I am absolutely at my wits end with my dogs shitting in the house.

Gozdilla · 2023-12-22T09:49:30+00:00

Have 3 dogs. 2 over 5 and one puppy (9 months) who we did not intend to get but was more dumped on us at 10 weeks. But we love her. We moved house 6 months ago, pup was still having accidents. Dogs didn't want to poop outside as it was all flags. So we took up 3mx3m of flags and put grass down. They were much happier at going outside. But every night I'm coming down to shit. The older dogs are doing it and I'm pretty sure the puppy is EATING it. As last night a chunk had been taken onto my fucking couch and her breath stunk of shit. They get fed at 5pm. They go out for shits at night but they're still doing it inside. My husband is on the verge of losing it. Every morning the first thing we smell as we come downstairs is shit. I'm sick to fucking death of it and I don't know what to do Please help me :(

RandomMess · 22/12/2023 09:54

Compulsory evening walk?

Change feeding times?

Lots of training and high value praise for pee/poop on command outside?

Pinkpinkplonk · 22/12/2023 09:54

Try feeding them much earlier, then taking them out for a big walk, so the poo properly before bed.
Sounds like the move and a new puppy has stressed them out and upset their routine.
You could try not feeding them for 24 hrs ( dogs are fine with this!) to reset them

crumblingschools · 22/12/2023 09:56

Can you separate pup from the older dogs at night so no midnight snacks 💩🤢

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 22/12/2023 09:56

Crate them, for a while at least? Even if just the puppy that would stop the eating it. If you don't want to crate could you at least barrier them in away from the couch?

if this is new behaviour in the older dogs you might need to see a vet. Is the poo normal consistency?

Baldieheid · 22/12/2023 10:11

What's the feeding and walking routine? Has it changed?

BoobyDazzler · 22/12/2023 10:15

My dog doesn’t like pooing in the garden so has an evening walk. Maybe try taking yours out last thing.

margotrose · 22/12/2023 10:22

Do you supervise them in the garden, or do you just let them out and assume they're going to the toilet?

Were the older dogs properly trained before you got the puppy and moved house?

Is the 5pm meal their only meal or do they get fed at other times?

Are any of the dogs crate trained? Can you confine them to an area of the house with hard floors so that if they do have accidents, it's easier to clean up?

It's hard to give advice if you don't know who's actually doing the pooing and at what time - so maybe put a camera up so you can see what's going on and when?

Quitelikeit · 22/12/2023 10:24

Some dogs prefer to poop on walks.

so either crate/feed at lunch/walk at 5/6pm

Withanattitudelikethat · 22/12/2023 10:25

I have one like that and it's just horrible - 3 must be a nightmare - but I think I've finally cracked it.
Because the grass is wet you see, and also it's cold and sometime even windy outside, he found it much more convenient to poo somewhere inside the house.
I did this:
1/ Actually push him/made him go outside (Good boy! Outside! Do your business)
2/ Wait for business then praise (same words)
3/ Back inside, same words of praise together with a smidgen of peanut butter.
It took him maybe 1 day to get it, 3 days to assimilate the cost analysis of getting negative attention for accidents inside (what's this? I don't like it. No!) versus praise and treat for business outside.
I also pettily played him up to his brother the good boy who does the right thing every time.
It's tedious and intense, time consuming, you have to be constantly monitoring/encouraging, doing this for however long it takes, but it's worth the investment. It took about one week to really engrain the behaviour.
Now he asks to go outside!
Sometimes he forgets about the treat.
Maybe day 3 I didn't have to go outside as well. But the trust is gone for me 😂and I know he'll slip back if I stop reinforcing and praising/rewarding.
Obviously with 3 it's going to be a big job and everyone in the house should help, all doing exactly the same thing. Good luck!

WaitingForMojo · 22/12/2023 10:26

Crate them at night.

vivisector · 22/12/2023 10:34

My 4 year old lab who is fully house trained will poo in the house occasionally especially if she didn't get a decent walk the day before. She knows not to and it's incredibly frustrating. My spaniel on the other hand is brilliant and has never pooed indoors from being a puppy, even when he's desperate. Lab is head strong and doesn't care!!

Crating will help as will an evening walk and plenty of exercise. Give them time to adjust to the move and reward them when they poo outside should hopefully sort the issue out.

margotrose · 22/12/2023 10:48

negative attention for accidents inside (what's this? I don't like it. No!) versus praise and treat for business outside.

Please don't tell your dog off for toileting inside the house.

Unless your dog has a medical or age-related reason for having accidents, the reason they're toileting inside is because they haven't been trained not to. That's not their fault.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 22/12/2023 10:53

Crates may well help.
Dont tell them off, or some downstairs and start raging about it. They’ll just hide from you to do it, which might explain why they are going at night

autienotnaughty · 22/12/2023 10:58

Crate the pup at night

Continue training the pup regular let outside (like every hour in day)

At least two walks a day for older dogs.

Plenty of let outs in a evening do a quick walk round block if needed

Feed at breakfast and lunch

What time is bedtime? Our lab is fine 10-6 but maybe you need to do an early let out?

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 22/12/2023 11:01

This is why dogs are fucking disgusting, and why people dislike them / don't want them in cafes etc. Take the anthropomorphism out of it and they're fucking repulsive animals.

This is in active before the fur baby crowd arrive.

BoobyDazzler · 22/12/2023 11:16

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 22/12/2023 11:01

This is why dogs are fucking disgusting, and why people dislike them / don't want them in cafes etc. Take the anthropomorphism out of it and they're fucking repulsive animals.

This is in active before the fur baby crowd arrive.

