Dog messing inside because it's cold?

[Toodle]

Hiya, I've never posted in here before I feel a little awkward lol

I own 2 dogs, an almost 8 year old terrier and a 2.5 year old shih-tzu. I've owned the terrier for almost 5 years, he came from our local holding kennels and the younger dog came from a breeder at 10 weeks old. Both are neutered males.

The shih-tzu has started messing in the house and it seems to coincide with the weather turning colder. As a rule they have access to the garden more or less all day but he'll still go inside the house. I've tried adding more walks, more garden only time, keeping the heating turned down lower and putting his jumper on so it's not such a temperature change but he doesn't seem to care, he even did it in the open doorway at the back door this morning

To make it worse if I pop out (I'm never out for long) and he does it my older dog seems to do it for the sake of it

They've never been like this before. I especially know the older one and as a rule he's the cleanest dog I've ever met. I know it's not a case of not being able to hold it as they have a kennel and run where I keep the ponies and they mess outside not in the kennel...so why are they using my house, kitchen and bathroom really, nowhere else, as a toilet?

Does anyone have any ideas? Hubby said if they carry on he wants to get them a kennel and run and they can live outside but I really want to avoid that. I love my boys and enjoy (aside from constantly cleaning up doggy dumps) having them in with me.

 

[CAYLA]

I persoanlly would crate them both indoors, by decreasing the space they have to pass their motions your are re-teaching aswell as taking the option as to the unwanted behaviour away until a time you want to increase the space once again, if they don't mess in a kennel I doubt they will mess in a crate, sometimes once they have started its hard to break the habit, so you need a new routine, if they have never been crated and you want a crate training guide just PM me and I will give you one, also make putting a jacket on the cold arse one during the bad weather for wee, but also for the time being place them out and close the door and not door open at all times and especially more so when they are released from crate as that is the basis of your new rotuine.

 

[Toodle]

Hiya Cayla, thanks so much for replying!

They're both more than happy to be in their crate, so that won't be a problem with them being in there. I shall follow your suggestion and see how we go.

I've kept the bathroom completely closed off as that was his main poo-room, and he was doing 2-3 small ones in a very short amount of time...almost as though he kind of half-heartedly tried whenever he thought he might need to go, but it's not a case of him HAVING to go, as he can be in the lounge or wherever and not do it...also at other peoples houses, again, no problem whatsoever.

So, closing off the bathroom to them completely has helped, but he'll do it in the doorway in the kitchen, also, he insists on doing it up something, so 9 times out of 10 I'm scrubbing it off my kitchen tiles, not nice...

I've not told him off for it as I've never caught him mid-business so to speak, but I think I read somewhere or was told by someone that you shouldn't clean it up infront of them as they see it as a sort of reward? Or is that a loads of codswallop? I think it may have been that lady dog behaviourist on TV?

Anyways, I ramble unnecessarily

Also, if you don't mind me asking a totally unrelated question, my big boy, I say big boy, he's not, parsons JR size, but bigger than the shih-tzu, is a grumble bum. He grumbles vocally when either asked to do something he doesn't want to do or is not allowed to do something he wants to, for example: Getting in the car to go home, or being lifted onto the table at the groomers or vets, he half-heartedly growls and grumbles, or being held if he sees a rabbit, another dog, being held while I close a gate, door etc the same. I've always just ignored him, he never tries to bite, nor does he get his own way, so I just see it as him trying to communicate his displeasure and having the last say, whereas my OH is of the opinion he shouldn't do it at all. He was estimated approximately 3 years old when I got him and was in a bit of a state weight-wise, he was also very defensive, though this calmed down quite rapidly as he bonded with me. What are your views on this?

Thanks again,

 

[PucciNPoni]

I don't have anything useful in terms of training to add to Cayla's bit - but just wanted to say that sometimes when the weather is rubbish the dogs that we get into our salon will have cheeky accidents, more so when it's wet than any other time.

My own girlie (16 yo) has peed in the house twice last week when the weather was absolultely diabolical - wind, rain, gusts and cold. She never did it before and hasn't since. But think she just decided it was worth the telling off! LOL

 

[CAYLA]

It wouldnot matter if they see you cleaning mess so dont let that put you off, usally a dog that is not literally un house trained but avoiding something suc as going out i the the cold will generally never do it in front of the owner if they are trying to do it infront of you thenthe house training is slipping, def close off all doors and keep them in the same room as you at all times when your are in the house, u cannot correct then (i.e put them up literally and carry them outside even if they have started), or if they have not yet started but maybe show signs like hovering round door or circling just simply say "right wee wee" and open all doors and "out" then close door, what fromthe window and praise and give a treat anda "good wee wee"
When you are not in then crate them at all times this will be the instance they crap or wee anywhere and simply walk away from it, the new rotuine is crate/hold wee/straight to toilet from crate when you come home (all free topass anyhwere has been aken away) and always clsoe the door do not give then an option to be wondering in and out.
Smaller breeds are harder to toilet train and easy to lapse (like bad weather)

I agree with your husband re grumbling ,I would nipit in the bud with an "ah ah" in my angry voice to show my displeasure in his vocal displeasure
With dogs, he would be checked via the collar and another vocal "in my not hapy voice "ahh ahh" or LEAVE IT"!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i would guess they are not going outside cos you are not going outside! look at the times you feed them and make sure you take them out for a walk 20 mins after. the walk has to last til they have gone! if that doesnt work then back to basics. out every half hour every half hour til they have gone. most dogs wont do their business in their crate so you need to take them outside, but often you need to go outside as well ............ to supervise. the shitszu ,,,,,,,,,,,, often the habits are in the name.