Very nervous pup

[Goneback2school]

We have a 3.5 month old Springer Spaniel who is very anxious. It isn't about separation as he loves his crate and happily sleeps in it all night and at times during the day. He will refuse to leave it in the morning when we know he needs to go outside to pee. Any attempt to coax him out results in a panic pee and he will roll on his back and refuse to move. When we force the issue and get him past the doorway he will come out happily, do his business, might run or play for a bit but then tries to hightail back to the house and will drag us behind him. He pulls so hard he is choking himself with his collar. The panic pee will then repeat any time we even look like we might be taking him outside. There are dogs next door and he doesn't like when they bark.
Any ideas on how to help him or we will end up having to buy a lifetime supply of cleaning sprays and cloths!

Who lives in your house? Children? Adults? Other pets? What was he like your first day? When you met him and his litter mates? What's he like on a walk or with strangers?

Or is it simply the other dogs next door and it all comes down to them barking and him being too scared to go outside? If so, this is incredibly extreme and IMO not a situation that should be permanent for him. But more details would help.

We saw him with Mum and one litter mate. Was fine and playful with them. A little nervous initially when we first saw him but relaxed quickly. Was used to kids and other dogs. Husband and adult son and two younger kids-11 and 9 at home. We have not really brought him on a walk as he hasn't had 2nd vaccinations yet. There's a patch of grass across from us that once we get him out the door he will toilet and does enjoy play in but once he's done he tears back to go inside. He is the same in our back garden- the barking of the dogs next door is unpredictable as they are mostly inside but if they are out we have to pass right by their garden gate which he doesn't like. My mum came over a few days ago and he was shy initially but slowly warmed up to her- no pee as she made no moves to bring him out.
Our home environment is very different than where he was born, we are more rural with associated animal noise and we are on a road with cars, trucks, tractors etc whereas he is from a quieter housing estate garden.

That sounds pretty extreme and it would be worth getting the advice of a trainer earlier rather than later. I would book a home training session with someone (qualified and who uses positive training methods) to get some experienced eyes on the situation

How long has he been with you? Even without vaccinations, he should be taken out (carried) and exposed to new sights and sounds.

He's only tiny and I wouldn't panic too much just yet. The whole world is a terrifying place to puppies. When we had ours (sprocker) I used to tuck her inside a jacket when going on a walk with our older dog so she got used to noise, sights and sounds without it being so scary for her. Make sure that they're not getting over stimulated, and they have time for rest as well as playtime especially if you've got kids playing with them.

We did puppy classes which were brilliant and is a good way to socialise them in a controlled way.

Been with us two weeks. We are bringing him out, he just doesn't like walking yet. Here he is now snoozing on my lap after having zoomies in the garden.

At 3.5 months of age, he should be fully vaccinated and well on his way to being socialised and exposed to all the sights and sounds of the world. Is there a reason he wasn't appropriately vaccinated by the breeder if you've only had him two weeks?

Without wanting to scare you, the socialisation window for dogs closes at 16 weeks of age, so that gives you approx. two weeks to get him out and used to the world. He needs to be out everyday experiencing sights, sounds and smells in a positive way.

It also worries me that he was alone with his mum when you collected him - did he have any littermates? What socialisation was the breeder doing with him?

He had his first vaccinations but when we picked him up the second were a week past due so we started again.
He was one of 8 but the last to be picked up, his brother was collected the same day we got him so the breeder put Mum in with him so he wouldn't be alone. The breeder also had show dogs who were in neighbouring pens so he should be used to other dogs.
He is definitely better when out than he has been. He will run, pounce and play when out, is mainly the notion of going out that he doesn't like. We will continue with the exposure. He's really smart and is picking up his training very quickly too. When he has his second shots how should we go about introducing to other dogs like next doors to hopefully reduce the fear too?

Hi @Goneback2school
I am a bit late to this thread... but my thinking is, at around 12- 14 weeks many puppies go through a (2nd) fear stage. That and the fact that you have puppy for the best part of 10 days can explain a lot of the behaviour.

Remember, your puppy spend the first 12 weeks at the breeders, with mum, siblings and other (same breed) mates.

I doubt puppy has seen a lot of the outside world beyond the garden....
To me, the behaviour does sound on the slightly extreme but still normal side. Hes probably lucking some confidence, that can be worked on with training and exposure. Just make sure you don't over do it and givelotsof reassurance. Persevere with what you are doing. If need be, carry him out for comfort and reassurance.

I think you also have to encourage a lot, with very high value treats and lots of excitement. Can you take him out the front instead of the back if he's scared?

Don't react IE do you panic when the dogs bark next door? Your dog will sense it just chill give him rewards for doing well going outside. Have you tried to open the crate and let him walk out on his own don't crowd him. Be confident or he won't be. Make it fun there a strung bell you can buy for the door my dog used to ring his constantly to go out. If he remains anxious after 2nd jabs and some walking get to a training class build his confidence otherwise your going to have problems most likely with anxiety reaction.

Cheese and hotdogs to distract. Positivity all the way.