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Original poster

Please help me with this stupid dog

105 replies

Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:27

Sorry posting for traffic but I’m at the end of my tether. This post is super outing but I don’t care I’m desperate

my mum has gone on holiday and I’m dog sitting. Fine. Her dog is high maintenance, he was originally got as his breed is a classic apartment dog and apparently doesn’t need much exercise. Not this guy.

he won’t eat dog food, has to eat meat, has to be cooked that day won’t eat left overs. I knew this before, so whilst it’s annoying, fine I can deal.
until today. I made chicken last night for him, but he had left over beef, so gave him the chicken today and he’s not eaten it-fine whatever.

but today he’s shitting in the house. The dog is fully toilet trained and been on 3 walks of at least 30 mins each already. He also has access to a garden if he needs it. He’s done is 3 times. I’ve two young children. So I’ve cleaned and vax’d my carpet 3 times today! 3! Aka more than I do in a year! He’s not poorly. Absolutely fine in himself. Not eaten anything off or dodgy.

what can I do? I’m worried about tonight that he’s going to soil in the hall and my 4 year old will tread on it if she goes for a wee in the night.

he can’t be left downstairs alone because he barks and barks and barks if alone.

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 14/07/2023 19:29

He's probably stressed and missing his owner.

Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:30

KateyCuckoo · 14/07/2023 19:29

He's probably stressed and missing his owner.

Should’ve said this is his 5th day and he was fine the first 4.

but what can I do about the soiling?

OP posts:
teachername · 14/07/2023 19:32

He's stressed because it's a change from being at home with his owner, where he's comfortable to being with you and children. He will not understand it's only for a holiday either. Has he ever been apart from her before?

Is there an option if you living at your mum's whilst she's away? (As you say 'my carpet' I'm assuming you don't live with mum?)

Anotherparkingthread · 14/07/2023 19:32

Does the dog not have a crate that he goes in at night?

He's definitely stressed. Do you have things from home? Blankets and the like. Things that smell of his house.

How many more days til the owner is back?

teachername · 14/07/2023 19:34

Dogs can have loose stools frequently for no apparent reason. If he's otherwise alert, wet nose, tail wagging etc I wouldn't worry about it too much. You could always give the vet a call if need be.

Hmmmbetterchangethis · 14/07/2023 19:34

First 3 days or so in a new situation a dog won’t show how they’re really feeling as an act of self-preservation.

He’s likely stressed and picking up on the fact you’re frustrated with him.

If you tell him off for pooing in the house, he’ll be afraid and therefore will hide to poo. He’s being told off for pooing (in his mind) so he won’t do it while you’re outside with him, watching him. He’ll wait until you’re not looking, as he has to go, but understands he can’t do it in your sight. So he will wait for a quiet moment, which is more likely to be indoors than out.

teachername · 14/07/2023 19:35

Do you usually have a good relationship with the dog?

Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:45

The relationship with the dog is fine, and he’s very familiar with the environment he comes with my mother every weekend.

he isn’t crate trained. My mum brought his bed, and toys. He’s spent time away before l, few weeks at a time actually. I wasn’t frustrated with him until he started pooping today. We all find it funny that he’s like the Duracell bunny.

hes more sheepish today because my husband told him off for the pooping. But I think he’s fine. Energy, wagging tail and wet nose. I just don’t know what to do about the pooping

OP posts:
Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:46

teachername · 14/07/2023 19:32

He's stressed because it's a change from being at home with his owner, where he's comfortable to being with you and children. He will not understand it's only for a holiday either. Has he ever been apart from her before?

Is there an option if you living at your mum's whilst she's away? (As you say 'my carpet' I'm assuming you don't live with mum?)

Yes it’s my house my mum and him visit every weekend so he’s very familiar with the house. I just don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
Clymene · 14/07/2023 19:47

Longer walk

KateyCuckoo · 14/07/2023 19:47

Stop telling him off! He's not doing it on purpose!

Clymene · 14/07/2023 19:48

And clearly he has diarrhoea if he's not eaten

Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:49

Clymene · 14/07/2023 19:47

Longer walk

He’s going out for 40 mins a time at least. The only exception would be when it’s hammered it down because he doesn’t like to walk in the rain so was about 30 mins then. And the first walk we tend to do 30 mins because of nursery drop off and work

OP posts:
Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:50

Clymene · 14/07/2023 19:48

And clearly he has diarrhoea if he's not eaten

But it’s not loose? And he’s like that if he doesn’t fancy the meat. If it’s not cooker fresh then and there we won’t eat it. He does the same for my mum too

OP posts:
primoseyellow · 14/07/2023 19:51

If he has been told off for doing a poo he is more likely to wait until no one is around and do it again.

Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:53

KateyCuckoo · 14/07/2023 19:47

Stop telling him off! He's not doing it on purpose!

He been told off once, and by that I mean my husband said no in a stern voice. He’s not getting a rollicking, it was the third time and it was frustrating I did tell DH that it would make it worse

OP posts:
Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:54

primoseyellow · 14/07/2023 19:51

If he has been told off for doing a poo he is more likely to wait until no one is around and do it again.

That was my worry too!

i don’t know what to do about tonight! I’m stressing out.

OP posts:
Clymene · 14/07/2023 19:54

Well you crack then. We all know that telling a dog who shits in the house 'no' in a firm voice totally works 👍

Definitelynotagoodidea · 14/07/2023 19:55

Keep him in your bedroom with the door blocked off so he can’t get out. My old girl would react similarly with any changes in the house but she would only poo out of sight and hated doing it anywhere near her bed. If he’s going because of anxiety this may help him feel a little safer being with you and if it’s his stomach, he will alert you to let him out (hopefully!)

KateyCuckoo · 14/07/2023 19:55

So you've asked for help, dog owners with experience have given it, but every answer you've argued with and you know better?

So what exactly are you asking for help for?

primoseyellow · 14/07/2023 19:56

@Goshdarndog can you put any covers down on your carpets? Even towels? It is annoying, our 11 month is not 100% toilet trained, but we don't have carpets so it doesn't bother me. I know she will get there in the end.

Issuefroth · 14/07/2023 19:57

He may settle down again. If he is distressed tomorrow ring the vet practice and see if a behaviour nurse can offer any advice.

Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 19:58

KateyCuckoo · 14/07/2023 19:55

So you've asked for help, dog owners with experience have given it, but every answer you've argued with and you know better?

So what exactly are you asking for help for?

Why are you getting arsey?

ive said he’s not got a loose tum and explained that him not eating is just his character when he doesn’t like the meat and has been here before and has his home comforts.

i don’t recall any tips just saying why he’s doing it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goshdarndog · 14/07/2023 20:00

Clymene · 14/07/2023 19:54

Well you crack then. We all know that telling a dog who shits in the house 'no' in a firm voice totally works 👍

Why so aggy? I didn’t say my husband had a magic method I just explained he said no to him sharply and I’m worried it will have made it worse

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 14/07/2023 20:01

How often do you take him out to go to the toilet in between walks?
Do you know to watch for the signs of him needing to go? (circling, sniffing and squatting are the key ones).
Are you cleaning up the accidents with a proper pet enzyme solution?

Your DH needs to stop telling him off for toileting indoors - even a firm "no" is enough to encourage them to go off and toilet in "secret".

Lots of opportunities to go outside, lots of praise when he gets it right and ignore it when he gets it wrong (and clean it up properly).