pooping problem

• 11-13-2007 12:30 AM

  doctorwang Joined on 11-13-2007 Posts 3 Points 0

  pooping problem Reply Contact My dog has a pooping problem. He is a chihuahua about 2 years old and recently had a bad habit. His been pooping in one area of the house. He is trained to do his duties outside, but recently he is pooping just in this one area of the house. I was wondering how can i fix this problem. Maybe a doggy door? Advice and suggestions please!  sorry if i posted in the wrong section. Redirect if needed. Thanks

  Filed under: Chihuahua, behavior problems, active dogs, bathroom Post Points: 0

• 11-13-2007 1:32 AM

  In reply to doctorwang

  DumDog Joined on 04-02-2007 North Florida Posts 4,504 Points 205

  Re: pooping problem Reply Contact might want to try crate training him. i am dogsitting a chihuahua who .. it SEEMS.. likes to poop to get even with you for what ever reasons. its always worse after her people come visit and then leave. in ONE day she crapped in the living room, my sons room, under the dining table, in our closet and on the porch.. when i walk her on the leash she will just pee. she saves #2 for inside unless i crate her and then take her back outside or put her on the tie-out when i am working in the garden. Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.

  Post Points: 0

• 11-13-2007 5:19 AM

  In reply to doctorwang

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 5,498 Points 10

  Re: pooping problem Reply Contact Go back to the beginning. Confinement and supervision are key.  Confine her indoors with a crate or tether her to your waist.  Watch her very very carefully and take her outside very often to avoid mistakes.  When she goes in the right place, give her lots of praise and her favourite treat.  Save this treat for good toileting for now.  When you know she has "been" allow her limited freedom - in other words, not crated or tethered, but still kept where you can see her.  When she makes a mistake, take her outside in case she needs to do more and praise her for anything done out there.  Pop her out of sight while you clean up - in her crate with a chewy is ideal.  Move the poo outside to the right place.  Clean up any residue with an enzymatic cleaner.  Take her back outside to where you have put the poo.  Let her see and sniff it.  Never punish or "correct" in any way for incorrect toiletting. If she is going back to the same spot, it will be memory, not just scent, that is leading her back there.  You could try moving her bed and/or food/water bowls to this area to break this habit. You might need to take her for a vet check to rule out any medical condition which may be causing/exacerbating this. Don't free feed. Hope that helps. "Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." (Pratchett, Jingo) "I used to look at [my dog] Smokey and think, 'If you were a little smarter you could tell me what you were thinking,' and he'd look at me like he was saying, 'If you were a little smarter, I wouldn't have to.'" - Fred Jungclaus

  Post Points: 0

• 11-13-2007 4:30 PM

  In reply to DumDog

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,748 Points 330

  Re: pooping problem Reply Contact DumDog: she saves #2 for inside unless i crate her and then take her back outside or put her on the tie-out when i am working in the garden. Sounds like someone punished or yelled at this dog for pooping.  Now she thinks she is not supposed to poop in front of people. Take Chuffy's advice.  This will take time, great treats, and maybe even mirrors to watch her, so you can "catch" her pooping.

  Filed under: housetraining, house training Post Points: 0

• 11-13-2007 4:54 PM

  In reply to doctorwang

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,748 Points 330

  Re: pooping problem Reply Contact doctorwang: He is trained to do his duties outside, but recently he is pooping just in this one area of the house. Dogs don't generalize well.  "Don't poop in the living room" doesn't necessarily mean "don't poop in the bedroom". Each time a dog is allowed into a new area of the home, he should be fed there for a while and a bed should be placed there for a while.  Your dog was given too much freedom to soon and did not develop a prohibition against pooping in that one area. I would block off that area, clean it very well, and wait two months to help break the habit.  Then I would slowly allow access to more and more of the area.  Each time move the food bowl and the bed to the newest area.  Now and until you have finished working on developing a prohibition against pooping in that area, be sure to frequently and enthusiastically reward the dog for pooping outside.  Use his favorite treat and, while you are doing this training, don't give that treat for anything else.

  Filed under: housetraining, house training Post Points: 0