Chip is Afraid

[Chip's Mom]

Last night I could not get Chip to go outdoors to go potty. He would go outside and come right back in or stand on the deck and look at me. I carried him off the deck and he ran back in the house. I tried bribing him, putting his leash on him and walking him in the yard - he refused to budge and I will not force him. I started playing with Maybelle while he stood on the deck and watched. I fed Maybelle treats 15 ft from the deck and he stood and watched. He had a unhappy look on his face. This morning was the same thing. He did his business in the house. I can take him on his leash out of the yard and into the driveway and he will potty. We went on the boat today and he was fine. When we made stops for him to do his business, he did. I haven't got a clue as to what is going on - the only thing I can think of is that he is that something scared him outside but what I don't know. Has anyone had this problem or any suggestions on how I can help him.

[corgimom]

Do you live in the country where skunks, deer or possums roam where he could have possibly saw a wild animal in your back yard. Maybe he senses those kittens that you now have. Do you usually go out potty with him on a leash or do you tie him up and let him go out on a leash by himself?

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

None of my Corgis ever wanted to poop in the outside of their property from the age of four months. This has suited me fine because anyone including kids, can play and muck around on the lawns and in the gardens without worry about treading on any stinkies. So if I put my Corgi outside within the boundary of our property, he wouldn't poop - but he might be willing to wee against a tree way down the back of our property - don't worry it is a giant Californian Macrocarpa tree and weeing on it is harmless.

All this might be relative to what Chip is doing or not doing. Maybe he doesn't want to toilet in his back yard either. So It's down to doing what I do. I take Taylor for purpose-created toilet walks - especially late at night and earlyish in the morning.

It is unlike Corgis to be abjectly frighten of animals - they are usually curious of most and maybe a little wary of some. I'm not talking about roaring lions. Taylor has met with an elephant who swung her trunk menacingly( but not really) and gave a trumpet - and off-lead Taylor just went up closer to the big girl.

[Chip's Mom]

I live in the country but I have never seen any animals in my yard other than rabbits or an occasional cat. Chip has free roam of our yard and him and Maybelle will play the whole area but mostly around the house. I can at all times see my whole yard so it isn't like he roams in the woods, etc. He has always been leary of the dark so at night, he goes maybe 20 ft off the deck and pees by my rose bush. He is more than willing to walk the driveway area and I am doing that with him. The kittens are in the garage so he has to walk right by there in the driveway. I left the front door open this morning and sat on the front porch but he won't go off the porch either. It is very strange. I can understand if he doesn't want to take care of business in the yard but not to want to run and play outside with Maybelle is totally out of character for Chip. He will run and play in the house with her though. I can't figure it out.

[Chip's Mom]

I live in the country but I have never seen any animals in my yard other than rabbits or an occasional cat. Chip has free roam of our yard and him and Maybelle will play the whole area but mostly around the house. I can at all times see my whole yard so it isn't like he roams in the woods, etc. He has always been leary of the dark so at night, he goes maybe 20 ft off the deck and pees by my rose bush. He is more than willing to walk the driveway area and I am doing that with him. The kittens are in the garage so he has to walk right by there in the driveway. I left the front door open this morning and sat on the front porch but he won't go off the porch either. It is very strange. I can understand if he doesn't want to take care of business in the yard but not to want to run and play outside with Maybelle is totally out of character for Chip. He will run and play in the house with her though. I can't figure it out.

[Jane Austen]

I mentioned in a previous thread that Duchess has been reluctant in going some places because she has seen flies there that have bothered her. Do you think some bug may have bitten Chip or scared him?

[corgimom]

I think the fact that Chip has been going potty in the backyard all this time and all of a sudden has does not want to go out there has nothing to do with his changing his mind about pottying in the back yard - I think something scared him and as to what it is, I do not know. Just my opinion.

