Cecil has a little issue

[poiuytrewq]

I’m really not sure what to do about this. He’s never been 110% reliably house trained and for some reason we went through a bad spell a while ago, that’s now over.
Evenings have been the time that he might sneak off and I’ll find a puddle somewhere, I always accept that’s my fault. It’s a long way between the Tv and back door so I need to watch him still. That’s pretty much sorted, the odd slip up, I went out yesterday evening and he wee’d but no one had let him out.
The bit I’m struggling with is that he started poo’ing overnight. Now he’s never done this. He’s been both clean and dry overnight since a puppy. He’s now approaching 2 this summer.
He loves his sleep and appears go to bed and stay there until I rudely appear the next morning.
The poo is now a pretty standard feature in my morning however.
It’s not the very end of the world. It’s s tiled floor and there’s a loo right by their room so I literally flush it straight away.
He is let out at about 10.30 before I go to bed.
He’s fed at 7pm. I get him up at 6.30 and take them out on the yard before breakfast.
Any ideas?
I had thought about a crate, he’s not used to being in one as such but did have one take him to work as a puppy so I still have it and Basil sleeps in one, Cecil is often found curled up in his so I don’t think it would be stressful for him to be in one. I do worry that it might be a big mean as I know he needs to poo at some point in the night to only give the option to hold it, if he can or poo in his bed, something I definitely don’t want to start.
I had blamed some different food as it made the lab poo overnight (unheard of) but I swapped back for a few days and nothing changed.
Ideas?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Eliminate stress as a cause, sneaky soiling is often down to that.
Feed earlier or take him out later.
Is he pooing at 10.30pm/are you making sure of it or are you just letting him out and leaving him to it?
Mine usually need a good leg stretch/move around before they do a poo, to be honest, even if they have been in kennels or a crate overnight. And they don't go to bed until they have done one, even if that means I am out for half an hour marching up and down the lane.

Has he been told off in the past for soiling in the house?
Ideally a dog comes to you and tells you they need out rather than do it secretly/silently.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

if he was pooping overnight on his original food that you’ve now swapped him back to could it be that?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Eliminate stress as a cause, sneaky soiling is often down to that.
Feed earlier or take him out later.
Is he pooing at 10.30pm/are you making sure of it or are you just letting him out and leaving him to it?
Mine usually need a good leg stretch/move around before they do a poo, to be honest, even if they have been in kennels or a crate overnight. And they don't go to bed until they have done one, even if that means I am out for half an hour marching up and down the lane.

Has he been told off in the past for soiling in the house?
Ideally a dog comes to you and tells you they need out rather than do it secretly/silently.

To be honest I just let them out the last time. So no I’m not sure he go’s. Maybe it’s time to start adding a proper outing onto the yard rather than in the garden.
I don’t even think I’d class it as sneaky soiling because we are in bed, he does it by the back door.
No I don’t tell him off. I literally pick it up and get rid without a word. He never got told off as a pup either.

 

[poiuytrewq]

if he was pooping overnight on his original food that you’ve now swapped him back to could it be that?

I switched him back for a while and it made no difference so he’s gone back to the other stuff to use it up but I won’t buy it again.
He’s poo’s are bigger on it I think. Maybe I’ll
Just throw the whole lot away to be sure.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I switched him back for a while and it made no difference so he’s gone back to the other stuff to use it up but I won’t buy it again.
He’s poo’s are bigger on it I think. Maybe I’ll
Just throw the whole lot away to be sure.

Is there possibly something in both foods upsetting his tummy? It’s strange tho if he’s not done it before

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Usually a dog soiling in the house is the fault of the human. So we have to look at what we're doing. You should supervise his last outing before bedtime. If you can get him to move around a bit (walk on the leash, throw a ball a few times) that may help.

My 4 month old has pooped in the house once when we first got her and she had diarrhea, and I can count her wee accidents on one hand. I decided to train her with a bell. She rings the bell at the backdoor to go outside. I can hear it from almost anywhere in the house. I've rewarded her since day one for going wee or poo outside. I was also borderline obsessively attentive to her in order to set her up for success and no accidents in the house. I really find it just comes down to attentiveness and consistency. She's slept through the night (from 10pm to 5am) for awhile now too. She knows how to signal when she has to go, and I think that helps too.

