We wake up to mess every morning...any tips?

[memphis83]

We have a lab x collie that is 14 months old, was toilet trained very easily, but over the past month we are waking up most mornings to a pile of poo in the kitchen and something destroyed. He never barks to tell us.
Its like is is so worried about needing the toilet he finds something to distract himself and rips it up, its solid so he hasnt got an upset rummy.
We go to bed fter 10 every night and DH wakes for work at 4am so its less than 6 hours, he eats at 5pm, and we take him for a walk about 7pm (he never goes unless in his own garden though) and we let him in the garden for 10 mins before bed, we moved here 4 months ago and he was wary of garden eventhough its walled, we fitted a light outside for him and he hated the snow so really really hated going out then. He does about 3 or 4 poops throughout the day too.
Any ideas what we could do to get him from doing this?

Our dog didn't like going out at our old house in the dark,but he is fine here...so maybe your dog is sensing something, an animal or something. Try going outside with the dog too?
I think if your Pup is having 3 or 4 poops a day that it is eating too much and then can't hold on till morning?
Our dog only goes once or twice in a day!

He hardly eats anything, we feed him a small cup in the morning and one at 5, for his size its only about half what they recommend he eats.
We do go outside with him once it gets darker, thanks for replying!

Memphis, I assume he isn't in a crate? Would it be worth considering that even though he is 14 months? WIth a pup myself I couldn't imagine being without a crate and my pup has slept through the night and not soiled her crate once. Not only does it help the toileting issue but it provides a safe cosy place for the puppy - my pup is in there now out of choice, even though the door is open. I guess the only other suggestion is a trip to the vet to see if all is ok since you say this is a recent development. Hope you sort something out soon.

He was in a crate til 8 months, unlocked but stopped using it totally and started sleeping on the cold floor outside it, we got another bed so he wasnt lying on the floor and took it down a while back as he wasnt interested, his bed is on the corner and quite on its own, he never sits on it unless its bedtime.
Maybe I should get the crate out again and see if he uses it again, im willing to try anything, he looks so sad in the morning and puts his head into the bed as he knows its wrong, really feel for him, vet thinks its due to move but that was months ago.

I would try a crate again. We had a setter who would not last the night until, in desperation, we crated him. Instantly successful and he never messed again, well you wouldn't in a small space would you? Did not have to use it for very long and we were all so much happier!

Thanks for the advice, I will get the crate out tomorrow and give it another go!

I wouldn't get the crate out again because I don't think your problem is based on habit, it's a need.

He obviously doesn't want to poo in the house, you can see it's distressing him, so crating him at this stage I don't think will solve the problem - but he should ask you to get up in the night and let him out.

Your dog is eating very little and pooing an awful lot. How much does he weigh and how much are you feeding him in weight?

What are you feeding him on? And how is his weight? Good, bad, rising, falling? Something in his intake isn't working for him and it needs sorting out. Is he smelly? Is he itchy?

Also, have you given the floor a good going over with diluted biological washing powder to remove any 'poo here' signal smells he'll be able to pick up?

I think it could be a problem with the move too! maybe he still feels insecure about it all?
Have you asked the vet about seeing a behaviorist? as if the vet thinks there is nothing physically wrong with him, maybe they could she some light?

I do think there is something wrong with him pooping 4 times a day tho....

My dog poops 3 to 4 times a day, nothing wrong with that.

I think it is the move.

Would you be able to take him out for a ten minute walk before bed so he can have a good sniff about and then maybe return to your garden for a few minutes, Then maybe gradually cut the walk down to just letting him in the garden?

My Ma and Pa's dog poops 3-4 times a day as he gets too many titbits! He keeps himself empty ready for the next meal!!!lol

I didnt think pooping that much was a problem? my last dog only went once or twice a day but my friends labs poop 4-5 times a day and so do my brother and mums staffies, his weight is fine, just taken him for him jabs and the vet said he is the picture of health, just very nervous.(he suggests its his breed and being quite young still)
Floors are totally cleaned and sprayed with dog deodouriser when he messes, he has burns food and I give him one cup morning and afternoon (size of a mug)
He goes to daycare the one day I work a week and he stayed with them when we went away last month, they are dog behaviourists and I asked his advice, he looked at house and the kitchen diner where he sleeps and said his bed is exposed, its in a quite open area of the room, so I have put it in the corner and given him on of DH's jumpers for comfort and for last few night no mess! I couldnt try the crate as DH has been away and had the garage keys, fingers crossed this works longterm.
Thanks so much for all the replies.

Aw that's such good news!!! So he was just feeling a little insecure x