Akita Sudden Behavior Change

Question
That is exactly what I think.  I have tried the lease with her and she seems good in the front of the yard but something must of freaked her in the back.  It seems like during the day she is getting better about going the back but at night that is when her tail goes between her legs and hides by the deck.  

This all began about the the time our neighbors starting shooting off bottle rockets for fireworks and I wonder if either that scared her or even was hit by one.  I do not keep my dogs ourside for an extended period of time unless the one of the family memebers is outside with them.  She is the middle dog of three and she is the only one showing signs of nervousness.

Thnak you so much for yout timely response.  What a great website!
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Followup To

Question -
My 9 year old Akita suddenly does not want to go outside.  We just moved into this house which sits on an acre of land.  In the beginning she loved it and sat under the weeping willowtree for long periods. The last several days she no longer wants to go outside and hides either upstairs or down and when we do get her to go out, she shivers, pants very hard and will not go to the bathroom.  She had yet to go in the so she must be holding it.  I need help!

Answer -
Hi Linda,  How long was it before that she was going outside on her own, a week, two etc?  It sounds like something really traumatized her out there.  I would start taking her out on an extend-a-leash so that you are attached to her and she can feel secure about being out there again.  Walk with her and reassure her that everything is going to be ok.  This may take some time as you don't want to force anything on her except getting her out the door, so be real patient.  Just go with her and talk to her.  Once she goes to the bathroom, give her a treat and praise her.  Eventually by going slow, you should be able to get her to go outside on her own again, but it could take some time.  Depending on what traumatized her.  Hope this helps,

Dawn

Answer
Hi, yep thats what happened, the bottle rockets will do it, especially with an older dog.  Their senses react a lot more differently than a younger dog because they are starting to become more aware that their bodies can not react as fast to danger so they are more cautious about things around them.  Glad you figured it out.  If you need more help, just let me know.

Dawn