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387767 tn?1345872027

HELP--Dog is pooping in the house!

I need HELP!  Our new dog, who is 1 yr. old and is supposed to be housetrained, keeps pooping in the house, usually in my dining room ( we blocked off the living room)!  He's great with the urinating outside and he hasn't sprayed or anything, he sleeps in the bed we got him and hardly ever barks, never bites.  But this pooping thing is killing me!  I am used to my cat who always went in his box like an angel.

Connor (dog) loves to walk and go outside and he goes to the back door, and we take him out, but he won't poop outside.  I am with him almost all the time, but I think he did it when I went upstairs for a half hour and hubby wasn't home.  I can't stay with the dog every second!  I thought dogs are trained to wait and hold it, then ask to go out.  We were told by the rescue lady that he was fully trained.  I'm kind of mad.  He was sick yesterday and was throwing up also, but he's better today, eating fine and not throwing up so it can't be that.

I told my husband if he can't train this dog, I don't know if I want to keep him because it's too much work for me with having fibro and bad knees.  I can't constantly walk him either.
13 Responses
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387767 tn?1345872027
Hi, yes we are going to go to classes.  They start in mid-August for beginners.  I want to be able to control Connor because sometimes he jumps on people and licks them and pulls on the leash and I try to say *sit* and *stay* but it's hard.  I would like to learn the correct way to do these things, and also teach him to roll over and fetch a stick and those fun things that dogs do.

But the potty training is going much, much better.  And I went out today for about 2 hrs. and when I came back he was sleeping in his bed in the kitchen (which we had gates so he had to stay there in case of accidents, etc.).  He barks when I leave, but obviously, he settles down.

There is a lot to learn with a dog but I'm trying to take the good advice I've been given and it's working.  Thanks a lot.
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
Hooray!  I'm glad you took him to a vet, and even more glad that things are calming down for you.  It's not easy taking on an animal you know nothing about.  The opportunities for frustration are legion.  LOL!

Every one of my dogs has educated me in some way.  Since every dog is different, they have different needs and issues.  Look on it as a learning experience for both you and Connor.

If you can possibly manage it, you and Connor should give doggie school a try.  Training is more about teaching the owner about dog behavior than training the dog.  It's also a lot of fun - particularly when you see the results.  :-)
Helpful - 0
387767 tn?1345872027
Connor is doing better, and we are learning to handle him.  We got special dry food from the vet and medicine for his runs.  He seems to be happy, he loves the house and the yard.  We got him a lot of stuff and some gates so I can keep a better eye on him.  I take him out a lot, he loves to walk.  It's tough on my knees, but I just find a bench in the park and we sit for a while and rest.  

We fully intend to love and take care of this dog.  I definitely don't want to give him back to that girl because I don't trust her.  My son is coming home from his Asian trip on Saturday, and he can't wait to see Connor!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry about the rough start. Obviously the person you bought Connor from lied to you and didn't care or have the means to take care of him properly. Sounds like Connor needs a lot of TLC. With all of the problems you listed, I can only assume he was neglected in his previous environment. It sounds like Connor has a lot of anxiety. Rightly so, with the shape he came to you in. A lot can be solved with a bath and a dose of Pyrantel and Revolution. My guess is that his skin is irritated from the fleas aka=flea allergy. Also, I'm surprised the vet didn't tell you to feed him broth and rice for a few days and then slowly add in the dog food over a weeks time after the vomiting, etc. calm down and pick a food and KEEP it. constant switching almost guarantees loose stools. I'm wondering if the pooping isn't just territory marking. You need to firmly and gently make it clear where the pooping areas are and are not. Be persistent. It will pay off. Sometimes life blows. People lie. We get screwed over. But that is not Connors fault. Dogs don't come trained, you must train them. Dogs don't know the rules until you tell them. Just like children, they need guidance and rules. Dogs do not trust you immediately, you have to prove yourself. So far in his life people have proven they can't be trusted to treat him well.  This is going to take an investment of not only money, but time and patience. Good luck in your endeavor.
Helpful - 0
549511 tn?1271775930
Try giving him boiled chicken no skin or bones mix it with some plain boiled rice and little bit of natural yoghurt to settle his tummy,but give him a liitle bit at a time.Dont forget no chocolate ,cookies.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I strongly recommend that you take JayBay's advice!
Good luck with him.
Helpful - 0
387767 tn?1345872027
OK--first of all, we are treating the dog very well.  I spent the entire weekend with him because he was sick.  We actually had a family *new baby* party on Saturday, but since Connor was so ill, I told my husband I would stay home with him all day and he should go since it was his side of the family.  And I did that, and I was a nervous wreck all day.  Sunday, same thing.  I only went to Petco to get Connor toys and bones, different foods and other dog things and I took him with me (which was hard).

