However, if you have an adult dog who's started pooping where they shouldn't, there could be a range of reasons. The first potential cause you'll want to rule out is a medical problem; from digestive troubles to hip dysplasia, maladies can cause dogs to lose the will or capacity to control their bowels.
Dogs choose their spot as a means to communicate with other dogs. One thing they're communicating is marking territory. Their poop tells other dogs not only that they were there, but what they ate, if they're a friend or enemy, and even if a female is in heat.
If your dog keeps pooping in the house, they may have a health issue, or something might have changed in their routine, diet, or home environment that's causing the accidents. The first step is to rule out a medical reason, which involves making an appointment to see your veterinarian.
One of the easiest ways to train a dog to go only in one spot is to train it to go on command. Take your dog on a leash to the spot you want it to use, and say the cue word. Keep the dog in that spot until it goes, then offer a reward. Only reward the dog when it goes in that particular spot.
A puppy will typically be ready to train when they are between 12 to 16 weeks old. At this point, they have enough bladder control to be trained on when to go out.
You should not punish a dog for pooping in the house, aside from a firm “no” if you actually catch your dog in the act. Dogs can't understand the concept of punishment in the same way that humans do. Yelling, hitting, or physically punishing a dog can cause fear, anxiety, and even aggression.
Dominance. Dogs in multi-dog households may assert dominance by consuming the feces of another dog and replacing it with their own. This is similar, but perhaps more "extreme" to marking over top of another dog's urine and defecating on top of another dog's feces.
In fact, not only is it likely to make them naughtier, it can even lead to even stress and depression. Research conducted by the University of Porto demonstrated that shouting at your dog and using 'punishment-based training' could make them depressed in the long-term.
It's About Communication and Territory
You know the drill…the sniffing, the circling, and finally, it happens. This process of determining where to poop has much to do with your dog's instinct to tell other dogs who and where they are. They leave their scent by way of scent glands located in the inside of the rectum.
Something that is generally very effective is vinegar – dogs seem to hate the pungent, acrid smell of vinegar, and its application in a few strategic locations may do the job. Another popular – although sometimes controversial – option is cayenne pepper or strong chili powder.
With that in mind, he advises that in general “defecating one to two times daily is considered normal.” He also notes that if your dog is eating a diet that is higher in fiber, they may regularly poop three times a day.
Many pups will have an accident in their crate when they can not hold it any longer but what about the dog that actually goes to the bathroom in the crate even when they can hold it for a longer period of time? That dog is not offended by peeing or pooping in its area. That is called Dirty Dog Syndrome!
Dogs love to pee and poop. It's a natural behavior that they use to mark their territory and communicate with other dogs. Although you can spend a significant amount of time teaching your dog to take care of business outside, that doesn't necessarily mean that he understands not to poop inside.
Habit. Over time, your dog will get used to going to that specific spot every time he needs to poop. As your dog begins to walk himself to your designated pooping spot you may begin to let him go off his leash.
As long as they don't show signs of anxiety, it's perfectly fine to redirect your dog to another room when you need to use the facilities. But if you don't mind having an audience, there's no harm in letting your dog follow you into the bathroom. After all, you watch them poop all the time!
There is no need to stop your dog from kicking their feet after pooping or peeing unless they kick up a lot of dirt or grass or does it with such vigor that they are hurting their nails or paw pads.
Most healthy, adult dogs will readily go to the bathroom an hour or so after a meal. They can, however, hold their stool much longer if necessary. In fact, for the most part, a healthy adult dog can hold their stool for 12 hours or more. If you get stuck in traffic or at the office, your dog could be OK.
Some of the most common reasons doggos poop or pee inside after walking include medical issues, substrate preferences, and poor potty-training at the outset. Go easy on your dog. House-trained dogs commonly have accidents due to stress, a change in environment, or illness.
The best thing to do is to follow this general rule: At least 30 minutes after a small snack. 1 hour after a small meal. 2 to 3 hours after a medium/large meal.
These include sniffing around, fidgeting, and beginning to circle before squatting. A whining or pacing dog may also be indicating that it needs to go to the toilet, as well as a dog that has been chewing on something for a while and suddenly moves to do something else.
Both male and female dogs scent mark, but the behavior is more pervasive in males. Dogs who are marking preferentially urinate on vertical surfaces. If they urinate high up on that surface, the urine can flow downward covering a greater area, which leaves a stronger message to anyone who subsequently passes by.
Use the 'last call' system before bed
Before going to bed at night, give your puppy a “last call” and allow them one last chance to use the toilet before you go to sleep. After your puppy has done their business and begins to calm down, place them where they sleep, either in their crate or in their bed.