I would really make sure he goes before bed. That's the simplest solution, really. Make sure to reward when he goes and show him that's what we do at this time and what we want. Mine also have a solid command for wee and the poo command is somewhat consistent. So that's an option as well.

 

[Sandstone1]

It will take more than a few days on a food to get them settled. really needs a good cpouple of weeks and a slow change over from one feed to another to avoid tummy upsets.
If he always poos by the door he is doing his best to go outside.
He obviously needs to poo if ifs every night so he really needs a walk last thing to make sure he goes.
Maybe feed a hour earlier than take out for a proper walk before bed. The food may not suit him either.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ok, so im going to throw away the food and do a Pets at home trip in the morning to see what they stock.
I will feed them all earlier, will also don my wellies and go for a quick walk before bed with them.
I love the bell idea, how do you teach that particular bit, although as I say he’s good during the day.
When I say it’s by the back door they are shut in the boot room at night so there’s not a lot of option I guess
It’s just weird, I was so smug about never having a night accident at first then come 18 months or whatever this happens.
I’m not going to drag the crate out just yet, I don’t want him in one really.
I’ll have a look at what pets at home stock to get an idea before I go!
Thanks

 

[Clodagh]

As he’s only small I’d bite the bullet and get really expensive, low filler food. The poo difference is staggering.
Ffee often poos in the house if I’ve got her food wrong, I chop and change around in the summer. She is also weird about going outside if anyone is looking, entirely my fault as I told Scout to leave her alone a few times when he wanted to go and look under her tail as she’s squatting, and she took it personally.

 

[Sandstone1]

Whatever food you put him on do a slow change over... I do not use the bells but to teach him to use them I would encourage him to touch them and once he does reward and let out straight away. Reward when outside though or he will think hes getting a reward for touching only. He needs to get the idea that touching the bells means the door opens. This means YOU need to be aware of when he touches them and let out straight away. If you can not be sure of letting him out put the bells away as if he does his bit and you dont you are letting him down.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Oh that's another thing, I know not feasible for everyone but mine go out one at a time so they are thinking about toileting and not anything else. One of them in particular is very scatty and gets excited by something, add 10 minutes to pooping time **rollseyes**
Two of mine have a different command to the other one, who came to me later in life and I do get them mixed up, believe it or not, it matters

 

[poiuytrewq]

As he’s only small I’d bite the bullet and get really expensive, low filler food. The poo difference is staggering.
Ffee often poos in the house if I’ve got her food wrong, I chop and change around in the summer. She is also weird about going outside if anyone is looking, entirely my fault as I told Scout to leave her alone a few times when he wants to go and look under her tail as she’s squatting, and she took it personally.

I’d not believe it had I not seen the labs poo production on the wrong food! I’m hoping it’s something as simple as that.
This morning present is pretty big, had we a middle size dog I’d be blaming that!
What do you use?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh that's another thing, I know not feasible for everyone but mine go out one at a time so they are thinking about toileting and not anything else. One of them in particular is very scatty and gets excited by something, add 10 minutes to pooping time **rollseyes**
Two of mine have a different command to the other one, who came to me later in life and I do get them mixed up, believe it or not, it matters

That made me laugh!

 

[Teaselmeg]

Is there any chance he is not happy/ anxious at night ? I would also make sure he is not cold, as they can wake up if cold and then toilet.

You could have him with you at night for a few weeks, to see if he is more settled.

 

[Clodagh]

Is there any chance he is not happy/ anxious at night ? I would also make sure he is not cold, as they can wake up if cold and then toilet.

You could have him with you at night for a few weeks, to see if he is more settled.

I don’t sleep with my dogs but agree cold might be a thing. Can he wear a coat? Scout is wearing jimmies in his kennel as well as having a heater set to 17 as it seems the only way to keep weight on him.
Food, Millie’s wolfheart is great for poos. imo.

