[ems092887]

Hello, I have an border collie mix, he is about 8 months old. I have had him for about 5 months now and he has been exceptional at potty training. He has always gone in the backyard, and has never had any trouble with peeing in the house. Ever since about a month ago, he has been afraid to go outside, but he would still do his thing outside when I made him go out there. Now, he has been asking to go outside and when the door is opened and he is made to go out, he doesn't go to the bathroom. I will then let him back in and as soon as i shut the door he proceeds to go into the house. This has been happening for the past week. I have cleaned up the backyard so there is no poop back there, I have stood out there with him for 15+ minutes, waiting for him to go to the bathroom, when he used to go very quickly. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should go about correcting this problem? I would really like it if I could get him to go to the bathroom in the backyard again.
Thanks

[Curbside Prophet]

Have you put "go potty" on cue? Do you at any point act frustrated, or even feel frustrated, when he doesn't go? Have you punished him in any way for not going? Do you punish him for eliminating in the house? If so, how? Has anything been added or subtracted from your backyard in the past month? Do you have any new neighbors? Do you live by an airport? Has your dog ever been left unattended in the backyard? Who else is responsible for the dog? And how would you classify their dog savvy? If he eliminates successfully, what do you do? Does he go on daily walks? If so, does he eliminate on his walks? Is he neutered? Has he been to the vet recently? Does he have a clean bill of health? 8 months is about when the second fear period set in...how have you been with your dog's socialization and exposure to novelty? Have I gotten to twenty questions yet?

I ask a lot of questions because I don't like to guess. Sorry.