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Original poster

My pets toileting habits are driving me mad

32 replies

Sssshbear · 27/03/2025 22:49

Can anyone please suggest how to resolve this.

In the mornings, I spend 20-30 mins sitting outside so our dog can do his business. Sometimes he's good. Other times, he won't go and instead, waits for me to start work (WFH in an office nook) and then pees and poops in the main living areas. To make matters worse, he likes to eat his poop and he will take pieces onto the couch and make an awful mess. He's been desexed and is 18 months old. Sometimes he'll go a few days with no accidents inside but lately he's out of control. I can forgive this when the back door is shut but most of the time, it's open for him.
I'm at wits end and don't know how to stop this behaviour. Any ideas?

OP posts:
Nomorecoconutboosts · 27/03/2025 23:41

Some dogs are better taken on a very short walk rather than faffing around in the garden.
even 5-10 minutes to stretch their paws and you can then bag up the poo immediately. This suits our small dog who is a bit of a pain trying to eat poo…

Nomorecoconutboosts · 28/03/2025 10:27

Also when your dog does use the garden properly reward him with animated verbal praise and affection maybe a small reward to create a positive association. Any accidents in the house totally ignore as he won’t understand if you do try to tell him off etc.

mondaytosunday · 28/03/2025 13:03

Walk him instead. My dog goes out to the garden first thing for a quick pee then I get dressed and take her for a proper walk. Then I know she’s had her exercise and bladder is empty! I find in the garden she’ll just go once, but on a walk she goes several times.

Onlyvisiting · 28/03/2025 13:05

Sssshbear · 27/03/2025 22:49

Can anyone please suggest how to resolve this.

In the mornings, I spend 20-30 mins sitting outside so our dog can do his business. Sometimes he's good. Other times, he won't go and instead, waits for me to start work (WFH in an office nook) and then pees and poops in the main living areas. To make matters worse, he likes to eat his poop and he will take pieces onto the couch and make an awful mess. He's been desexed and is 18 months old. Sometimes he'll go a few days with no accidents inside but lately he's out of control. I can forgive this when the back door is shut but most of the time, it's open for him.
I'm at wits end and don't know how to stop this behaviour. Any ideas?

Get up and go out for an actual walk. Plenty of dogs don't really like going in their own garden, plus the exercise stimulates the system.
And at 18 months old he must be bored out of his mind with a 20 minute garden potter then you working all day.

Moonshinerso · 28/03/2025 13:08

My dog rarely poops in the garden as she usually does it on a morning walk and usually during her evening walk too.
Do you walk yours in the morning?

Mischance · 28/03/2025 13:09

Just get rid of dog.

amber763 · 28/03/2025 13:10

Agree with above about taking him for an actual walk first thing to stimulate his bowels.

MoanasTummy · 28/03/2025 13:11

Take the dog for a walk in the morning?
I’m not a dog person but I know that dogs do their business on a morning walk.

LandSharksAnonymous · 28/03/2025 13:14

Grow up and be an actual dog owner. Walk your dog or re-home him.

Most dogs do not like to toilet in their own garden...it's frankly disgraceful to have a dog and think 'sitting in my garden for twenty minutes' is adequate for any dog, let alone a young one.

Quite frankly, I think you deserve every piece of shit and piss in your house if you're unwilling - or unable - to either walk your dog adequately or find someone who can.

Mylegishangingoff · 28/03/2025 13:15

At the minute you keep doing the same thing and its not working for your dog. You need to try something different. I find open doors don't work that well when it comes to house training, it can kind of merge inside and out. Like others said try a quick walk. One of mine goes in the garden first thing, the other always waits til our walk. If that doesn't work try something else.

Hoppinggreen · 28/03/2025 13:15

We have a large garden ddog has access to but he likes to poop on his walk
He goes for a week first thing and then gets fed BUT then stares at DH to take him for his walk. Same routine at teatime too
Walk the dog rather than stand there watching him

SpikyCoconut · 28/03/2025 13:16

Agree-my dog will go in the garden if ill/desperate but mainly waits for a walk. 20 mins is ample time for a quick walk around the block or to any green area you have, I sometimes only have time for a 15 minute walk in the morning but it is worth it. Eating poo can be a sign of distress-not fair on your dog in this situation.

Scutterbug · 28/03/2025 13:16

I agree with taking the dog out. I think the walk stimulates them and then they toilet.

Beamur · 28/03/2025 13:17

Walking gets the gut moving.
Go out and don't come back inside until the poop is done.
Neither of the dogs we have had would poo in their own garden.

myplace · 28/03/2025 13:17

Yes, mine will wait til lunchtime if he has to, will use back garden if desperate, but poops on his walk first thing if he has the opportunity.

Unless it’s filthy weather in which case he does the bare minimum patch patrol then pulls for home, pooping later in the hope the weather picks up.

offmynut · 28/03/2025 13:50

Id have to get rid of the dog if it was playing with its own crap on the sofa can only imagine what it must smell like.
I hope you dont let your dog lick you knowing it eats poop.
EDIT to say get rid of the sofa as well.

SnowFrogJelly · 28/03/2025 13:55

Agree I think he needs a walk

Starlight1984 · 28/03/2025 14:04

Why aren't you walking him???

Starlight1984 · 28/03/2025 14:08

Mischance · 28/03/2025 13:09

Just get rid of dog.

I thought this comment was horrible when I first read it but have to say I actually completely agree.

We have two dogs and I have to get up at 7-7.30 to walk them before I start work. Then I take them out again at lunchtime for 45 mins to an hour. Then again after work.

It's a sacrifice and can be soul destroying in bad weather but you took on the responsibility of a dog and if you can't do the bare minimum then yes, you should rehome it.

Bellavida99 · 28/03/2025 14:15

He’s probably eating the poo to hide it because you tell him off or because he’s bored out of his mind. Walk him morning, lunchtime and after work and do bits of training and games at odd times during the day

Original poster
Sssshbear · 28/03/2025 14:19

Wow. I forgot how judgy people are without knowing anything. Thank you to those who suggested I walk him in the morning. I have had dogs my whole life and they've always been happy to use their backyard. It never occurred to me that it might help.
For everyone's information.
I WFH 8 hrs a day. I have 4 teenagers who constantly interact with him throughout the day. He gets a short walk at lunch time and a longer walk in the afternoon. Sometimes this includes a stop at the dog park and bi weekly visits to my mum's where he plays with her dog. He is loved and well cared for.

OP posts:
MoanasTummy · 28/03/2025 14:21

This is the information that should be on the initial post, OP.
Replies would be more helpful then.

Original poster
Sssshbear · 28/03/2025 14:24

MoanasTummy · 28/03/2025 14:21

This is the information that should be on the initial post, OP.
Replies would be more helpful then.

True. I was trying to keep my post short and to the point so as to not create an epic backstory. Lol

OP posts:
GildedRage · 28/03/2025 14:27

Eating poop is not unusual and suggests the current food is too high in protein. There is a med the vet can prescribe that makes the poop less appealing to eat.

Mauro711 · 28/03/2025 15:02

I think it doesn't really matter that your previous dogs were happy to go in the garden, this one isn't, so you should take him out for an actual walk first thing. I had one of each, one that was happy to do his business in the garden and another who didn't so I just took them both out for 15-20 minutes in the morning. Better than having poop on your sofa.