Sudden Change in Behaviour

[Willow1306]

Hi,
Our dog has always been very nervy and intent on pleasing everybody, she's never had to be reprimanded or be treated forcefully. She was very quick to be house-trained and has not once had any accidents inside, that is, up until this weekend, when she has now taken to using the house as her own personal bathroom.
We have this week had new turf put down on our garden, which for the past few months has just been a big patch of dirt due to house renovations. The people who put the turf down had advised that the dog not be allowed on the turf for approx. 3 weeks in order to give the turf a chance to settle and to prevent her digging it up etc. The work people also told her off for sitting on the lawn whilst they were finishing putting it down. We put up some temporary fencing around the edge of the lawn to stop her going onto it but enabling her to go into the back garden and wonder/play/crap in the patio area which is fairly large.
Unfortunately, she has pooed inside the house on 4 occasions this weekend including on a brand new cream carpet!
We're trying to leave her out as much as possible and have since taken the temporary fencing down and are allowing her onto the lawn now, to save our carpets over the grass, and are hoping that she will now use the turf.
Does anybody have any similar experience of this sudden change in behaviour? She is quite sensitive and this behaviour is extremely out of character for her, but we're putting it down to the new lawn. Would you bother taking her to the vets? She goes on 2 long walks a day, over fields where she can have a good run etc.

Any help appreciated!

 

[Booboos]

If this is just faeces not urine and if it is not diarrhea due to an upset tummy, then it does sound like she has become confused and thinks she should not go outside.

Will she go on walks? If yes, time her walks at times when she will need to go (e.g. first thing in the morning, after food, last thing at night) then when she goes praise her (wait until she is finished as she sounds like a sensitive soul!).

In the house, revert to what you would do with a puppy, i.e. take her out often and especially at times when she may need to go.

 

[camilla4]

It does sound as though she has got the wrong message! She's just temporarily confused and you will basically need to go back to house training her like a puppy. Take her outside as often as you can, encourage her to "go" and praise like mad when she does. A lot of dogs don't like to wee or poo on hard surfaces when they are used to grass - carpet probably feels more similar. I think she'll be fine really quickly - don't worry!

 

[Willow1306]

Thanks. She is a sensitive soul and is upset when she does 'go' inside. She is pretty good when we take her for walks and will go then.
I've just taken her onto the lawn to play with her and she seemed quite comfortable then, so hopefully she will want to start going out on her own accord and i won't have to keep putting her out, as she's very good at hanging her head and making you feel guilty.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Agree with others, sounds lik she has identified that outside is not a place to 'go', it will just be a matter of re-educating her - she picked up the (unknown to her) wrong habit quickly enough so she seems to be a quick learner

 

[CAYLA]

Ditto everyone else, I think it may have to do with the temporary restriction to the lawn, in addition to going back to basics, I would also restrict her access to the areas indoors that she is soiling when u are not there, i.e if u are in the house keep her in your sights, don't let her wonder off to another room, as this way if she does pass a motion, u can correct her by simply leading her to designated pooh area, (that is the garden)

during the periods she is left alone leave her in a smaller space, like kitchen/utility, then immediately as u come home, no fuss, jsut let her straight out to turfed area.

 

[camilla4]

Agree with Cayla above. Also, I understand that adding a citrus scent to areas where they have soiled before can deter them from using that spot again. Any experts who can verify that or shoot it down?!!