[mwhitney85]

I just recently adopted a 9-month-old German Shepherd mix. We adopted him from another family who raised him from a 2-month-old puppy. We are working on getting him on a schedule, he eats at 7 am and at 5 pm. We take him out before he eats at 7 am when we wake up, and 30 mins after he eats. At noon, 30 mins after he eats, and again at 9 pm. We take him for walks before 7 am and again at 5:30. He will pee outside but still has accidents inside. He does not poop at all during the day. We give him treats for going outside and never scold him for accidents. Right now, he is pooping right by the backyard door, which is the door we go out to walk him. I clean the area thoroughly, and I’ve even tried putting some of it outside in his “potty area” outside to encourage him to go outside. When we go out he is always on the leash and we stand out there for about 10 minutes (even after walks) before going back outside. Even with all of that, he is still pooping inside in the middle of the night.

 

[JoanneF]

It is possible the other family scolded him, that can make dogs wait for an opportunity to toilet when you are not around. So, treat any toileting in front of you like he won the lottery, make it immediately rain fabulous treats. Timing is important, it has to be immediate to be clear that it's for toileting and not for anything else.

It might be worth looking at feeding times too. You could put some cooked sweetcorn kernels into one of his meals so you can work out the eating to toileting time. Then, whichever meal he is pooing overnight, adjust the time. It would also really help to know what time he is pooing. For example, if it's shortly after bedtime, making the relevant meal two hours earlier might help him toilet before bed. If it's closer to getting up time, make that meal a bit later so he can hold it until a little later.

Another thing - for a little while, you could get up in the night and take him out. Sorry ... but the more outdoor toilets you can get, the sooner he will get the message.

 

[BKayHol2]

Did his previous family leash walk him for pottying? or was he off leash in a fenced yard? Some dogs are a bit 'private' about their pooping. Perhaps you could try putting him on a long line (longer leash) and give him a bit more space while in the yard. Might help?

 

[mwhitney85]

Did his previous family leash walk him for pottying? or was he off leash in a fenced yard? Some dogs are a bit 'private' about their pooping. Perhaps you could try putting him on a long line (longer leash) and give him a bit more space while in the yard. Might help?

No, they lived in a rural area, and stated he wasn't used to being on a leash. I did get an 8 feet leash for when we take him in the yard, I could try something longer.

 

[mwhitney85]

here are some tips:

1. Create a consistent routine for feeding and walking your dog. This will help regulate their digestive system and reduce the likelihood of them needing to go in the middle of the night.
2. Take your dog for a walk before bedtime. This will give them the opportunity to relieve themselves outside and reduce the likelihood of them needing to go in the middle of the night.
3. Limit your dog's water intake before bedtime. This will reduce the chances of them needing to go in the middle of the night.
4. Crate train your dog. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so crate training can help them learn to hold it until morning.
5. Use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage your dog to go outside. Reward them with treats and praise when they go outside, and avoid punishing them for accidents inside.
6. Clean up any accidents thoroughly to remove any lingering scent that may attract your dog to go in the same spot again.

With patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you can train your dog to stop pooping inside in the middle of the night.

I am trying most of this, but I will try crating him at night. Thank you.

 

[CachetheBC]

His behavior may be stress related. Being rehomed is a stressful for any dog, regardless of age, and it can take some time for them to settle in, feel comfortable, safe and 'at home'.

This is a general time line for the settling in process, but some dogs seem to settle in quickly while others may take longer.

 

[mwhitney85]

His behavior may be stress related. Being rehomed is a stressful for any dog, regardless of age, and it can take some time for them to settle in, feel comfortable, safe and 'at home'.

This is a general time line for the settling in process, but some dogs seem to settle in quickly while others may take longer.

View attachment 257090

I am quite aware of this rule, but I was asking for advice on dealing with potty issues in the meantime. Thank you.

 

[ossodiseppia]

In general, dogs don't poop where they sleep. So, I would crate him at night. Most folks, including me, don't like to crate their dogs.

If he's not been crate trained, I would start by feeding him in a crate. Put his food bowl at the opposite end of the door and leave the door open. Do not force him in the crate. If he wants to eat, he will enter the crate. Don't close the door. Between meal times, you can try coaxing him in with treats. You will need to praise him. This is one way of teaching him that good things happen in the crate. Dogs that are crate trained will find their crate to be their safe place.

If coaxing with a treat works, then you can close the door for short periods of time. Don't forget to praise him. It may end up being a slow process, so please try not to get frustrated or upset as he will pick up on your emotions.

If you need help with crate training, please seek out someone in your area that can help you with that.

 

[JoanneF]

We have a good guide to crate training here.

Emma Judson's guide to crate training

The following guide was written by the behaviourist Emma Judson and is shared with her permission. Crate Training - Step By Step Guide to A Distress Free, Force Free Crate Trained Dog or Pup Please sit and read this guide thoroughly before making a start, as it is important that every...

www.dogforum.com

 

[mwhitney85]

In general, dogs don't poop where they sleep. So, I would crate him at night. Most folks, including me, don't like to crate their dogs.

If he's not been crate trained, I would start by feeding him in a crate. Put his food bowl at the opposite end of the door and leave the door open. Do not force him in the crate. If he wants to eat, he will enter the crate. Don't close the door. Between meal times, you can try coaxing him in with treats. You will need to praise him. This is one way of teaching him that good things happen in the crate. Dogs that are crate trained will find their crate to be their safe place.

If coaxing with a treat works, then you can close the door for short periods of time. Don't forget to praise him. It may end up being a slow process, so please try not to get frustrated or upset as he will pick up on your emotions.

If you need help with crate training, please seek out someone in your area that can help you with that.

I am going to try crate training, thank you.

 

[JoanneF]

I am going to try crate training, thank you.

Just bear in mind, a crate can help with toilet training in so far as dogs prefer not to toilet where they sleep. But, it isn't a silver bullet - if he really needs to toilet, he needs to toilet; and he will have no choice but to do it in the crate.