Why is my dog still pooping in the house?

It can be frustrating to dog owners to come home and find your dog pooping in the house. This problem can become especially worrisome if it starts happening multiple times with a dog that was previously housebroken. If your dog suddenly starts pooping in the house, you probably don’t know why he/she is doing it, or what to do about it.

To help you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the basic reasons you might suddenly find your dog pooping in the house. Some of them are small causes that may easily be resolved, but others are more involved and may indicate serious health issues.

Investigate Possible Medical Causes

An Aging Dog

If you have an older dog, your aging dog may suddenly be having issues controlling his bowels. This could be due to weakening muscles with age, or possibly even a mental condition such as canine cognitive dysfunction—a medical issue similar to human Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical Problems

Your dog also may have developed a health problem that is causing him or her to be unable to control pooping indoors. Some of those issues may include:

If your dog is already trained to go outside and he or she has suddenly started pooping indoors, it is best to consult with a vet first to rule out any of the above causes. Many of these medical issues will not go away without medicine or treatment and may cause even more long-term damage to your pet’s health if left unchecked. After determining that medical problems are not a factor, examine any changes in your pet’s lifestyle that may be causing your dog to poop indoors now.

Assess Contributing Lifestyle Factors

As strange as it may sound, have there been any significant life changes in your dog’s household that may be causing him/her stress? A recent move to a new home or welcoming a new family member into the household (whether human or animal) can cause a lot of anxiety for a dog, which may then affect their bowels. Even something as simple as having a construction project done to upgrade your home may make them anxious, with the sudden strange loud noises and unfamiliar people around the house.

If you can pinpoint any changes that may be causing your dog stress, try and spend extra time with them to help them cope. A walk around the block while the contractors are dropping off supplies or an individual play session with you when a new dog has been adopted helps your dog know that they can feel secure in their attachment with you. It is also helpful if your dog has their own space where they can retire and feel safe, such as their own crate or bed.

New Schedule

When schedule changes happen to human household members (new job, school starting, etc.) they can affect your dog’s schedule, too. Has the timing of your dog’s meals, walks or time outside changed? Your dog’s digestive system may not have caught up yet with the timing of his or her new lifestyle.

If any schedule changes have occurred, make sure your dog isn’t being left alone inside for too long. Like us, dogs need the chance to relieve themselves on a regular basis and can’t be expected to hold it for unreasonable amounts of time. Long periods alone may also bring about separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior in addition to seeing your dog pooping in the house.

A Different Diet

Also make sure to account for any human food that your dog has consumed. Many human foods can upset your dog’s stomach and may even be toxic to them. If you suspect your dog may have eaten something dangerous to their health, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Although it may be concerning to see your dog pooping in the house suddenly, don’t be discouraged! By taking a systematic approach and examining the causes above, you will be well on your way to reaching the root of the matter and solving this stinky issue. Once your dog has returned to pooping outside, keep your yard clean by scooping regularly or hiring a professional pooper scooper service such as Super Scoopers to do the work for you. Super Scoopers performs professional pooper scooper service in the Dallas & Fort Worth area of Texas.

Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.

Most people understand that when you bring a new puppy home, accidents are likely. But what about those times a trained dog starts doing its business in your dining room? With dogs in an estimated 48 million households, the question “Why is my dog pooping in the house?” is all too common.

Figuring out the cause of the sudden change and how to stop it can be a real mystery. Fortunately, our furry friends may offer a few clues with their actions to help you solve this issue in short order.

Why Is My Dog Pooping in My House?

Unlike humans, dogs can’t tell you how they’re feeling. They use other methods — like pooping in the house — to let you know something may not be right. Dr. Chyrle Bonk, a mixed-animal veterinarian based in Idaho, explains why dogs may start relieving themselves indoors.

Not fully potty-trained yet

One simple explanation could be your pet isn’t fully potty-trained. It’s possible your dog has learned to pee outside first, but hasn’t grasped the concept of pooping outside.

If you think this might be the case, be sure to give your dog lots of time and praise while outdoors. Also, use a single command to indicate it’s time to go to the bathroom, such as “go.” Then give even more praise when they do.

Easily distracted

When outside, give your dog plenty of time to go. It could be they’re easily distracted by outside noises and activities, which means they may not finish their business when they should.

Don’t let them go outside by themselves. Stay with them and continue giving the single-word commands as a reminder.

Anxiety

Dogs may poop inside to avoid facing something that scares them outside. The anxiety could occur for lots of reasons, like weather (too hot or too cold), passing cars or the continuous barking of a neighbor’s dog.

Several medical conditions could cause unexplained pet accidents in the home. “Anything that causes diarrhea or an urgency to go, such as parasites, infections, a food allergy, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer, can make it so that dogs don’t have a chance to get outside before they need to go,” Bonk says.

Look for changes in feces consistency or color, frequency in pooping and changes in their appetite.

Aging

Older dogs may simply not be able to hold it any longer, or they may forget where they need to go to the bathroom.

How To Stop a Dog from Pooping in the House

Getting to the source of the problem is the first step in solving the pooping mystery.

• Rule out age or medical reasons. A visit to the vet will confirm if your dog is experiencing a medical or age-related condition. If it’s caused by one of these, the vet can advise on the best course of action or possibly prescribe medicine.

• Use a schedule. Create (and stick to!) a schedule to encourage pooping outside and not inside. As dogs age or household routines change, it may be easy to forget how essential a schedule is to a dog.

• Increase potty time. Whether you let your dogs outside in the yard or take them for extended walks, bringing them out more often throughout the day will signal to them to go outdoors instead of in.

• Create a safe place. Establishing a safe, quiet place outside can help reduce dog anxiety. You can also encourage your dog to use a spot that’s out of the way to avoid their anxiety triggers.

• Clean up the messes right away. Be sure to remove and thoroughly clean any messes in the home with an effective enzyme cleaner. “Lingering odor is like a magnet, attracting your dog and begging them to poop there again,” Bonk says. “Remember, just because you don’t smell anything in the area you just cleaned doesn’t mean your dog can’t.” An enzyme cleaner will help neutralize the odor and not simply mask it, so your pet won’t be tempted to return to this spot to go.

• Use training items. As a last resort, Bonk suggests placing a pee pad or indoor artificial grass potty pad where your dog regularly poops. Once your dog is trained to use these, you can start gradually moving them towards the door. Stick with encouraging and reminding your dog to go outside, and eventually they will understand that outdoors is the best place to go.

Originally Published: December 03, 2021