Hey Everyone – I’m really hoping for some advice or reassurance. We have a 4-month-old golden retriever who is absolutely terrified of going outside. We literally have to carry him out of the house just so he’ll go potty. Even with treats, he’s hesitant and often refuses to move.
Once he’s outside, any small noise sets him off — he’ll panic and sprint back to the door. He completely freezes on walks and won’t budge, no matter how patient or encouraging we try to be. I don’t want to pull him, but at 35 pounds already, it’s getting really tough to carry him every time.
His anxiety feels extreme, and I’m honestly starting to worry that this might be a lifelong issue or something that might require medication down the road. We’ve tried taking him to the beach (he was petrified the whole time) and to puppy social classes, but he just hides under our chairs the entire session.
We live in an apartment in Chicago — while the city can be noisy, our immediate neighborhood is actually pretty quiet. Still, he just seems overwhelmed by everything once we step outside.
Has anyone else dealt with this level of fear or anxiety in a young puppy? Did your dog grow out of it, or did anything specific help? I’d love to hear any advice, tips, or success stories. I just want to help him feel safe and confident outside.
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