Please help! My adult (10 year old) dog is pooping/peeing upstairs in secret. He has never had this habit in the year that we have owned him. What could be causing him to do this and how can I break this growing habit other than sticking him outside? He has access to the backyard through 24/7 doggie doors. Any help would be great!!
2007-07-01 15:30:10 · 8 answers · asked by nickisbox 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
has there been any recent stress that has been added to the dogs life? thus can be reason for the dog to act outside of its character. also it might be having a little trouble with bladder control. try getting it a belly band to help control it's bladder and you can monitor it a little better to make sure the habit does not continue
2007-07-01 15:33:57 · answer #1 · answered by a_denikey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you actually caught him in the act? Are there any other animals in the house that could be doing this? No other dogs, no cats, lizards, etc? Once an animal has relieved itself in a certain spot, then a dog certainly find itself doing the same thing in the same spot.
You might give the floor a good cleaning where he's being going. Use appropriate cleaner. If it's carpet, maybe steam clean it? This may deter him from "re-doing" it there.
Also, at any time, was your dog unable to make it outside for any reason? Maybe the doggie door was blocked, or stuck, or maybe he was unable to get downstairs for some reason, so he just relieved himself upstairs. So, from then on, he started doing it upstairs. Some habits are hard to break.
Is there anything outside that would make him not want to go out there?
I'm not saying these are the reasons, but you might start there. Have you asked your vet? He/She might have an idea or suggestion. Good Luck!
2007-07-01 22:46:10 · answer #2 · answered by Sacrificial 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be one of two things - a traumatic experience involving the doggie door or something else outside or he could be losing control of his bladder / bowels. My guess would be the first if he has got time to go upstairs and hide what he is doing but you should probably take him to the vet for a check up just in case.
2007-07-01 22:41:04 · answer #3 · answered by Vanessa G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog sounds like he is trying to complain about something when he doesn't have a voice to use. When a dog misbehaves on purpose it is because they are mad about something OR they are unsure about their position in the pack (your family).
What has changed in your family life recently? Something seems to have upset the dog and he is trying to complain to you in the only way he knows how.
To understand how a dog thinks you need to remember that they are pack animals and to them the pack is everything. In this case your dog's pack is your family. He is not the leader of it, but he has a position in it and that is the most important thing to him. So if his position or his "job" has been threatened or changed then he has gotten mad about it.
Without more information it will be hard to diagnose your dog's problem, but the problem is that from the dog's point of view something is wrong.
2007-07-01 22:38:41 · answer #4 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be because another has gone there before and it never got cleaned well. Don't forget that even though you can't smell it and think it is clean it may not be. If it is not cleaned right away it can soak in thru the carpet, padding and even into the floor boards. Known from family experience. Maybe remove the carpet and clean well, and then take him out more ofter thru the door and wait till he goes then praise him and bring him in.
2007-07-01 23:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by ourtworotts 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stress, changes, that type of thing will do it to him. Since he's old he might have some bowel problems, take him to the vet. They make doggie diapers for older dogs.
2007-07-01 22:35:23 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would bring him to the vet because he is acting out of character. There may be something medically wrong going on.
2007-07-01 22:35:43 · answer #7 · answered by Kristen K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my dog does that when she is mad, for example we leave her home while we're out.
2007-07-01 22:41:46 · answer #8 · answered by Manouk M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