Dog Started To Poo In House

[jasmin26]

A few of you may remember that I lost one of my GSD's a few weeks ago. My other one seemed a bit quiet after that but otherwise ok. Last week she started to poo in the house when I wasn't in. She isn't doing it ant any other time, just when she is on her own, no matter how long she is left. I could just nip to the shop and when I come back , sure enough, she has dirtied.
Any advice would be gratefully received .
TIA Jasmin.

[woofgang]

It sounds like a stress reaction to me. Has she never experienced being left on her own before? If this is the case then there are two main options (well three if you count shutting her somewhere you don't ming her pooing every time you go out which wouldn't be very nice for her)
The first option would be to teach her to be left alone just as you would a puppy, the second would be to get another dog as a companion but you'd have to be sure to pick the right one.

[jasmin26]

Hi woofgang thanks for taking the time to reply, She was left with Saxon when he was still here but never totally on her own. I don't want to lock her in anywhere as she has never been locked in before , I have thought about another dog to keep her company but I am worried she wouldnt like that either. I am not sure how to go about retraining her now , she is 12 year old, if you had any advice for me at all it would be helpful. Thank you.

[woofgang]

just like a puppy, I am assuming you have a going out routine? you know, be a good girl, I won't be long, give small treat and so on?
If not, then start one so she knows what will happen. Something like a stuffed kong or a safe chew that will keep her entertained when you go out is a good idea too.
So you start off on a day and time when she has had exercise, has emptied and is relaxed and ready to have a nap. Do your going out routine, go out of the front door shut it then turn round and come back in again. Greet your girl calmly and tell her what a good clever girl she is...and that's it for the day. Once she is happy and calm with this then start to leave her a little longer, literally 30 seconds or so building up to a minute, then walk a little way away and so on. keep building slowly always after exercise and when she is ready for a nap and she will get the idea that its no big deal. If she poos or starts to look stressed, give it a day's rest, go back a few stages and start again. Once she has the idea nailed that being left alone is not an issue, you can start to leave her for longer. Always make sure that she has had exercise and a chance to empty first.

[jasmin26]

thank you so much for that, I worry that she is too old to learn now but I am probably not giving her any credit there. I will do exactly as you say starting today and hopefully she will soon learn its not an issue spending some time alone x

[woofgang]

jasmin, you are welcome :-) old dogs can learn new tricks if they are taught carefully!

[woofgang]

another thought...does she stick to you all round the house or is she happy to be on her own in another room (or outside the loo lol) while you are at home? If she isn't then the teaching needs to start there.

[jasmin26]

No she quite happy as long as i am somewhere in the house x

[woofgang]

then it should be fairly easy to teach her its okay when you have gone out....much harder when you start with a dog who won't be left alone at all.

[jasmin26]

Hi Woofgang, have taken all your advice onboard and went out today for an hour, came home and no presents on the floor for me to clean up ! Looks like you can teach an old dog new tricks ! Thank you so much for your help . Jasmin.