🥱

hitherandhither · 22/12/2023 11:17

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 22/12/2023 11:01

This is why dogs are fucking disgusting, and why people dislike them / don't want them in cafes etc. Take the anthropomorphism out of it and they're fucking repulsive animals.

This is in active before the fur baby crowd arrive.

This in 'The doghouse' but is an active thread, that's why its 'Active'.

The OP is asking for help. Whilst it's OK to not like dogs, I'm not sure what part of your post is helpful to the OP.

Why not start your own post instead?

margotrose · 22/12/2023 11:18

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 22/12/2023 11:01

This is why dogs are fucking disgusting, and why people dislike them / don't want them in cafes etc. Take the anthropomorphism out of it and they're fucking repulsive animals.

This is in active before the fur baby crowd arrive.

What a helpful contribution!

HappiestSleeping · 22/12/2023 11:19

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 22/12/2023 11:01

This is why dogs are fucking disgusting, and why people dislike them / don't want them in cafes etc. Take the anthropomorphism out of it and they're fucking repulsive animals.

This is in active before the fur baby crowd arrive.

Lots of threads are in the 'active' section, but it's probably a good idea to check the board they're posted to before commenting in order to avoid subjects you know you dislike. If you don't like dogs, that is entirely your prerogative, but there's no need to post to a dog board where you will obviously meet resistance to your view.

I don't view my dog with any anthropomorphism, but he's still fabulous, definitely not repulsive.

sofasofa42 · 22/12/2023 11:22

I crated mine at night and stopped immediately. I know some people think it's cruel- I don't know why. She sleeps in her crate during the day and is very happy to be put to bed. She wakes up and goes straight outside for her poo's and wee's. Get three crates or a big one for all of them?

Paperbagsaremine · 22/12/2023 11:23

Withanattitudelikethat · 22/12/2023 10:25

I have one like that and it's just horrible - 3 must be a nightmare - but I think I've finally cracked it.
Because the grass is wet you see, and also it's cold and sometime even windy outside, he found it much more convenient to poo somewhere inside the house.
I did this:
1/ Actually push him/made him go outside (Good boy! Outside! Do your business)
2/ Wait for business then praise (same words)
3/ Back inside, same words of praise together with a smidgen of peanut butter.
It took him maybe 1 day to get it, 3 days to assimilate the cost analysis of getting negative attention for accidents inside (what's this? I don't like it. No!) versus praise and treat for business outside.
I also pettily played him up to his brother the good boy who does the right thing every time.
It's tedious and intense, time consuming, you have to be constantly monitoring/encouraging, doing this for however long it takes, but it's worth the investment. It took about one week to really engrain the behaviour.
Now he asks to go outside!
Sometimes he forgets about the treat.
Maybe day 3 I didn't have to go outside as well. But the trust is gone for me 😂and I know he'll slip back if I stop reinforcing and praising/rewarding.
Obviously with 3 it's going to be a big job and everyone in the house should help, all doing exactly the same thing. Good luck!

Spot in. Just happy happy happy encourage the good behaviour and #mildsadface #disappointment the unwanted.

And yeah, think about earlier feeding and later, longer walks!

It's hell when you're in the middle of it, I've been there, but persistence and the ability to tweak details will get you there. Hang on in.

margotrose · 22/12/2023 11:25

Get three crates or a big one for all of them?

Oof, please don't put three dogs together in a crate. That's a recipe for disaster.

Rocksonabeach · 22/12/2023 11:25

Withanattitudelikethat · 22/12/2023 10:25

I have one like that and it's just horrible - 3 must be a nightmare - but I think I've finally cracked it.
Because the grass is wet you see, and also it's cold and sometime even windy outside, he found it much more convenient to poo somewhere inside the house.
I did this:
1/ Actually push him/made him go outside (Good boy! Outside! Do your business)
2/ Wait for business then praise (same words)
3/ Back inside, same words of praise together with a smidgen of peanut butter.
It took him maybe 1 day to get it, 3 days to assimilate the cost analysis of getting negative attention for accidents inside (what's this? I don't like it. No!) versus praise and treat for business outside.
I also pettily played him up to his brother the good boy who does the right thing every time.
It's tedious and intense, time consuming, you have to be constantly monitoring/encouraging, doing this for however long it takes, but it's worth the investment. It took about one week to really engrain the behaviour.
Now he asks to go outside!
Sometimes he forgets about the treat.
Maybe day 3 I didn't have to go outside as well. But the trust is gone for me 😂and I know he'll slip back if I stop reinforcing and praising/rewarding.
Obviously with 3 it's going to be a big job and everyone in the house should help, all doing exactly the same thing. Good luck!

This mine go out late and they must poop and wee else no biscuit - they will sometimes try to do a pretend cock a leg if it is raining etc and I just go no biscuit you must do wee wee and I get a look but they then do a proper wee 😂they are bright

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 22/12/2023 11:25

I'm watching with interest. Your dogs aren't terriers, are they, OP? My terrier can be walked at midnight, yet by the time I get up at seven she's already weed on the bathmat and generally pooed somewhere. The vet says she's fine, she can go all day without weeing anywhere (unless I just haven't found it yet), there's just something about night time...

hitherandhither · 22/12/2023 11:26

@Gozdilla

What have you tried so far? Vet visit to check health of older dogs? Retraining? Crating? Are you cleaning the area they poop properly?

Some dogs do eat poop, so I would separate pup from older dogs until this is resolved so she doesn't eat the poop the older dogs are doing.

Really important to stay calm - dogs pick up on emotions very easily so if your household is stressed they will also become stressed. You have got a pup, then moved and changed the environment. Dogs don't understand this and may just be reacting to this change. They need help to resolve this not anger and stress.

Equally I know it's bloody hard to deal with if you're knackered and having to deal with it first thing.