Older dog suddenly pooing indoors

[moomin11]

My dog has recently started pooing in the house despite being housetrained and having hardly any accidents for many years. She recently had a checkup at the vets for some lumps (thankfully benign tumours) and they said she was fine although a bit tense in her abdomen. She gets very anxious at the vets though so it could have been that. Her poos are firm and she can hold on all day when we are at work so I'm wondering if it's a behavioural thing? We have another dog staying with us at the moment and although it started before that it has become more frequent (3 times last week). She has also done it a couple of times at a relative's house recently, again there is another dog there. Has anyone experienced this? Any advice gratefully received!

[Redhound]

I would guess its anger or stress at the other dog. The only time my dog has pooed inside (unless ill)was when my partner's dog shared HER lounge with her. She was angry/upset about it.

[Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten]

It could also be spinal issues some dogs lose the feeling of when they need to poo. I would pop back to the vet.

If she did it before the dog arrived at your house I would not think it is related to the other dog.

[Redhound]

Good point definitely check again for physical issues

[moomin11]

Thanks for your comments. I think I'll see what happens when the other dog goes home and take her to the vet if it continues. She has done it occasionally but it's difficult to get her to go out at night sometimes so I assumed she was just caught short those times. It definitely happens more when she is with another dog, despite the fact that she gets on well with them, hadn't ever thought she would be upset or anxious as she doesn't show any other signs.

[Agentornika]

Is your dog at home all day on her own?

[moomin11]

Only 2 days a week at most, why?

[Wolfiefan]

Because no dog should be denied access to toileting outside for more than about four hours. Holding on all day could just be too much.

[moomin11]

She's doing it overnight at some point even though she can go out before bed and first thing in the morning so I don't think that's relevant.

[Wolfiefan]

It is if she had been forced to hold it all day.

[Veterinari]

Spinal arthritis
Senile cognitive dysfunction (dementia)
Weaker bowels and unable to hold on all day
Def worth further investigation

[moomin11]

To clarify, this has not been happening on days where she is home on her own in the daytime. She has had ample opportunity to go outside throughout the day. I wouldn't be asking the question if it was just a matter of her not being able to hold it due to not being let outside.

[Wolfiefan]

Doesn’t matter.
It’s cruel to leave a dog all day long.
Such a drastic change in behaviour needs a vet check.

[moomin11]

She isn't treated cruelly at all but thanks anyway. I have already said I will get her checked out if it continues after the other dog is gone.

[Wolfiefan]

It should be checked out ASAP. And leaving a dog unable to pee outside for hours and hours IS cruel.

[moomin11]

I did wonder about dementia as she is old, her hearing is poor now and her vision isn't as good as it used to be, sometimes she does seem to be in her own world bless her.

How would they check for spinal arthritis?

[moomin11]

So you have said Wolfiefan, we will have to agree to disagree. Your comments aren't particularly helpful.

[Wolfiefan]

They are if they make you realise a dog shouldn’t be forced to hold its bladder all day.

[moomin11]

They aren't helpful in terms of the issue this thread is about. She isn't peeing indoors all the time because she is home alone every day, if that was our situation then your comment would be relevant. In any event, there isn't any need to keep repeating it. I don't see what purpose that serves.

[MintyJones]

Serves no purpose apart from the fact Wolfie has form for casting herself as a dog expert and she isn't

OP, I'd see how this goes when the other dog leaves. If it continues then try the vet. Also consider when you're feeding - as in, timings

[Agentornika]

I agree with Wolfie, it is cruel to leave a dog on its own all day. How would you like it if you didn't have access to basic facilities all day, no company, no exercise?

In this day and age it's unnecessary, if she has to be left then why not get someone in to let her out and take her for walks

[moomin11]

Thanks MintyJones, I have brought her evening feed forward but it didn't seem to help. Might try it even earlier.

[Wolfiefan]

If you can’t see that forcing a dog to hold it for 8 or 9 hours may lead to problems then really you shouldn’t have a dog.

[moomin11]

Ok thanks for that Wolfiefan

[Charlie97]

@Wolfiefan I think you may have just about made your point! No need to keep repeating and labouring it!

@moomin11 I know that this doesn't deal with the issue, she probably could do with a vets visit but to contain the problem until it's rectified could you consider puppy pads?

[Scuzzlet]

Oh my god Wolfie give it a rest