New odd Outdoor Behaviour

[Ronnie P]

I have a 7 year old female German Shepherd, generally a great, loving dog. We also have a 16 year old mixed breed. We live next door to a park and its full of interesting wildlife, but we have had no issues with the dogs. The back yard is fenced and the dogs have to pass over a wooden deck and a stone patio to get to the yard to do their business. About a year ago the German Shepherd started occasionally refusing to leave the deck. If we did not escort her to the grass she would do her business right there on the deck or patio. It was only occasionally so we just figured something spooked her and after a day or so things would go back to normal. We had moles and I was pretty sure that at some point she was doing her thing and the ground moved beneath her and well that would scare me too, so I did not worry. Now here recently it has gotten significantly worse. There is a stone walkway around the perimeter of the yard inside the fence and that is where she goes, we have to escort her off the patio every time she goes out and at times she refuses to go out at all. As soon as we get out the door, the ears go back and she is clearly uncomfortable. Tonight I could not get her toes on the grass no matter what I did. The grass is wet from rain, but that has never been an issue before and this happens weather its wet or dry or snow. The mixed breed dog has been the princess her entire life and is about 1 third the size of the Shepherd and she is fine. I have absolutely no idea what to do. Anyone have any ideas?

[Nettle]

She needs a full vet check first of all in case she has any pain or mobility issues, or hearing/eyesight might be a factor too. While there, get a full blood panel check too. Think back to any scares she may have had while transitioning from patio to ground level - but it is far more likely to be an undetected health problem.