Cant stop my dog from Pooing - HELP ME!!

[StoptheCavalry]

Hi

I have a pug x who is toilet trained and practically perfect in everyway. His little friend however who is 12months old this week will NOT stop going to the toilet in his crate. They are home during the day left for 2-3 hours in the morning and about 4 hours in the afternoon. I come home at lunch time for an hour to let them out and have a run around. They are crated over night separately and without fail the little one will have weed and poo'd in his bed. Some people have said get a smaller crate, he wont be able to move if its much smaller and he isnt bothered about going on his bedding any lying on it, which seems to go again anything any training information I have read. The tricky part is that he doesnt go to the toilet in the house if we are there, if were around the house they can not go out for 4-5 hours at a time and not go in the house, the problem seems to be if we leave him. If the dogs sleep in our room (very rare treat, but we go through so much dog bedding sometimes its the only option) he doesnt wake up or need to go to the toilet.

Is this an anxiety issue and how on earth do I make it stop??

 

[AmyMay]

Sounds like anxiety.

Do the dogs need to be crated, could they not share a doggy bed - which make the 12 month old less anxious?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Has he been told off/reprimanded for pooing in the house before?

You might also need to look at adjusting feeding times and access to water.

 

[stencilface]

You might also need to look at adjusting feeding times and access to water.

Would you restrict access to water? I sometimes feel like doing this so I don't have to mop up Lake windemere every so often, but he's quite a drinker so wouldn't like to restrict his access, I don't think....

 

[CorvusCorax]

I don't mean withold it all together, but not allow the dog to drink stupid amounts.
My crated dog gets enough to cover the bottom of his bowl overnight. He loves water, he'll just stand in it and lap it up for no reason because it is fun.

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Thanks for the responses

I have tried not crating them as initially I thought if they could cuddle eachother (yes they actually like to do this, will post a picture shortly) they would be OK, but after coming back to what I can only liken to a bomb site its not really an option, despite having a lot of toy and chews etc they insist on chewing the skirting boards and 1 laminate floor down the boards are starting to swell again where he keeps weeing, so containing everything in the crate to be honest is a little easier.

We have tried feeding him a different times and being really meticulous making sure he's been to the toilet before being left but it doesn't seem to make a difference, he will still go. They are left with a bowl of water in their cages so I could try leaving a smaller amount maybe?

He hasn't been told off for going in the house despite me occasionally wanting to wring his neck. We cant really tell him off as were not there so on one hand we cant really be that annoyed but it is getting a bit soul destroying having to clean up crap 3 times a day plus bathing to dog all the time.

I am literally at the point of tearing my hair out as nothing seems to work with him..... anyone want a cute little dog.....

 

[StoptheCavalry]

Has this worked.....

 

[StoptheCavalry]

 

[CAYLA]

This case does sound like anxiety.

Is the crate covered, as in one large cover over both crates so you create a tent over the crates and the can see one another, is there a radio on in the room?

What kind of bed does he have?

Does he spend any time in the crate when you are home or is crate time only when you are out or in bed?

 

[StoptheCavalry]

This case does sound like anxiety.

Is the crate covered, as in one large cover over both crates so you create a tent over the crates and the can see one another, is there a radio on in the room?

What kind of bed does he have?

Does he spend any time in the crate when you are home or is crate time only when you are out or in bed?

No the crate isnt covered although I will try that tonight, when i had covered the bigger ones crate the little bugger pulled it through the bars and ate it!

He has had all kinds of different beds - towels that smell of us, propper fleecy dog bed, a water proof one, a really thick cosy bed, he also has the bed he came with as a puppy as a comforter but no matter what it is he will poo on it!! He now has a constant rotation of beds being washed, we have also tried buying new beds incase it was a scent thing, even tried a new crate, didnt help either.

We did put them in the crate together which worked for a few days but he then started pooing in there and didnt think it was fair to the other dog to continue that.

