Problem pooch

[category12]

Hi

I recently split up with my partner and there has been a fair amount of change at home, with me changing hours at work and the kids back to school.

This has all unsettled the dog and he's pooping in the house while we're at work/school. When my ex was living with us, he worked shifts that meant one of us was often home and though the dog was left alone at times, not as much or for as long.

So I was wondering what I can do, if my expectations of him to manage not to poop are unrealistic, is it separation anxiety, and what is there to try? We're out of the house for about 7 hours - it's too long?

Yes, it sounds too long to leave him. Does he get out to the toilet before you leave? How long is this after he's been fed? Is there a dog walker locally who could come and take him out?
Separation anxiety would be likely to manifest itself in urinating / destruction although it is not unheard of for dogs to defecate as a result.
My advice would be to see if someone letting him out at lunchtime stops this happening. If it does, you need a dog walker or to go home yourself during the day. If if doesn't, see your vet.

I'm getting up early (6am) to take him out for a walk. (My daughter takes him for another after school.)
I've started feeding him when we get back in the afternoon.
I can't come back during the day, it's not like nipping home for five minutes, it'd take an hour.
How much are dog walkers likely to cost? I'm not exactly rolling in it .

I'm not sure how much you would be charged but locally to us, price range from £8-£12 an hour . Is there a neighbour who could even just let him out during the day? Or your ex??
Or try it on a weekend - go out at your usual time, pop home at lunchtime and let him out then walk him later at the usual time. If there's no accidents then you know that your normal working day is too long for him.

Argh. I could possibly ask my mum to pop in on him, but I already lean on her quite a bit - she does the school run in the morning.

Ideally dogs shouldn't be left for more than 4 hours. I work from home 75% of the time but when I have to go into work the dogs go to a family neighbours. Doggy day care is also an option if your dog likes other dogs.

to family or neighbours

Could your mum take the dog on the school run and then keep him for an hour or 2 before dropping him home .