what to do with a dog frozen with fear

We have long cared for rescue dogs. In your specific case, you might wrap a towel around yourself (he may pee on you) and just carry him outside. From you description, i suspect he was abused as well as being neglected. He has a lot of bad things to forget, and he has to learn to trust you. That can take literally years. We had a little girl dog once who absolutely hated big dogs. She would go for any big dog she saw. It was partly a legacy of the abuse and neglect she suffered when she was small (she lived in a house with two big dogs who had the run of the place while she was confined to the basement); it was also partly fear of other dogs. It took a few years to get her calmed down. Eventually, we came to a bargain of sorts, the terms of which were that she wouldn't attempt to attack other dogs and i would protect her. In any situation in which she became fearful, she would hide behind my legs.

You may have to spend months carrying this dog outside to do his business, but if you really want to make the effort, i think it will be worth your while. He was abused for a long time. He'll have to be reassured for a long time to get over that.

Hi tobyscarer.

It's hard to work with a dog who's had a rough start but it's definitely worth the effort.

As Setanta has suggested, you can try lifting him wrapped in a towel to take him outside. Make sure you've got either pee pads or newspaper near where he sleeps, so he can go there if he was ever paper trained.

Do give him some time though before you try to move him - he may decide on his own that he's ready to go out. Try and stay near him so you can watch him for clues.

Has he eaten yet or had anything to drink? try to set up a routine for both of you where he feeds/eats and is taken outside not too long thereafter.

Does your little guy have a crate he can go to if he is stressed? or maybe something he can get underneath - like he's in a cave? that may help him get comfortable.

When I adopted the dog Set talks about in his post, I went through a dozen or so sweaters the first week I had her as she was so dirty and stinky - but still liked being held. I'd pick her up, give her a snuggle, take her out - bring her in and throw whatever I'd been wearing in the wash. Due to her stress, I couldn't clean her right away. She also did submission urination so I couldn't come directly into the house for close to half a year - she always peed when she first saw me when I came home. We set up a routine where I opened the door, set my feet apart, she came out and peed on the porch between my feet and then we went inside.