I guess if taking Chip to a new potty place as Michael suggested will
work fine for you, than I would do that. Otherwise, maybe showing Chip
an enticing morsel of food to get him off the deck and into the back yard
will be enough to get him back in his old routine of going potty and letting
him know "that good things happen here"


Linda

[glencorgi]

Is this the week they're having the hot air balloons in Kingsport? Have any of them been flying over?

From: <http://www.doberman.org/articles/puppy.htm>
Second Fear Imprint Period (6 - 14 Months) The Second Fear Imprint Period is similar to the one that occurred during the socialization period, but, it is much less defined. It occurs as dogs enter adolescence and seems more common in males. It is often referred to as adolescent shyness. Your dog may suddenly become reluctant to approach something new or suddenly become afraid of something familiar. This behavior can be very frustrating to the owner and difficult to understand because its onset is so sudden and, seemingly, unprovoked. If you notice this behavior, it is important to avoid the two extremes in response: Don't force him to do or approach something frightening to him and don't coddle or baby him. To get through situations that make your dog fearful, be patient, kind, and understanding. Desensitize him to the object or situation by gradually introducing him to it and using food rewards and praise to entice him to confront the fearful object or situation. Do not coddle or reassure him in any way that will encourage his fearful behavior. Do not correct him either. Simply make light of it and encourage him give him food rewards as he begins to deal with his fear better. Make sure you lavishly praise his attempts! This phase will pass.

Have you added anything new to the backyard? A new picnic table or lawn chairs for example? Are the garbage cans where they usually are/supposed to be? Lawnmower hasn't been left out has it? Sometimes just any little seemingly insignificant change can trigger such a behavioral change. No bugs hatching out are they - like June bug season?

Interesting mystery to solve. Be patient and good luck!

Debbie

[corgimom]

Deb,

after I read your comments, it does make sense in what you talked about. In his younger months, Cody seemed to care less about what was around him when we went for our walks. The other day, it was garbage night and he seemed frightened of an old golf bag that someone had left at the end of their driveway. Also ,someone put a tarp over some dirt in their yard and the tarp was flapping just a bit due to the wind and that scared him and he was afraid to walk by it- so yes, it can be absolutely anything . So as we walked I just told him it was Okay in an upbeat voice, encouraged him to walk with me while offering him a treat. So while they may overcome their fear to one thing, a new object may pop up that they are afraid of. The other day in puppy class the trainer had this life size plastic dog head where she put on different leads, etc to show people the correct way to put them on - he was not too thrilled with the sight of the dog head sitting up on the table - seemed a bit frightened of it as did another dog in class until she brought it down and let him sniff at it. After a few sniffs and a couple of barks, he was okay.

I guess it is sort of like the stage they talk about when babies around 6 months of age become more aware of their surroundings and will become fearful of things. We have had a couple of hot air balloon overhead and so far, that has been okay.

Linda

[Chip's Mom]

Thank you all so much. I had thought of the fear factor and I was going to research it tonight but thanks to you all, I don't have to. I am not sure the mystery is solved but this morning, I had leftover prime rib in the refrigerator and I cut it into tiny pieces and gave Chip a piece before I opened the door, on the deck and then I gave Maybelle a piece (poor Maybelle and she didn't even know I was using her as an enticement for Chip) but it worked. He kept following me about 1/2 way down the yard eating prime rib all the way. I was so tickled. We went on the boat for the day and tonight he came home and romped around the yard as if he never had a fear. The only thing I can think of is the wind had blown down a small tree in the back yard and it scared him. As long as he is back to normal, I am happy. Nothing worse then corgi eyes pleading with you to let him pee on the floor. LOL I am soooo glad I don't have to buy him prime rib so he will go outside. I would have to take a second job.

[corgimom]

Chips mom,

Glad it is solved - food works wonders doesn't it? even for me at times.

linda

[Jeni D]

Glad Chip's problem seem to be solved It's so hard to figure these crazy corgis out!

Jeni

[Fluffypants]

Glad all is well! It is strange what they react to sometimes. Just part of the fun of living with a corgi!

ps - the prime rib would have worked on me too - Chip is a smart boy!!