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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog keeps going to the toilet inside at night time

33 replies

Aismixx · 02/04/2023 15:49

My dog keeps going to the toilet inside at night time. We have set up cameras to try and catch him.. but he is so accustomed to doing this by the time we get to him the deed is done.

I am heavily pregnant but we are pretty sure this isn't the cause. His behaviour hasn't changed at all and am pretty fed up at people putting blame onto me as the issue.

We THINK he developed the habit when the weather was bad/cold. We resolved the issue and it started all over again when the snow came back.

He won't go outside to go potty at night time. He is walked twice a day and walking him a third time immediately before bed seems to be the only thing that prevents him going in the house at night. With the baby coming soon we can't continue to do this.. I'm struggling stairs never mind waking a large dog.

He has been to the vet many times for this and he is in perfect health, is wormed, vaccinated, glands done. All the usual suspects. Seems to be just out of pure habit at this point. Have tried blocking of the area he poops on, crating, back to basics potty training etc.

Baby arriving soon and we don't know what else to do if anyone has any suggestions.

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 02/04/2023 15:53

My dog is walked three times a day and goes out for a final wee before bed.

One of you will need to take him out just for 5 minutes or so until he pees before bedtime.

Also worth getting a vet check to me she sure nothing else ISS going on.

And don’t underestimate the effect your pregnancy hormones will be having on him.

Original poster
Aismixx · 02/04/2023 15:56

Has been vet checked multiple times.. nothing ISS going on.

Thanks for the finger point..

OP posts:
Fuctifin0 · 02/04/2023 15:56

How old? Dementia can be a reason for not going out.

Are his walks long enough for him to empty himself out?
I would probably be popping in a walk just before bedtime to see if that helps.

Asummersday · 02/04/2023 16:00

Is it just peeing or pooing indoors too?

Asummersday · 02/04/2023 16:01

So sorry, just re-read its poops too. A behaviourist probably best shout

freckles20 · 02/04/2023 16:05

Hi OP, I'm a dog walker and pet sitter. Every single dog that I have cared for has to pop out last thing at night for a wee, and often a poo as well.

If I've understood your OP correctly then you have found that a late pop out before bed solves the issue but is tough practically.

You have my sympathy wrt struggling to do a late walk but I don't think there is anything wrong with your dog other than that he's not being given the opportunity to relive himself before bed.

Unfortunately some dogs don't like to use their own garden which can be really tricky.

CurlewKate · 02/04/2023 16:09

I thought it was usual to take dogs out for a quick pee/poo before bed?

Spanielsarepainless · 02/04/2023 16:11

I have to take my young dog down the road before bed. I thought it was better than his continuing to poo about 2.00 a.m. I also started him on probiotics and that has helped. No accidents since those began.

Original poster
Aismixx · 02/04/2023 16:13

We work from home so he gets two half hour walks a day. One at lunch time and one after our and his dinner.

At night time he will not cross the door unless it's to be walked for the third time. We can get him out onto the patio if its not raining but he will not 'go'. Seems to hold his business from dinner time onwards.

He uses the garden happily during the day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aismixx · 02/04/2023 16:15

CurlewKate · 02/04/2023 16:09

I thought it was usual to take dogs out for a quick pee/poo before bed?

I let my dog out to the toilet before bed time. My point is he will not go unless it's a proper walk.

And at my size right now it's not always an option to give 20 mins of a walk. Nor will I be fit for it post birthing for at least a week or two.

OP posts:
ClosingTimey · 02/04/2023 16:15

Is it on a carpet?

My dog took to doing this on our upstairs landing carpet. He just seemed to prefer it that to doing it outside, especially when it was cold 💩

We used specialist cleaning products, tried everything but nothing worked.

Eventually we took the carpet up and got hard flooring put in. He hasn’t done it since (downstairs flooring is already wood, luckily!)

Original poster
Aismixx · 02/04/2023 16:18

@ClosingTimey funny he actually got a new back door mat and he does it beside this. Wonder if it's the smell of this.

OP posts:
CurlewKate · 02/04/2023 16:24

@Aismixx Ah, right. I can see why you can't. You say "we" in your opening post. There's your answer!

onirgellep · 02/04/2023 16:24

Maybe I've misunderstood this but why can't your partner take your dog out for a short walk at bedtime - and you do more of the day time walks?

gogohmm · 02/04/2023 16:27

10 mins late night walk is normal, reduce the post dinner wall accordingly if you feel it's too much walking (obviously age and breed dependant). Obviously easy but this should be a job for your partner

mrsfennel · 02/04/2023 16:28

So if you take him out last thing it stops him toileting in the house?

He Is only going to the toilet as he is desperate to go, imagine waking up in the night desperate for a wee and being told you have to wait until the morning.

Roselilly36 · 02/04/2023 16:29

How old is your dog? We had our dog before our family arrived, once they were sleeping through the night, our lovely dog was getting us up, twice a night without fail. We always used to say if it’s not the kids it’s the dog 😂 when they get old they can’t hold it long enough, our dog always used too woof, when he needed to go out.

Stichintime · 02/04/2023 16:30

Sounds like he needs that last walk. If there is 2 of you you should be able to manage. New babies sleep a lot, and you may find you want to get out for a bit.

SheikYerboutiii · 02/04/2023 16:31

Does it not get to go to the bathroom in the morning since you don’t walk until lunch? Or will it use the garden through the day? If so, has it been spooked by something on a nighttime? Do you go into the garden with it?

Original poster
Aismixx · 02/04/2023 16:45

SheikYerboutiii · 02/04/2023 16:31

Does it not get to go to the bathroom in the morning since you don’t walk until lunch? Or will it use the garden through the day? If so, has it been spooked by something on a nighttime? Do you go into the garden with it?

He gets let out first thing and any time he wants out to the garden he taps on the door. It's a good size and he has the run of it to himself and happily does his business there during the day. He's far too lazy for a walk in the mornings.. barely opens his eyes for his morning feed never mind a walk.

Come night time (particularly if raining) unless it's a full blown walk to the usual day time walk poop spots he won't come outside even with us. A walk around the block he won't do any business.

OP posts:
coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 02/04/2023 16:58

You say "we" in your opening post - can't your partner take him before bed?

BlobLobIaw · 02/04/2023 17:01

Get rid. You can't bring a baby up in such unsanitary conditions.

yorkypuds · 02/04/2023 17:05

We've had this with our old girl! Dog wee cleaning spray helps- takes away the toilet smell that makes them think it is okay. Bleach apparently worst thing for it! We've put a nappy on her, she hates weeing in it, so will bark to go out now! (We accept we have to get up once a night for her.)
Retraining, praising for weeing outside like she was a puppy!
Unfortunately they can just get into a habit!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 02/04/2023 17:06

What sort of dog is it? Two half hour walks doesn't really sound like a lot (unless it's a what I call a 'decorative breed'.) Lots of dogs won't go out in the garden anyway. So I'd say that your dog just needs more walking and a late night 'wee' walk, plus, perhaps, letting out during the night a couple of times too.

TeaMeBasil · 02/04/2023 17:14

We see why you can't walk him before bed - is there a reason your partner can't as that sounds like it's what your dog needs?