Why is dog pooing in garage?

[rainbowsandsausages]

How can we stop dog from pooing in
the garage? Dog sleeps in utility area with the cats of a night time. Utility area is attached to garage, so there is a pet flap from utility to the garage and then another flap from garage into the garden. Every morning we get up and the dog has shit in the garage?! How do we stop this? The dog goes out in the day time and poos in the garden.....

Both my cockers don't smell but we once had to feed them rubbish food and they started to smell then 🤢

Try a grain free food - less crap goes in the mess comes out.

You haven’t answered any of my questions? Are you leaving your dog in the dark all night and wondering why he won’t go out into the cold dark garden to use the toilet?

You also don’t seem to have a clue why your dog smells awful or seem to have any desire to try to find out!

Personally OP I would:

• restrict his acces to the garage right now

• set an alarm and get up in the night to let him out into the garden so he has someone to escort him. Take him through the garage, the way you want him to go on his own eventually. After a few nights, slowly creep back the time of the alarm later and later until he's spending the whole night alone.

• then open up free access to the garage again and see what he does overnights

Do your cats have a litter tray or go out to the garden for the toilet?

Does dog pee in the garage or only poo?

During the day does he take himself outside or have to be encouraged/reminded to go out?

Do you pick the poo up straight away (in the garden)?

What time do you give his last feed, do you restrict all food after this time?

Does he eat the cat's food?

He smells and it's not farts? Cockers shouldn't stink, is he groomed/ cut? Are his ears getting in his food? Take him for a walk round the block and train him to know that's a toilet trip before bed. Find out why he stinks!!

So many questions but first I think some of you sound like you need to calm down. Maybe I should turn this around and ask why some of you are so stressed? Is there something in your life causing you to be so shouty? It's really not good for you.

The cats are fed the same time as the dog but in separate areas obviously otherwise dog would eat cat food (or try to). They are fed at 7-7.30am and 4.30pm.

Walks after b/fast and dinner. Husband also takes dog into garden before bed for toilet.

I will look into different biscuits but if anyone has any suggestions that would be appreciated.

Dog is bathed every week or so, smells like socks that have been left in bottom of washing basket too long! Maybe we have sensitive noses, I don't know but we struggle with the smell which is why we keep his hair short. Perhaps some people are immune to dog smells.

Dog goes to groomer every 3 months to be hand stripped / groomed. Kept quite short.

There is a sensor outside in garden meaning lights go on with movement.

Oh, cats go outside themselves through the pet flaps so don't need litter trays.

Lights could be disturbing him.
Longer walks? How long is he getting?
Vet check?
Sleep nearby for a couple of nights to see when it’s happening and if he will go out if you’re with him?
Cats using same door? They should be shut in at night and he may feel he can’t share their space (definitely if they’re like my pair!)
He really shouldn’t smell. Most dogs aren’t bathed that often and don’t smell like that.

The smell could be canker.

I would take to the vet for a check up, he may be unwell.

Alternatively, have him in the room with you at night and he can tell you if he needs to go out.

I wouldn't feel inclined to do this as rather than having him wake you up you could end up with shit on the carpet.

Canker is a good suggestion. They are prone to ear issues. I wondered about yeast issue.