Dog has become dirty, any advice?

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Farma

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My 8yr old jrt has started to use the house as a toilet, I mean anywhere and everywhere, both ends as well. Its not ever day but its very often. The house has been completely renovated and my partner is pulling his hair out over it. We had new carpets laid and have had to replace some already as it went through into the underlay, now the flooring downstairs is becoming damaged in places, he is ruining the house!
We have never had this problem before I have no idea what's causing it, when my other dog was at the vet recently I had him with me and asked the vet, she said he was in good health and it could just be a phase? but he is 8?
He is entire, not sure that matters. I work from home so he can go out as many times a day as he likes and gets a walk every night, does anyone have any advice or suggestions?
 
both ends? is he being sick as well or do you just mean he both wees and poos?

one of our older collies is 11 and stone deaf, unfortunately she started this about a year ago as well and its a total pain. Everything checked and nothing wrong and of course we cant vocally correct her. She has always been one to scavenge and eat things but is so bad now (which of course multiplies what comes out) that we have had to resort to her being crated overnight and shut in the utility room when not supervised. You might have to do something similar and go back to puppy training to remind him.
 
I would certainly get a decent crate and confine him, I couldn't be doing with filth all over my new carpets. (Not that I am ever likely to have new carpets, but I can dream!).
I would also take him to the vets ASAP for a full work up, I would take a urine sample and get bloods looked at and get him thoroughly poked and prodded.
I wonder if the vet was dismissive as they don't like being asked for a free consult on top of the one that is being paid for? (I am as guilty as the next person of doing that, I admit).
 
NeverEver said:
both ends? is he being sick as well or do you just mean he both wees and poos?

one of our older collies is 11 and stone deaf, unfortunately she started this about a year ago as well and its a total pain. Everything checked and nothing wrong and of course we cant vocally correct her. She has always been one to scavenge and eat things but is so bad now (which of course multiplies what comes out) that we have had to resort to her being crated overnight and shut in the utility room when not supervised. You might have to do something similar and go back to puppy training to remind him.
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Sorry I was trying to not say crap and wee but that's what I meant! The thing is he becomes very upset and withdrawn if he is scolded verbally and will hide in his bed, he clearly doesn't want to be told off and is very sensitive! I have never crated either of the dogs and would rather not but I guess I may have to look at this now as its becoming such an issue in the house. Thanks for the advice x
 
Clodagh said:
I would certainly get a decent crate and confine him, I couldn't be doing with filth all over my new carpets. (Not that I am ever likely to have new carpets, but I can dream!).
I would also take him to the vets ASAP for a full work up, I would take a urine sample and get bloods looked at and get him thoroughly poked and prodded.
I wonder if the vet was dismissive as they don't like being asked for a free consult on top of the one that is being paid for? (I am as guilty as the next person of doing that, I admit).
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You are right there I think, perhaps I should have asked for a full consultation, its just that she knows him well as regularly checks a large lump he has so she seemed happy to discuss it but didn't suggest a proper check up or tests!
I should mention I have a toddler indoors which makes matters more difficult as he is always rolling round the carpets an flooring and I don't want him finding a load of crap before I do!
 
It certainly sounds as if he can't help it, for whatever reason. I would want to rule out all possible physical causes first. If all is well, including the possibility of dementia being ruled out, I think I would conclude that the renovations have upset him and he doesn't feel comfortable in a house full of new smells. One of the Feliway-type diffusers might help with that.
 
you definitely need to confine him press re-set on his training. Even use a stairgate to keep him in one room? You dont have to scold him but if he’s with you and you catch him about to go, scoop him up and put him straight out and praise him for going in the right place again. Do you have a toileting command? I use ‘be quick’ and lots of praise when they go.
Just a thought - but could the toddler being about now be stressing him out, just one of the pitfalls sadly.
 
Pearlsacarolsinger said:
It certainly sounds as if he can't help it, for whatever reason. I would want to rule out all possible physical causes first. If all is well, including the possibility of dementia being ruled out, I think I would conclude that the renovations have upset him and he doesn't feel comfortable in a house full of new smells. One of the Feliway-type diffusers might help with that.
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That's the thing, he is so upset when he does it, I see his face and I know he has done something somewhere, to be honest its hard to see him so worried about it but he is a worrier of a dog! I have another jrt that is the polar opposite of him, really bold and confident I don't know why he is like it. I would say we have moved and renovated at least 5 houses in the 8 years we have had him so it would be odd for him to be bothered by that suddenly although obviously everything is a possibility!
I remember years ago my old cat getting dementia and started to go to the toilet everywhere but he was very old. You may have a good point, thank you.
 
I'd definitely get a full check over by a vet. Dogs don't like not being clean, as a generalisation, and it will be causing him as much stress as it is you and if you are getting stressed and frustrated he will be feeling that too.
All dogs are different, the same as people, it's not unusual for them to have completely different personalities. For a stressy dog, change and indeed a new small noisy person in the house will also be cause to worry.
 
I would try not to scold him. He is probably looking worried as he is expecting to be told off. Sometimes the more they are told off, the more they will toilet in secret areas away from you and it can make the behaviour worse not better.

I would clean everywhere he has toileted with an enzymatic cleaner/urine neutraliser so the areas don't smell like a toilet to him anymore. Keep him in a crate/one room and take him out every couple of hours to toilet, praise him when he does....basically go back to puppy training and see if that helps. As suggested above he could be upset by the recent renovations? Try adaptil diffuser.

Also may require a vet check incase there is something else going on.
 
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Farma said:
I would say we have moved and renovated at least 5 houses in the 8 years we have had him so it would be odd for him to be bothered by that suddenly although obviously everything is a possibility!
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my last dog seemed happy with our multiple moves but the last one (he was 8) really threw him and he wasn't right for about six months-we didn't have toilet issues though, he was just very unsettled and fretty and he was a very bold dog when younger. even after that if we packed a bag or got boxes in for something he got visibly stressy so we used to do anything like that when he wasn't there. what they react to can change as they get older. you've had some good suggestions here, would also go to the vet in the first instance.
 
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