinking it's not that.

He wouldn't even go on the grass for a biscuit or to play chase with my kids and he usually loves that. He's racing about inside the house playing so I don't think it's related to pain or anything.

Any ideas?!

Might he have stepped on something out there - a bee? Or a thorn or something?

Will he go out for a walk away from the house? If you can get him to get his lead on to go for a walk, then you could try leading him out into the garden and just walking around to see if that works?

I suppose he could have. But he's such a wimp I would have expected some yelping at least. He's been stung before about a year ago and was ok after the initial drama

Not even for a biscuit - bloody hell! Odd. Good luck.

Try some cheese. Or ham. Or roast beef.

@MrsRobbieHart good idea. Hadn't thought of that. He's had a walk but not into the garden with his lead

Might need to bring out the big guns - cooked carrot!

@HeronLanyon I know!

Biscuits aren't very high value - have you tried using something like cheese, sausage or sprats?

It sounds like he's been spooked by something - a noise or smell perhaps. Remember, they can see, hear and smell so many things that we can't.

I dont know what the weather is like there but can you leave the door to the garden open all day so he can house to go out if he wants. I would be tempted to eat a picnic on the grass whilst ignoring him, the temptation of a sandwich might be too much.

Stray lion?

Thanks. I've tempted him on with a mini cheddar and cheese but then he ran back off the grass.

We are taking him out in an hour and I'll see if it's all grass or just our grass. He won't wee on the decking so I'm worried we will have to take him for a walk every time he needs a wee.

Also we have a 4 month old puppy who very much copies him so don't want to pass this worry of his on to her.

He has a level 2 luxating patella but he's not unwilling to run as long as he's not on the garden so assuming it's not that bothering him.

@Thecurtainsofdestiny - not seen one recently

Talking of wildlife - even the pigeon hasn't tempted him to a chase

Is it possible a NDN has got a sonic cat or dog barking deterent that you can't hear?

Mine sometimes won’t go on the grass if it’s too long, I have to mow it regularly?

Oh not thought about a sonic thing. But then I think he's not want to go out. It's the actual grass he won't go on.

Plus the puppy doesn't seem to hear it.

He also isn't keen on long grass, or wet grass but it's nice neat grass at the moment.

Our dog won't step foot in our yard although he is a Romanian Rescue with all the weird hang ups that come with that. He has to go on a walk everytime he needs a wee but that I only 3 or 4 times a day so it's not dissimilar to how manybwalks he would have anyway. Although I understand your concerns with the puppy!

Might a snake have been through your garden?
It is the right time of year and fear of them is instinctive for many.

Mine did this when I put a fence up lol. Eventually she would start coming out to do a wee and race straight back in. It took her about a couple of weeks to not be bothered anymore.
Hopefully yours settles in again once it realises the shed means no harm lol

(Our dogs avoid the shed area in our garden when there are slow-worms about. They have not been hurt by these - though may have encountered a snake in local woodland.)

What happens if you put him on a lead and tempt him out that way?

Right. Well we've just walked him and he was more than happy on the grass in the park. Didn't look at the grass even.

Came home and walked onto the garden lawn with him on his lead and he just put the breaks on.

Dh carried him to the bottom of the lawn and put him near the bench and he jumped onto the bench and stood there looking sad even when we all walked away!

I don't think it's just the lawn though because he also won't go on his favourite route down the back of the border to spy on next door's cat. Even though that's just soil.

Do you think a neighbour might have squirted him with water or otherwise tried to scare him off chasing the cat?

Pretty sure they wouldn't.

They don't mind him at all.

And he has no way of getting to the cat. The cat just likes to sit out of his reach. He doesn't even bark at it. Just watches. While it watches him.

Sounds creepy!

My dog and cats do exactly the same to each other