Bathroom Problems

[Sarah]

I just adopted a new dog about a month ago, who recently took to pooping in the house. He goes outside about 4 times a day, where I watch him go to the bathroom and praise him. Then he comes inside and within about 15 minutes poops on my living room rug. I never seem to catch him in the act. It is always when I am on the computer, getting ready for work, doing chores, etc. I am getting fustrated. Please help. How can I curb this behavoir?

[Trish McMillan]

Housetraining issues can be frustrating! Is he just peeing outside or does he poop too?

But for starters this dog would lose access to my living room rug when I'm not watching! Here's what I'd do:

1. Boost the rewards - if he poops outside, give him something absolutely delicious, like cheese, liverwurst, chicken (just a small piece, he looks like a little dog!) If he's pooping outside and you know he does a second poop 15 minutes later, well, run him outside 10 minutes after the first poop, wait and reward!

2. Keep him tethered to you when you're in the house. Run the leash through your belt loop, or at the very least keep him baby-gated in the same room as you so you can catch him in the act and interrupt.

It's really important to be vigilant with un-housetrained dogs. If I have a dog in my house who is not housetrained, they're not out of my sight unless they're in a crate or other safe (easily-mopped) confinement area!

Good luck!

Trish