He is locked in his crate at dinner time, but no he doesnt really spend anytime in there other than when we are out, he doesnt seem to mind going in there particularly and will curl up on his bed straight away before the door has been closed. Once when he was in big trouble he had just been out and then came straight back in and weed on the sofa, he didnt get told off but knew he had been bad so he took himself off to his bed. We're currently teaching them both not to jump on the sofas to try and keep a little distance between dog and human as this is one of the anxiety things weve read about, when were sat down on the sofas he will always want to sleep on top of one of us or as close as he possibly can resulting quite often in this....

 

[CAYLA]

It sounds more like an anxiety as in "when you leave"

You read correct re not allowing them to become to dependant on your company when you are "in" thus preparing them for when you leave.

I would cover with a "very thick blanket" not a sheet or anything flimsy, go to a charity shop and buy a full on thick huge blanket (should only cost a few quid) and drape it over both crates when you leave.

More important, on a night time when you are home (bring his crate int the living room) when you watch tv and instead of him draping all over you or having to be near you, encourage him or them to go into the crates to curl up (this way) when he is in the crate there is a positive association of you being present (place a kong in) for the first week each time he goes in ad close the door, then randomly open door (no fuss or talk) and repeat this over the night, each time he goes in throw a treat in as a positive association.
Remove all other beds from the room to encourage them to go and curl up in the crate.

On a night drag the crates back into the kitchen, or if easier buy a new crate esp for the sitting room (only has to be tiny) cover it over again like the kitchen ones but so he can see out this time and place a lovely comfy bed in.
You are trying to create/mimic the same routine when you are home to equal when you leave and in this period decrease physical attention and affection and up physical exercise/bond in a more stimulating manner. When you see results you can gradually increase affection once more ans remove the crate in the living area for 1 comfy bed for them to retreat to.

For the kitchen crate try placing a plastic bed in the crate with his bed in the plastic bed (try getting some vet bed and cutting to the shape of the plastic bed) and try not to pile loads of beds in that one (atleast until) he is seen to be clean. Just a sheet of vet bed cut into a circle so its a perfect fit to the plastic bed.
Radio always on (low at night) if need be but a descent level during the day.

If you can, place a tape recorder in the room when you leave them, see if he is at all vocal or you can hear him pacing in the crate.

 

[CorvusCorax]

You could try changing the cues a bit, move the crate, change the crate, use a plastic one for example (VariKennel etc) just leave a blanket or fleece down, make everything new so he loses the association.

As Cayla, mine is popped in and out of his crate all the time so it is seen as a den or a time-out place.

 

[StoptheCavalry]

You could try changing the cues a bit, move the crate, change the crate, use a plastic one for example (VariKennel etc) just leave a blanket or fleece down, make everything new so he loses the association.

As Cayla, mine is popped in and out of his crate all the time so it is seen as a den or a time-out place.

Have tried all of the above, cages have been in different rooms different parts of the room, different beds etc etc. The dogs actually have thier own room at our current house but we are moving next week so they will be in the kitchen, Im sure you can imagine the constant odour of poo is less than pleasant. I will definitely try the radio and getting him in and out of his crate more and see if that settles him, just so difficult as its only when we leave.

 

[CAYLA]

Have tried all of the above, cages have been in different rooms different parts of the room, different beds etc etc. The dogs actually have thier own room at our current house but we are moving next week so they will be in the kitchen, Im sure you can imagine the constant odour of poo is less than pleasant. I will definitely try the radio and getting him in and out of his crate more and see if that settles him, just so difficult as its only when we leave.

And thats exactly why you need to mimic the same routine when you are home as when you leave even if it me and crating him in the kitchen and walking in and out and sitting having a meal/cooking etc whilst he is crated and pre occupied with a good/kong.

 

[StoptheCavalry]

And thats exactly why you need to mimic the same routine when you are home as when you leave even if it me and crating him in the kitchen and walking in and out and sitting having a meal/cooking etc whilst he is crated and pre occupied with a good/kong.

Will try this tonight. Should I just ignore him if he makes a fuss and should the other dog be locked away too? His favourite is to jump against the from of the cage so it moves accross the floor, shouldnt be funny but kind of is!!

