Shih-Tzu with attitude

[StuDapples]

My 3-yr-old male Shih-Tzu has an attitude problem in that he doesn't like being told to do anything. I've always considered this to be slightly amusing and almost endearing but recently he's taken to fouling the kitchen floor at night. The door is usually left open all day and he's shown the garden at bedtime. Can anyone give me a possible reason and solution?

[StuDapples]

Thanks Tartanwizard, but in my question I did mention that this has only started RECENTLY, and as for taking responsibility for him and for taking him to the vet, only in the last couple of weeks I've spent over �200 in having his dew claws surgically removed as they appeared to be giving him some discomfort. The vet also give him a good thorough examination. Certainly I've been unable to walk him recently for obvious reasons but that inability is now at an end.

[froggequene]

does your dog enjoy his walk? It could possibly be a protest against not being taken for one, our dog used to foul the yard in protest if she wasn't taken for a walk a couple of days in a row.

[StuDapples]

Thank you again Tartanwizard and you froggequene. I do take him for walks, but perhaps not as often as I should. With him having only little legs I didn't want to over-tire him, but as you've both come to the same conclusion it's certainly worth trying and I'll take him out more often and see what happens. Thanks again to the both of you.