Today my husband took him to ANOTHER vet because we didn't like the first one, and we certainly were not going to use the vet we used for our cat since I don't like how they treated him and us in his last days.  So we found another vet.  And guess what we found out?  For one thing, he was never neutered.  The rescue girl told us he was neutered and that was supposed to be included in the price.  He also said he was older than 1 yr, maybe 2 yrs.  He has a virus or some stomach problem.  There is a problem with his testicles not being down where they should be.  He has a possible allergy.  He has a lesion on his mouth, they have to test for cancer.  He might have worms, they are testing.  He needs flea treatment.  We have to pay $300 to have the neutering done, and this visit was $100.  The other vet visit was $100.

What I am mad about is that this girl who had the dog, honestly, she did it out of her house.  I am wondering if she really was from a rescue agency.  She lied about the neutering, the worms, his age.  We have put calls into her, no response.  I think SHE wanted to get rid of the dog and make money off of him, not US.  

Believe me, we are well aware of vet bills and don't mind paying, but I think we got misled by this girl.  And, yes, it's hard for me.  Also, yes, it was my husband's idea to get a dog, he always wanted one.  I am still brokenhearted about my cat.  But I am taking good care of the dog, he is sleeping in his bed right by me.  I think he's sweet, and I love and hug and kiss him and brush him and we bathed him too because we thought it might help his itching.

I just want to make it clear I love animals.  We have had 2 cats and we have a huge fish tank in our house.  My husband has had every pet imaginable when he was younger.  I am a birdwatcher, it's a hobby of mine.  I feed birds, squirrels and chipmunks at home.

So please, everyone, don't worry.  I'm a good person and I love all God's creatures.  We really want to keep Connor.  I'm not thinking of giving him up because I DON'T like him, it's because I DO like him, and if he has health issues, I can't watch another animal die, at least not right now.  We will most likely keep Connor, because every day I feel better now when I see him and I'm not as scared since he's starting to respond to me now.  Maybe I will post some pictures soon.

Helpful - 0
488689 tn?1337993158
I would first like to tell you that having the dog for only 3 days and thinking he's going to be completely trained in your home is very unrealistic. I understand that from your having a cat you aren't familiar with a dogs needs, but it's not fair to compare a cat to a dog. A dog is a pack animal, and he needs to feel like he's safe and he belongs before he will be able to feel like your home is his home. The dog could have been fine in someone else's house, but as he's now in a new and strange environment, he needs time, love and patience from you in order for him to start developing a new routine for his housebreaking. In addition to being nervous, the dog could be sick.
The fact that you paid $200.00 for the dog has nothing to do dog himself. It wouldn't matter if you paid a penny or a million dollars for him, and it sounds like you only got the dog because your husband wanted him. The dog will react to any negative feelings you may be having and until you change your attitude towards the dog, you can't expect the dog to behave how you want him too.
I could tell you many housebreaking techniques, but I'm more concerned with the fact that you really sound like you don't want the dog. I don't mean to sound harsh, but after having both cats and dogs, and knowing what it takes to care and protect them it upsets me that your not as concerned with the dogs health as you should be. He needs to be checked by a vet, and if you can't afford vet care after all the bills from the cat then why did you get another pet? All pets need vet care, and it sounds like you loved your cat and did all the right things for it right until the end and I applaud you for that. Now do the right thing for the new member of the family and if you can't then maybe you need to give the dog back to who you got it from. Have you called that person and asked if they will consider helping you pay for a vet visit under the circumstances. If you got the dog from a reputable breeder, they will have no problem working with you. If you got the dog from a shelter, they will also work with you and let you bring the dog in to be seen by their vet. I got a dog from a shelter once that developed a urinary tract infection a few days after I got her home and she was peeing all over my house, but I knew right away this wasn't a housebreaking issue. She was also going outside, and as soon as I saw blood in her urine I called the shelter, told them I wanted the dog but she has the infection from when I adopted her, and they paid for emergency vet care on a weekend. Once you've figured out that the dog is healthy, and decided that you do want to keep him, then there are many websites on housebreaking and general dog care. You can even get all the books you need at the library for free to learn all about dogs.
If you stick it out, I promise you that you'll be rewarded with a wonderful friend who that won't replace you cat, but will be a new and loyal pal that can help heal your heart.
Good luck,
Valerie
Helpful - 0
172023 tn?1334672284
It's also possible that prior homes taught him to eliminate INSIDE the house on newspaper or those housetraining pads.  You never know.  