 

[CAYLA]

Start like this, come home no fuss, talk or recognition "what dogs" open crates and then walk to the back door and lets them out, dont even look at them when they come in.
Take them out for a long walk and then come home and place him back in his crate with a kong and his little pal next door, then makes tea and ignore them and walk in and out the room as neccessary, then eat tea (in kitche if you can at table) all the while ignoring the dogs apart from dropping the odd treat into the crates.

Feed them their tea in there too.

Then bring crate into living room and simply leave the door open with a comfier bed inside crate to encourage them to retreat to it whilst you and Oh sit on settee (if they attempt to jump up) block access, no talk, just simply block, if they get on then simple push them off, they will only repeat so many times until they realise (oh well clearly I aint getting on there) and will hopefully retreat to crate.
If and when they do decide to take them selves in there, randomly close the door and place make it so as its covered they can only just say see out.
Remember no ott affection or attention at this time (during this new rotuine) instead more exercise.

Take them for late walk and then place crates back in kitchen and settle them for bed (earlier then usual) and let them hear you pottering around.
Cover them with huge thick heavy blanket and leave radio on.

Repeat this every night for the nest few weeks and rid of the comfy bed in kitchen crate (for the serial pooper) order some sheets of vet bed and cut to size and def get a plastic bed for inside crate.

 

[stencilface]

Thankyou for posting this! Reading the replies has been really helpful for me too

I am trying to stop mine pooing, can't really crate as only room big enough gets too hot on a sunny day, and some days, like today - he was left for 5 hours with no accidents (apart from a wee, but thats a different story, my house now smells like a toilet so he treats it like one, am carpet cleaning at the weekend!)

I am making sure I ignore him when I leave/come in, and no longer let him come on the sofa as much. I try not to be annoyed when I get in and he's pooed again, I ignore him and tidy it up, but I probably do give off an air of resignation/pissed off ness

 

[StoptheCavalry]

I'm on operation stop poo! Dog is lying on his bed in crate in living room, so far so good! Came home to a poo and not only that but he had been lying in it so another bath for him! Trouble is he is fine when I'm here, I can walk away and he won't need to follow etc, but as soon as he knows I'm out the house he poos!

Stencilface - I completely know what you mean, I really try not to get angry but its really difficult because I am angry, not necessarily with him but at the whole situation, I'm sick of washing everything all the time!!

 

[stencilface]

God, I was spitting yesterday when he'd managed to get upstairs (have stair gate, but must have not shut it fully) and do a huge sloppy one in front of my wardrobe I had been out for 1.5 hours and I walked him before I left!!

 

[CAYLA]

I'm on operation stop poo! Dog is lying on his bed in crate in living room, so far so good! Came home to a poo and not only that but he had been lying in it so another bath for him! Trouble is he is fine when I'm here, I can walk away and he won't need to follow etc, but as soon as he knows I'm out the house he poos!

Stencilface - I completely know what you mean, I really try not to get angry but its really difficult because I am angry, not necessarily with him but at the whole situation, I'm sick of washing everything all the time!!

By doing this we shall try and get him set into a routine whereby he is in there when you are home and has to second guess if you are actually home or not. After a week of allowing him in there when u are watching tv of his own accord begin to close the door and cover it whilst you are sitting watching tv and going from room to room. When there is silence release him, he may walk out turn around and go back in, he may walk out and chose to lie at your feet, after one hour of lying where he pleases place him back in the crate and once again close the door and cover do an hour release and an hour back in all night every night for the next few weeks till bed time, with toilet breaks in between but no ott fuss or attention giving, this way you are very gradually getting him accustomed to being in there whilst you are home and feel comfortable enough that when you go he really cannot work out whether you are there or not especially when covered and radio on to the point he cannot hear you leave and re enter.
In the beginning ti may feel like the/he is spending alot of time in the crate but this will be decreased as you see him settle and accept lone time and you dissapearing.

 

[CAYLA]

God, I was spitting yesterday when he'd managed to get upstairs (have stair gate, but must have not shut it fully) and do a huge sloppy one in front of my wardrobe I had been out for 1.5 hours and I walked him before I left!!

Is he only passing faeces when left? where is you initial post/details of his behaviour/ancxiety/passing pooper

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