Blog - The Good German Shepherd

Waking up to a ‘poop package’ is the most horrible way to start your morning. It will take you so much energy not to get upset by your dog. You must know the reason why he did it so you can decide the best way to stop it. You can stop your dog from pooping in the house at night by training, putting him in a crate, avoid changing diet instantly, seek medical attention, daily walks, designate a bathroom spot outside, know if he is stressed or depressed, and always clean spoiled area immediately. Let’s discuss the possible reasons why your dog is pooping in the house at night and how you can approach it. Why is My Dog Pooping in the House at Night? Lack of proper training You might think that you have fully trained your dog if he goes for two weeks without an ‘accident’. The fact is that he should go for at least a month without a single accident to be fully qualified as a trained dog. This is common in puppies. Stress and depression Stress and depression can make your dog poop in the house at night. It can be as a result of a change in environment, or the death of a partner or a puppy. You should find the cause of the stress so you can know how to handle it. Health Issue There are a no of health problems that can make your dog poop in the house at night, they include; Viral infectionsInflammatory bowel diseasesFood intolerance or allergiesKidney diseaseBladder stonesDiabetesBowel cancer Joint Problems If you have large dog breeds, you should know that they are at a higher risk of diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia and arthritis. Changing Diet Instantly If you have to introduce a new diet instantly, your dog will have a problem controlling his poop. First, you should mix a little amount of the new food with the previous one and gradually increase it. Aging Just like humans have a hard time controlling their bowel movements, the same applies to dogs. Old dogs are prone to canine Alzheimer’s disease, making them forget everything they have been taught, including potty training. 8 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Pooping in the House at Night Training Dogs vary from one dog to the other on the time they will take to fully train potty. You should not hurry the process or compare him to another dog when timing him. Be patient with him and appreciate with a treat every time he poops in the right place. Put Him in a Crate A dog recognizes a crate as his territory and he cannot spoil it. It is also advisable to place it in your bedroom so you hear his movements as he paces inside wanting to poop. Be Calm after The ‘accident’ It is not right to scold or punish your puppy if any ‘accident’ happens. This can result in your dog eating poop so that you won’t find it in the morning. The best thing to do is take the poop to the designated place and take him with you. Let him inspect it so that he can know where is supposed to do it. If he was pooping in the house to get your attention, he will repeat the same thing when you scold or scream at him. This is because all that your dog wanted was attention, either positive or negative. Seek Medical Assistance Your dog might have a health problem, take him to a vet for a checkup. You should always visit the vet regularly so that he can be screened for the diseases that show their symptoms in their last stages like cancer and liver diseases. Most of those diseases cannot be treated in their last stages. Visit a Behaviorist A behaviorist will help your dog if he is stressed or depressed. He will also advise on how to break any other bad habit that your dog might have. Clean the Spoiled Area Immediately Clean the spoiled area immediately with soap and disinfectant. This is to remove the poop smell completely. Dogs remember with scent, if the spot smells poop, he will do it again in the exact spot. Solution for Aging You will have to cope with it at this stage. It is not your dog’s fault that he cannot ‘do it ‘outside the last thing your dog wants is to upset you. You can use disposable dog diapers to help you reduce the cleaning work. They are available in different sizes and for different breeds. Solution for Changes in Diet If you have adopted or bought a dog from a rescue home or a breeder, you should inquire about the food he was eating so that you can continue with it in your home. After a day or two, slowly introduce your preferred dog meal. Conclusion If you are experiencing ‘night accidents’, it is clear there is something wrong with your dog. Don’t panic or punish him, after all the mess is already done. Don’t scream at your dog no matter the level of his mistake, make him understand his mistakes in a decent way. Don’t rush him when training potty, take him at his own pace. Related Posts: How to clean the mouth of a dog who ate poop? How long can dogs hold their bladder overnight? Why my GSD is losing weight