Help - Dog keeps crapping inside - why?
Discussion
We have an 18 month old Staffi cross. She is toilet trained, and will usually only go in the garden, even if shes out on walks etc, she will wait until she is home. She is walked every day, and at the moment, one of us is home permanently, so she is only on her own for a couple of hours at a time maximum.
The last two weeks, she has been crapping in the hallway where she sleeps (has kitchen and hallway overnight). She is let out to pee etc several times in the evening, and just before bed (10-11pm). She's then let out in the morning around 7. I've been coming home from work between 4 and 7 depending on shift, and the dog has crapped every single day.
We have taken her food away from 6pm, been kicking her out to the toilet every hour, but this morning, yet again, theres a pile of crap. I got up and let her out at midnight as she barked. Nothing then. Wife got up at 5 to feed baby, could smell it. Downstairs and theres another pile.
What can we do? This is getting ridiculous. It's not a toilet training issue, or a medical one I can see any sign of, she just wont go in the evenings then crap in the night.
What can I do / change to try and stop this?
The last two weeks, she has been crapping in the hallway where she sleeps (has kitchen and hallway overnight). She is let out to pee etc several times in the evening, and just before bed (10-11pm). She's then let out in the morning around 7. I've been coming home from work between 4 and 7 depending on shift, and the dog has crapped every single day.
We have taken her food away from 6pm, been kicking her out to the toilet every hour, but this morning, yet again, theres a pile of crap. I got up and let her out at midnight as she barked. Nothing then. Wife got up at 5 to feed baby, could smell it. Downstairs and theres another pile.
What can we do? This is getting ridiculous. It's not a toilet training issue, or a medical one I can see any sign of, she just wont go in the evenings then crap in the night.
What can I do / change to try and stop this?
Do you watch her when outside. Is she trying to go out and come back in as quick as possible. Has something possibly freaked her out whilst in the garden in recent weeks? It may be worth getting a DAP collar to wear. It has a natural pheromone that can reduce a stress she may be feeling.
You say it's not medical and it pprobably isn't but you shouldn't say it definitely isn't until checked out.
Has her diet changed in recent weeks?
Is she getting the same amount of exercise or attention as before your babies arrival. There could be an attention seeking element.
You say it's not toilet training but in a way it is. Go back to basics with how you did toilet draining when she was a pup. Use positive rewarding. Don't tell her off if she does it. It's too late and to her it's still a form of attention but do ignore her whilst clearing it up.
You say it's not medical and it pprobably isn't but you shouldn't say it definitely isn't until checked out.
Has her diet changed in recent weeks?
Is she getting the same amount of exercise or attention as before your babies arrival. There could be an attention seeking element.
You say it's not toilet training but in a way it is. Go back to basics with how you did toilet draining when she was a pup. Use positive rewarding. Don't tell her off if she does it. It's too late and to her it's still a form of attention but do ignore her whilst clearing it up.
And again this morning. Did the whole praise/reward thing, dog went out to toilet before bed. 2am she's chewing the skirting board and yelping. Wife goes down, dog's crapped on the hall floor. Will be looking for a DAP collar, as said dog is quite content again, currently asleep on the sofa.
I think something has stressed her out, is there a pattern of what time. Have you put the heating on recently. What she like with fireworks? Sorry more questions I ask, more of a picture I get. Also look into Zylkene, your vets will have it and explain it but it's a natural product and non prescription to help with anxiety
I'm going down the lines of stress - when I think about it, she was speyed, then had a collar, and was allowed to sleep on sofa etc due to collar. She chewed her scar so the collar went back on, and she was on antibiotics. She then chewed her hard plastic bed when shut out of the lounge, resulting in me binning it. She's now on just a blanket as she shreds any form of pillow type bed, generally when shes put out of the room ie when we have young children/babies to visit.
I shall get her a new hard plastic bed, and see if that makes any difference. Dog has been asleep on sofa next to me for last 2 hours - no indication of wanting to move. I have a crate for car travel, but am reluctant to use it for sleeping overnight, as the dog previously just howled and chewed the bars all night.
I shall get her a new hard plastic bed, and see if that makes any difference. Dog has been asleep on sofa next to me for last 2 hours - no indication of wanting to move. I have a crate for car travel, but am reluctant to use it for sleeping overnight, as the dog previously just howled and chewed the bars all night.
Crates need to be introduced. Put favourite toys in it, treats, blanket. Leave the door open let her go in and out on her own. Do not shut her in for quite a while (days to weeks) until she sleeps in it on her own accord. Use DAP (collar or plug in) Zylkene and maybe Kalmaid for a couple weeks aswell
But I'd be tempted to move slowly, use the natural products before bringing the crate out and just see if she'll settle down first.
But I'd be tempted to move slowly, use the natural products before bringing the crate out and just see if she'll settle down first.
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