Sudden issues with going outside to potty.

Ok...so Appa is 2 years old, very well potty trained and has just now started having issues with going out to potty. She's not using the bathroom in the house but is holding it and doesn't "ask" to go out anymore--she's kind of refusing to go out back by herself (this is totally new behavior). And when I make her, she just sits at the door with her ears back like she's scared and I'm afraid it's going to become a bad association or something. I'm really worried about her and can't figure out what's going on.

She's been kind of skittish since the 4th of July. We came home and found her all the way under the bed against the wall and she didn't want to come out (fireworks, we assume). I've sat outside with her most days this week when I've been home from work to see if she would go then and I keep hearing this really high pitched beeping noise that I think must be coming from my neighbors' but have no idea what it is. She seems to get freaked out at this noise every time it beeps (sounds like a smoke alarm that's battery is bad to me).

Any thoughts? Any similar experiences? :-/ I don't talk to those neighbors at all (don't even know their names) but should I ask them if there's something beeping in their house (which might come off as creepy neighbor)?

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Permalink Reply by Beth on August 13, 2014 at 10:16am

It is almost definitely the beeping; mine freak out when the smoke alarm goes off, and because of that association they also don't like quieter beeps, like the one our fridge makes if you hold the door open too long.

I would try to talk to the neighbor. To avoid being creepy, just be honest: "My dog has been nervous about going into the yard so I was sitting outside to see if I could figure out why. I noticed something beeping in your house and worried you might have a bad smoke alarm or something?"

If it's something they can't or won't do anything about, you can probably counter-condition her to tolerate the beep by giving her some treats or playing a fun game whenever you hear it.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on August 13, 2014 at 10:17am

By the way, do you ever SEE the neighbor? Is it possible they moved out or someone died or something and the house is empty? Seems strange they'd live with this beeping and not do anything about it.

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Permalink Reply by Appa and Iroh on August 13, 2014 at 11:02am

Thanks for the replies and advice!

I do see them, so I know they are around. By their "upkeep" of the outside....it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't bother to change the smoke alarm battery, to be honest :-/, but I don't know. If I see them out I'll try to ask them and if they think I'm weird well...they probably already do since they see me going outside late at night with Appa since she won't go by herself and probably wonder what I'm doing walking around the yard at night. lol.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on August 16, 2014 at 7:58am

It almost sounds like they may need a wellness check. Not sure if every town does it, but in my town the police will do a routine safety check. I have a disability and I have to get someone else to help change my smoke-alarm batteries. Perhaps the occupants cannot hear and/or reach the alarm. Also, hoarders cannot get to many things in their homes and are afraid to call people in to fix things because they risk losing their children, pets, or independence, but they often do need help. Just a thought.