Young dogs and puppies will usually poop after meals, after playtime, or after sleeping, or after any of these activities.  So if you are trying to teach him what you want, those are the best times to try to train him.

If he's small enough, you can clip his leash to your belt or belt loops in your pants and tether him to you.  This way, he can't wander off and do his business.  You'll instantly see the behavior that immediately preceeds pooping.

As others have said, his tummy may be not feeling well, and he might be unable to hold it right now.

You get what you get, not what you pay for.  A dog can behave perfectly in one household, and not in another.  I dont know what to tell you about the fibro and your knees.  I have a ruptured disc, bulging discs, cancer, and pulmonary hypertension.  I still have to walk the dogs.  That doesn't change.  Actually, getting out in the fresh air often helped me feel somewhat better.  

Hope this works out, but I have an uneasy feeling.  Best of luck.

Peek


Helpful - 0
212161 tn?1599427282
pleas take the time to learn your new baby, hes in  a strang house and has to learn the new rules to, he might be throwing up because hes scared to. love him and show him its ok, put him on a leash and dont let him out sight until he learns where he has to poop. i have a 18 week old and it works out great with her.
Helpful - 0
387767 tn?1345872027
I never had a dog.  My husband wanted the dog and said he would take care of it, but then he leaves the house and I don't know what to do.  My cat just died, and I'm still upset about that.

We asked many questions before we got this dog--we wanted mellow, trained, easy to care for, small, healthy.  We paid $200 and the girl assured us he was healthy, very well behaved.  Since we got him three days ago he has been throwing up, diareeah, sneezing and coughing.  We did take him to the vet who didn't seem concerned about any of this and said he was OK.  He seems like a happy dog and he's adorable and we do like him.  But when you get a young dog and right off the bat he's sick, it's kind of upsetting.  We went through about $10,000 worth of vet bills for our cat over the years, and can't afford that again.

I don't mind accidents sometimes, but there's definitely something wrong.  How can people sell you a dog and say he's healthy and then the dog is immediately sick.  That's what bothers me..............
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
How long have you had this guy to expect such perfect behavior?  Is this your first dog? Did you not think about cleaning up accidents before you went and adopted a furkid? You know what, I'm kinda mad, too. I better leave this one alone!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
82861 tn?1333453911
I know it's frustrating, but try to put yourself in Connor's situation.  Since he's a rescue dog, God only knows how many different places he's been in his life.  He's still beginning to learn the rules of your home.  He may have been housebroken at his last home, but he needs some reinforcement in his new abode.  

The first thing to do is restrict his access until you get the training under control.   At one year of age, he's more than capable of holding it for 6 to 8 hours.  However, he needs to learn where an appropriate elimination place is for him.  Block off the rest of the house so that you (or your husband) can closely watch him.  An ideal time to set him up is right after he eats a meal.  The second you see him sniffing around and start to squat, just say, "NO!" and take him outside to the area you want him to use.  When he eliminates, heap on the praise.

The "don'ts" of housetraining include: don't make a scene and scream and yell at him.  The dog won't understand it and will only become fearful.  He'll know he did something wrong, but he won't know why you're angry.  Don't rub his nose in his waste.  That may make some people feel better, but again, the dog won't learn anything.

As with any training, timing of the correction is everything.  That's why you want to catch him just as he's beginning to let loose and redirect him to an appropriate area.  I know it sounds like a royal pain, and some dogs are more difficult to train than others, but once they learn the lesson they'll never forget it.

One last word.  Since there's no telling where Connor hasbeen, he may have picked up a GI bug or hasn't yet adjusted to his new food.  Since you mentioned vomiting, that makes it even more likely.  He very well may have a physical issue and until it's treated he may not be able to hold his stool.  Can't blame him if he's sick. :-)
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