Becca has always has always been a little eccentric with her potty habits. Every since I got her she has refused to poop in her own yard except under extreme circumstances. We went to my mother's in northern Maine for Thanksgiving. While we were there Becca developed a fear of going outside in the dark. There are coyotes and a bobcat there. It got so she was so hyper alert she couldn't/wouldn't poop after dark. She would pace and circle, but not squat. (No problems during the day.) We would be outside for 20+minutes until she would go. I would have to have her on a leash and keep a flashlight on her.

The problem has followed us home. She will cue me she needs to go out. I take her out to one of her spots, and she goes into hyper alert mode. Ears up full mast, sniffing, pacing, wild eyes, no potty. I have been waiting her out and walking around until she goes, then having a big praise party when she does. I've been trying to watch my attitude and body language, but I know I'm showing my aggravation. She can go fine during the day so this is not a physical problem. Any suggestions on how to get her past this without losing my mind or freezing? We will be going back up north for the holidays as well.

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Most of my Corgis have preferred to poop on walks instead of in their yard. I always teach a "go potty" command by saying the phrase everytime they go. Eventually they understand when we are in a hurry and the back yard has to do. I just go out and say the command. It also is great when we are camping and the weather is bad. As far as the fear, it sounds as if you are doing the right thing by going out with her and praising her.

Becca has a go potty command, it works most of the time. This problem with the dark is crazy. She gives me a look, like 'I have to go but you are crazy if you think it is safe out here.' The neighbors probably think I'm crazy having praise parties when my dog poops.

I think you are doing the right thing.  It might take a while to retrain her.  Its only been a few days since Thanksgiving.  And it might come back next time you are up north.  Maybe if you could make a point to take her out prior to dark she could make it through the night without needing a potty break.  Then neither of you would have to worry about it.  :)

Today I altered our schedule a bit and fed her as soon as I got home. We walked right after and she managed to go while it was still light out. It is dark so early this time of year.

It is just getting light when we walk around the block in the morning. She is a little worried, but has no problem going then. It must be just light enough, or holding it all night has made it urgent.

I can only agree with the comments on here and follow example as well.

Wally has been doing his business on walks... always.    That's my fault as I wanted to get him used to his walks twice per day, which we continue.   When he wants to go he's at the end of the leash, on a mission and heading to 2-3 streets over or the local park about 5 min. walk from the home.    Only during heavy rain storms he has agreed to go in the back yard.

But he seems to want to go at the same location no more than 2-3 times and then moves on.    If I want to go in a different direction that does not take him to his last pooping spot, he lets me know by stopping dead in his walk and try to lead me to the right spot, which he's usually dead on.

I was told, or read on here that putting a and old wooded broom handle in the back yard and leaving one poop close by would become the new spot.    I'll try that myself in the corner of my property to see if his helps.

Oh and yes about the wolves in the state of Maine...  When I was 13 years of age we went to the Presque Isle Maine Airport early morning.   We arrived too early and needed to stay in the car for 3 hours until the airport opens.    I went for a walk along the airport fence around 4am and could hear the wolves howling from the woods across the tarmac.  

It was the scariest and most amazing thing I've heard in my life.    I was petrified they were smelling a little kid close by and would come charging across the tarmac, jump the 6 foot fence and devoure me, but I couldn't stop listening.   It was during the month of March so cold brish winter winds was part of it too with clear night.   

Mom's house is about 45 minutes south of Presque Isle. No wild wolves in Maine though, just coyotes. They are amazing to hear.

When was a teenager my border collie chased a coyote from the yard down across the potato fields. The whole pack chased her back. They would have caught her if she hadn't been so fast. It isn't unusual for them to be in Mom's yard. This last trip there was a pile of scat on the corner of her lot, both dogs circled it then peed on top of it.

Two days later and so far so good. She still isn't crazy about going out at night, but hasn't been as stressed. Last night she didn't go, but didn't ask either.

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