Hello all! This is my first post on any forum anywhere. I am needing help with my 14 yr old cockerpoo Doodle. This past week she has been peeing in the house. This is Very unusual. (Maybe 3 or 4 accidents in her adult life) She is also refusing (scared?) to go outside. This is also very unusual as she lives to patrol the yard. lol We have new neighbors that moved in about the time the problems started and I am wondering if something happened to scare her. Her pee place is next to their yard. (we have a chain link fence) Is there a way to train her to pee on the other side of the yard. My husband thinks we should just get pee pads, but I'm thinking that will just encourage her to pee in the house. Please help with any ideas. I love her dearly, and I hate that this is happening, she has always been such a good dog. Thanks!
Please help - dog afraid to go outside
- Thread starter Doodlesmom
- Start date
Welcome! It is possible that something with the new neighbors did in fact spook her since its onset seems to coincide with them moving in. But she could have gotten stung the last time she was out or any number of things. If your weather has been really hot & humid perhaps she doesn't want to be out in it. Unfortunately we can't get into their minds to find out what the actual reason is. Other than pottying in the house does she seem to be acting normal in all other aspects? Perhaps a vet check is in order to rule out any potential medical problems as many times this is also a sign of an UTI.
One thing you can try to get her to go to the other side is maybe take her out on lead to that portion of the yard and have a fun play session and/or possibly give her some of her most favorite treats to associate good things with that part of the yard. It will probably take a few sessions for her to feel comfortable and for her to forget whatever made her feel uneasy.
I hope your furgal is OK & begins to enjoy her yard again. Another thing I thought of is possibly taking her for a walk in your neighborhood & hopefully get to meet your new neighbors so she gets used to them if it is them making her uneasy plus this way you can get a good "read" on them to see if there is something you need to watch for.
One thing you can try to get her to go to the other side is maybe take her out on lead to that portion of the yard and have a fun play session and/or possibly give her some of her most favorite treats to associate good things with that part of the yard. It will probably take a few sessions for her to feel comfortable and for her to forget whatever made her feel uneasy.
I hope your furgal is OK & begins to enjoy her yard again. Another thing I thought of is possibly taking her for a walk in your neighborhood & hopefully get to meet your new neighbors so she gets used to them if it is them making her uneasy plus this way you can get a good "read" on them to see if there is something you need to watch for.
Thanks so much for your reply Poodlesmom. She is very active and playful in the house. She went for shots/annual check up at the end of June, and was given a clean bill of health. Of course the problem hadn't started at that time so it might be good to get that (UTI) checked out. I do have a grooming appt. set up for Friday, so I can check her out and make sure she doesn't have any ouchies. It's just sad & frustrating to have a little butt-kicking, independent dog one day, and then a scared dog the next. Thanks for your suggestions. I will try them out!