How to Stop a Dog From Pooping in the House
No matter the underlying cause of your dogs inappropriate defecation in the house, punishment is not going to resolve the issue. Do not yell at your dog or rub your dogs nose in it, as this is not an effective strategy.
Here are some tips for how to stop your dog from pooping inside. Consult with your veterinarian if these strategies do not help in resolving the issue.
It is important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to find any possible medical conditions.
Intestinal parasites can be diagnosed with fecal testing and easily treated with deworming medications. Also, if your pet is at higher risk of exposure to intestinal parasites, it is essential to keep them on monthly prevention as a form of protection.
For food allergies, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet such as a hydrolyzed protein or novel protein diet to see if your pet will tolerate the food better.
Ask your vet about adding a daily probiotic to your pet’s food, such as Purina Fortiflora or Nutramax Proviable to help promote a balanced intestinal microbiome.
Why Is My Dog Pooping in the House?
If your dog keeps pooping in the house, they may have a health issue, or something might have changed in their routine, diet, or home environment that’s causing the accidents.
The first step is to rule out a medical reason, which involves making an appointment to see your veterinarian.
Any medical condition that leads to inflammation of your dog’s intestines or an increased sense of urgency can result in an accident in the house. One common cause of gastrointestinal disease in dogs is intestinal parasites (worms).
Dogs may come in contact with parasites in the yard, at dog parks, or from being in contact with other dogs or cats. These parasitic worms create inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in diarrhea, blood, and/or mucus in the stool.
Food allergies or food intolerance may also cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Although food allergies in dogs are relatively uncommon, 10-15% of dogs diagnosed with food allergies show signs of both skin disease and gastrointestinal disease, typically in the form of loose stool.
Common food allergies for dogs include beef, dairy, chicken, wheat, and lamb. The intolerance or food allergy may cause your dog to poop more often, have soft yet formed stools, and have more gas and stomach noises.
Separation anxiety has become a more common issue for some dogs, especially if there is a change in how often you are at home with them. If your dog is accustomed to you being home with them most of the day, and then your schedule changes and you’re away for longer periods, this can be upsetting for your dog.
Dogs with separation anxiety will typically start to become nervous or anxious as you get ready to leave the house (grabbing a coat or keys, putting on your shoes, etc.). Your dog may start engaging in behaviors like destructive chewing, pacing, whining, or house soiling.
Your dog may be pooping inside because something outdoors scares them or makes them anxious. Some dogs have a more nervous personality, and loud sounds such as vehicles passing by, dogs barking, thunder, people shouting, or other loud noises can contribute to fear and anxiety.
Your dog may also be anxious from possible predators, rain, people running by, or wheeled objects like skateboards, suitcases, or bikes going by them. If your dog is tense and fearful when outside, they may not use the bathroom until they are back indoors.
Some dogs may defecate in the house because they did not spend enough time outside to go to the bathroom. When dogs go outside, they usually want to sniff and explore their environment for new sights, smells, or sounds. So if your dog spends a lot of time exploring instead of urinating and defecating, they may not have had enough time to poop outdoors.
Most dogs get used to a schedule of eating, going for walks, or even playing at certain times. If there is an abrupt change to this routine, your dog may not be prepared, and this can contribute to pooping in the house. With a newly house-trained pet, any new stressors or change in their daily routine can result in setbacks.
As your pet ages, their house-training skills may not be as sharp as they were when they were a puppy. Older dogs can start to show mild signs of canine cognitive dysfunction or mild dog dementia, where they start to forget certain learned behaviors. Common signs seen include pacing, wandering, increased anxiousness, and more episodes of house-soiling.
Another age-related factor is arthritis. An older dog with signs of hip or knee pain may have more difficulty getting into the position to defecate, so they may have trouble going in the appropriate place.
Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Whether it’s because you bought a new brand of food or treats or if your dog got into the trash can, a dog’s intestinal tract does not handle this kind of abrupt change well.
The change in diet can cause a massive shift in the microflora biome (good and bad bacteria) that make up your dog’s intestinal tract. This imbalance can cause loose stools, leading to accidents in the house.
Prevention of Pooping in the House
You can help reduce house soiling during training or re-training by creating and sticking to a scheduled routine of feeding and walking your dog. You should also reward your dog when he eliminates at the correct time and in the right place. If your dog does have an indoor accident, do not scold him. Instead, relocate the poop to the proper spot and have him inspect it. Throwing out waste may seem like the logical thing to do but creating a chemical and scent association will help him remember where the proper place to poop is. Additionally, always clean the area well where your dog inappropriately soiled because your dog will want to return to this same area in the future due to chemical association. An enzymatic cleaner works well for this.
If your dog’s elimination issues are due to a medical condition you can feed your dog less food at more intervals to help keep the volume of waste down. Feed an easily digestible diet and steer clear of treats and table scraps. Getting to the root of the medical condition will also determine future efforts for keeping your dog healthy. You can also hire a pet sitter who can assist with regular walks and feeding if you are not available to take your dog on more routine walks.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Peeing & Pooping Inside – Tips From Al The Dog Trainer
Let’s get one thing straight. Don’t punish your dog if he poops in the house. This applies even when your dog has been potty trained. No dog is the same. Some will get house-trained much quicker than others. If you find yourself in a situation where your dog constantly poops in the house then the responsibility falls on you to guide the dog in the right direction.
Instead of disciplining your dog for pooping indoors, what you are going to do is to reward your dog for pooping outside. More dog owners need to understand that positive reinforcement is an essential component of dog training and it works really well for the poop of a situation you are in.