potty trained dog going in off limit areas

Question
We have a 10 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback male who was neutered 2
months ago. We trained him to go potty outside in a large area of bark that
surrounds the grassy, smaller area. The two areas are much like a smaller
circle of grass in a larger circle of bark and trees. He did not have any
problems learning this before he was neutered or doing it after. Recently he
broke his toe and has been in a cast for a short period of time and has also
been on "house rest" for almost 1.5 months. He is used to running everyday.
Very recently he has started to go in the grass. He does it when we stand
right there and watch him NOT go in the designated spot he's supposed to
go. I tell him no mid squat, pul him by the collar to where he is supposed to
go, and praise him when he goes in the bark. He is not left alone for very
long periods of time, and we let him out to roam the yard for hours as well as
go pee. he does not go in the house, and wines to go out as he always has.
He just doesn't go to the bark anymore. What am I doing wrong?

Answer
I don't see an obvious reason for it or how to deal with it.  You may need to have a private trainer or behaviorist come and see what is happening.

You could try better leadership.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm