Having a dog that goes to the bathroom in the house can be very frustrating. Dog owners must understand that potty training a dog can be a long, drawn out process, and just because your dog poops outside once doesn’t mean he/she is potty trained. Stopping a dog from going to the bathroom in the house can take weeks or months, and the key is patience. It is also important to understand why dogs go to the bathroom in the house in the first place.
Why do dogs go to the bathroom in the house?
Dogs are naturally used to being outside
As you are probably well aware, while dogs are domesticated and many breeds prefer to be inside, it is still not natural for them. Dogs are naturally animals that evolved from living outdoors. Thus, being indoors for long periods of time is not natural for them, and it can be hard for them to comprehend that they cannot poop or pee wherever they want.
Improper Punishment
One big reason that dogs go to the bathroom in the house is because the owner does not know how to properly punish the dog when it happens. When a dog goes to the bathroom in the house, it should be a learning experience, and not harsh punishment. You should never yell too loud at your dog, and of course you should never lay a hand or foot on him to enforce a punishment. If your dog goes to the bathroom inside, you should stay in a stern voice one of the following phrases “No!” “Bad Dog” “Outside!” You should then take your dog outside to a spot where you would like for him to go to the bathroom. It is important to also reward your dog with a treat when it goes to the bathroom outside.
Anxiety
Another main reason dogs go to the bathroom inside is because they are anxious or stressed. This could be because of another animal human. A common reason a dog will poop in the house when you are gone is because it suffers from separation anxiety. If you are going on vacation and leaving your dog with a dog sitter, it is very important that you maintain the same times for the bathroom, feeding, etc. The dog sitter should also give the dog a lot of attention to help keep its mind off of you.
Illness
There are many illnesses that can cause your dog to go to the bathroom in the house. They can be urinary tract infections, digestion issues, and sometimes infection from fleas. Sometimes a new medication can have a side effect on your dog that will cause it to go to the bathroom in the house.
Old Age
Unfortunately, it is common for older dogs to go to the bathroom in the house. This is because their body becomes weaker and they have a lot less mobility. Thus, they sometimes don’t have the strength to make it outside. If your dog is old and is losing mobility, it is best to keep it’s bed/are close to the door so that he/she doesn’t have to travel as far to get outside.
