Previously House Broken Dog Has Started Pooping in the House

I have a 3 year old pup that never pooped inside the house unless she was sick and we recently moved in (in the past 6 months) with my partner and her dog. Her 2 year old pup has taught my 3 year old good girl pup to poop in the house.

Her dog just never got trained and we've tried everything short of crating her (my partner won't). I don't know what to do, my girl never did such things and now she seems to think it's okay even though they both get in trouble when they go in the house. Help!

My partner has a Cairn Terrier and I have a 1/2 Spitz, 1/2 Border Collie. I love these girls but I'm at wits end with them. Any ideas for training the other pup and getting mine to stop? I've even brought myself to diaper the little one in order to make her stop. Is it too late for training?

Trish from Washington DC

Answers:

Previously House Broken Dog Has Started Pooping in the House

Crate training is not mean or cruel to dogs. It is natural for a dog to be a den animal and they actually like the crate when taught properly to use it. Your dog probably started because of the residual smells throughout the house. Your dog is confused as to where is the proper place to go. The only way I know to train them is to confine them, because dogs don't want to relieve themselves where they will have to lay in it if at all possible.

Only other thing I can think of is to watch them 24 hours a day for a couple weeks and take them out like you would a puppy and praise them for going outside and catch them sniffing around the house before they have a chance to go inside. Crate training is easier. You could also board your pups for a few weeks in a good kennel that takes the dogs out frequently, then they can house train them while you clean your carpets professionally. (02/14/2008)

By Candy

Previously House Broken Dog Has Started Pooping in the H

Hi! Do you feed the dogs from a big bowl so they eat whenever they want? That should stop. Do two feedings at exactly the same time each day and their bowels will respond on a schedule you all can live with. And don't overfeed. Are the dogs fat?

Are the dogs being walked at all? They need at least a half-hour of exercise morning and night, every day. Crating the dogs after being exercised is not cruel, however forcing dogs to live in a stressful home, where they are constantly getting in trouble, is cruel.

I think using a trainer that can make house calls and getting some couples therapy for the humans is in order. Invest in solving this problem so you can have a nice clean home if for no other reason. And yes, not too late for training. For the dogs either. (02/15/2008)

By Bonnie

Previously House Broken Dog Has Started Pooping in the House

Write to the dog whisperer show and ask for a good source of information. Also, get enzyme cleaner or use white vinegar where ever you know they have gone.

But first, train yourselves. 15 minutes after they eat solid food take both for a walk and don't come back until they've pooped. Put up food so you have control over when they eat solid food. Of course leave water down. You must be firm with yourself, no matter how tired you are; no excuses. You will also enjoy the walks (2 times per day). Until they are trained, take them out yourself, don't just let them out, so it will be a positive moment for them.

In our family, I had to take our puppies out, because everyone in the family lacked self discipline but me. However, I don't like cleaning up poop, and I don't like to hear others whining. I guess I didn't train my kids right. At least I got the dog thing right. (08/13/2009)

By PENNY K