My Jack Russell Terrier is 6yrs old and has been potty trained to use a doggie door since she was 8 weeks old. All of a sudden she's peeing and pooping on rugs in my daughters' rooms when we're not home or when everyone is sleeping. I don't know how to punish her because she's still going outside too.
By Stevie L
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When a formerly house-trained dog breaks training there is something serious going on and punishment is completely out of line. You need to figure out why your dog is doing this. There a lot of different reasons a dog will suddenly start using the indoors for a bathroom.
First, has the dog been ill or injured? JRs are notorious for running full speed into a wall, for example-is there a chance your dog is suffering a concussion? A concussion will change a dog's personality and behaviours.
Has your JR shown any signs of listlessness, anxiety (common when ill) lack of interest in companionship or conversely suddenly become extra clingy? Is he off his feed, not drinking enough water or drinking too much (sign of canine diabetes)? Any other common signs of illness?
If you can't answer definitively, or if you can say yes to any of the above, you need to take your dog to the vet now.
If you can positively say 'No' to the above, however, the regression to breaking house-training is almost always a dog's only way of telling you he/she is under tremendous psychological stress and it is up to you to figure out the cause, then take steps to relieve the stress.
For example, has someone started a new job; is there a new pet in the house; have you recently moved house; has the JR recently lost a companion (other animal or a human he/she was especially close to)?
Whether physical or psychological, something is really wrong with your dog. He won't learn anything from being punished. Punishment will only increase the stress and cause your dog to increase, not decrease the incidents.
Take your dog to the vet for a check. Be honest with yourself and do a home evaluation to determine what is stressing your JR if the vet gives him an 'all-clear'. Your vet is a perfect source of assistance, btw, for JR related behavioural issues.
The following link is to a site I love, it's all things dogs and you can do a search on JRs to find out more:
Good luck, I hope your JR is ok physically and that you are able to figure out why he is so stressed he is relieving himself in all the wrong places! Please update us to let us know how he's doing.
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