Dog Community

6 year old Shih Tzu suddenly pooping in house

Posted : 2/14/2012 12:25:45 AM

We have a Shih Tzu. We got her as a rescue when she was 11 months old. She was in the rescue for 7 months because one of the workers there wanted to save up the money to adopt her. But when I came looking for a small dog, she saw how the dog and I got along and let me adopt her. Her name is JennaBug and she is a great dog. Great with kids too. I worked with her a lot, for months, when I first got her. She and I would go outside regularly and I trained her to poop and pee "on command". It took months of standing outside with her for sometimes an hour before she would go. But I got her to understand if she pee'd and pooped for me she would be rewarded. Then we got a doggie door and she could go out on her own and she was excellent in doing just that for years. Now for some reason she is pooping in the house in the evening. It seems to be timed with when I put my granddaughter (2) to bed. Jenna will poop right outside her bedroom door for me to "see" when I come out of the room. It isn't one pile either. It is a piece here and a piece there. I really don't know what is causing this. It has been going on now for a couple weeks. I usually ignore it and clean it up. But tonight I had enough and scolded her and put her outside for a few minutes while I cleaned it up. She whined and scratched to get back in. After about 15 minutes I let her back in and she immediately peed on the floor when I called her over to me. Then I cleaned that up and came to the computer and started typing this message, she pooped right next to me at my computer! I really don't get it. She has been typical in the fact she has peed in the house when she is excited to see someone or thinks she is in trouble. I try never to scold her because I read that Shih Tzu don't handle scolding well and "shut down" whatever that means. I know Jenna cowers whenever she thinks I am upset with her and will pee wherever she is and slink away from me. But this pooping is a recent thing. The only time she would poop in the house before was when we would have lots of guests over and I think she would get stressed. But that would be only once or twice a year. Now recently she is doing this pooping almost nightly. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, ConnieW

Freedom

Posted : 2/14/2012 11:19:31 AM

Yes, shih tzu and some others will shut down if you scold them; and scolding serves no purpose to the dog's mind anyway, so no point in doing it. My Lacey, a bichon, is a very soft dog and I can't even use a stern voice or she shuts down.

Seems like you have identified the trigger - you are putting the baby to bed, with the door closed behind you, and the dog is outside the door unable to get to you or see what is happening. Is the toddler crying, fussing, not interested in going to bed? This could be another situation of the stress pooping you had noticed when you have guests over! Does JennaBug identify with the girl, like her? A positive connection between them would support this guess too. What do you think?

Liesje

Posted : 2/14/2012 11:51:04 AM

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up with why the dog is doing it and just take a few steps back in the general house training routine. Maybe the dog is "upset" or maybe she just has to poop at that time of day? If she consistently poops in the same area at the same time of day, I would start by letting her out to potty more often before that time of day. Then if you cannot supervise her, confine her to a crate or small area while you tend to the baby. Most dogs, unless they are sick, aren't going to soil their crate/pen.

ConnieW

Posted : 2/14/2012 12:53:01 PM

Thanks so much for your input. Some of what you say makes sense. The door to the room I am in is never closed. Jenna can come in with me anytime while I am putting my granddaughter, Julia, to bed. Jenna often does come in the room with me. Yes, Jenna and Julia play together and Jenna generally likes Julia. Always very happy to see her when she gets up in the morning. But doesn't really interact with her too much during the day. But Jenna does like Julia. Jenna generally shadows me all day. I agree scolding Jenna does no good. But with the door open and Julia rarely fusses about going to bed, I don't see this stressing Jenna. Immediately before Julia going to bed Jenna is usually sleeping or chewing on a dog toy, not even interested in Julia. I am thinking maybe I should go out with her just before I put Julia to bed to see if she will poop. Jenna has a doggie door and can go out whenever she needs to. She is generally good about going out on her own. Thanks again