 

[TGM]

Another option, is it possible to make the evening feed smaller and compensate by making the breakfast a bit bigger (assuming he is fed twice a day).

 

[ArklePig]

Two of mine have a different command to the other one, who came to me later in life and I do get them mixed up, believe it or not, it matters

This made me laugh. We just picked 'wee wee' for ours because we needed something ASAP and for some reason I started making it French so I say oui, oui. We couldn't work out why she wouldn't go for Mr AP, turns out she needs to be spoken to in French and wee wee didn't cut it. We're divs.

 

[poiuytrewq]

He’s the most unstressed dog ever, I’m absolutely certain he’s not getting upset at night. If I come down at literally anytime if night he’s curled up fast asleep and if it’s still dark outside has to be extracted from his bed, usually to jump into someone else’s before I’ve got the door open so I’m 99.9% certain it’s not stress. Obviously he can’t talk and confirm that but he appears to get into bed and be asleep instantly.

I would dearly love to have him sleeping with me but sadly no it’s not an option. We can’t have a wet muddy Labrador on the end of the bed and I believe they need treating the same. It would seem mean letting one up not the others.
OH would cry at the thought

He is fed twice a day yes, so yes I could easily make one smaller at night. Good suggestion.

I also give them a biscuit or treat when I leave for the night and have been buying different ones so must go back to the original of that aswell, hadn’t thought of that.

 

[AmyMay]

Deleted

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve had a Google and find there is now a Millie’s Wolfheart stockist fairly locally. Last time I looked there was nothing.
Oddly it’s a pet shop in the village my parents live in. I had no idea it was even there!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would try a different food feed a bit more in the morning so the evening feed is quite small and feed earlier.

 

[Clodagh]

I’ve had a Google and find there is now a Millie’s Wolfheart stockist fairly locally. Last time I looked there was nothing.
Oddly it’s a pet shop in the village my parents live in. I had no idea it was even there!

I didn’t even know they had stockists, I thought it was all on line. They have a helpful advice department if you call them.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I will. He had his dinner a bit earlier, I didn’t get in til 6.30 so not a huge difference.
I gave him the skinners for now, It’s what Spud lab and Basil eat. I’ve not given it to Cecil much because it rates badly on the all about dog food site (which I love!!) and because he’s a hero he only gets at least half decent stuff.
Is it worth me looking in pets at home tomorrow? Do they do anything good?
I’m heading that way anyway so am in the area.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I didn’t even know they had stockists, I thought it was all on line. They have a helpful advice department if you call them.

Oh really! I’ll go back and look at the website. I just went to stockists.
I’m not totally sure I believe this shop exists and text my mum who said the same so it would be great if I can order.

 

[Clodagh]

On skinners mine for England.
I don’t know about PAS, but they must do all sorts?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Having a quick look through, the best ones are Turkey or a mix of meat and fish.
I *think I need to steer clear of poultry. He went a bit bald at one point and the vet said to try different foods. I decided back then that poultry was a no go. I’ve not tried it since and he has a lovely coat and skin so may or may not be ok.
I try to stick with fish lamb or duck.
The others, a lot are a mix of meats. I have it in my head that single protein is best. Am
I wrong?

 

[poiuytrewq]

On skinners mine for England.
I don’t know about PAS, but they must do all sorts?

Skinners is the food that the lab is great on. He has a dodgy tummy and there is a gun dog lady who comes round the farms selling it. That’s why OH buys it for his.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Skinners working dog is our lab safety zone OH is rubbish with poo so I go along with it being chief cleaner upper!

 

[ArklePig]

I will. He had his dinner a bit earlier, I didn’t get in til 6.30 so not a huge difference.
I gave him the skinners for now, It’s what Spud lab and Basil eat. I’ve not given it to Cecil much because it rates badly on the all about dog food site (which I love!!) and because he’s a hero he only gets at least half decent stuff.
Is it worth me looking in pets at home tomorrow? Do they do anything good?
I’m heading that way anyway so am in the area.

Mine is on Acana adult, which I have a subscription to from pets at home. It's basically all she'll eat reliably, but it's 90% on all about dog food.