Dog Pooping on Floor at Night

[NatJ]

I can try, but she doesn’t even tell me she wants to go out during the day. I wouldn’t even know how to begin teaching her!

What I have read, but never tried myself:

Hang a bell on the door.
When you bring the dog to the door to go out, use the dog's paw to ring the bell.
Then immediately open the door and take the dog out.
If the dog rings the bell herself, take her out right away.

I imagine there are quite a few dogs that will learn from teaching like that, and probably some that will not. I don't know about the particular dog you have.

Given what else you have said about the dog, have you tried giving some kind of praise or other reward when she does relieve herself outside? That might make her pay a bit more attention to where she relieves herself (she earns good things, but only outdoors.)

Given the issues you are having, I hesitate to suggest any treat of food. But if this dog is very food-motivated, maybe use a small amount of the normal dog food as a treat for relieving herself outside? That should be less likely to cause trouble, as compared with adding any other kind of food. I'm thinking an amount like one or two little bits of kibble each time, not a large quantity.

 

[Evadig]

What I have read, but never tried myself:

Hang a bell on the door.
When you bring the dog to the door to go out, use the dog's paw to ring the bell.
Then immediately open the door and take the dog out.
If the dog rings the bell herself, take her out right away.

I imagine there are quite a few dogs that will learn from teaching like that, and probably some that will not. I don't know about the particular dog you have.

Given what else you have said about the dog, have you tried giving some kind of praise or other reward when she does reliever herself outside? That might make her pay a bit more attention to where she relieves herself (she earns good things, but only outdoors.)

Given the issues you are having, I hesitate to suggest any treat of food. But if this dog is very food-motivated, maybe use a small amount of the normal dog food as a treat for relieving herself outside? That should be less likely to cause trouble, as compared with adding any other kind of food. I'm thinking an amount like one or two little bits of kibble each time, not a large quantity.

She's not the brightest dog, for sure.

I will try this...maybe just to cement into her brain that it's good to do her business outside.

 

[cassie]

The short answer is simply to crate her at night.

 

[NatJ]

The short answer is simply to crate her at night.

As a solution to poop on the carpet, I agree that crating her every night is definitely a solution, and probably the easiest overall.

Apparently it does not prevent her pooping at night in the house, crated or not, but at least it keeps the poop off the carpet.

I’m enlisting soon, hopefully, so then they’ll have to deal with it. Until then I will just have to pick up after her every two months - if she still has accidents despite not being fed at night.

Since the rest of the family is going to have to deal with the situation, maybe they would like to install a dog door somewhere in the house? Then have this dog sleep by that dog door each night.

If she will take herself out, it will not solve any medical problem she may have, but it will solve the cleanup problem.

Or would it be worth trying a litterbox in the house like is commonly done for cats? I know this is usually not recommended for dogs because everyone wants them to go outside, but if the dog can't or won't wait for outside, a litterbox might help with the cleanup.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I'm not sure a bell is necessary and it could make it worse. I have a nervous dog and I tried teaching her to use a bell, but she was very scared of it because it was loud.

 

[cassie]

As a solution to poop on the carpet, I agree that crating her every night is definitely a solution, and probably the easiest overall.

Apparently it does not prevent her pooping at night in the house, crated or not, but at least it keeps the poop off the carpet.


Since the rest of the family is going to have to deal with the situation, maybe they would like to install a dog door somewhere in the house? Then have this dog sleep by that dog door each night.

If she will take herself out, it will not solve any medical problem she may have, but it will solve the cleanup problem.

Or would it be worth trying a litterbox in the house like is commonly done for cats? I know this is usually not recommended for dogs because everyone wants them to go outside, but if the dog can't or won't wait for outside, a litterbox might help with the cleanup.

There are various indoor potty options for dogs available. Look on amazon.

 

[Evadig]

Thanks everyone for your continued help!

She did it again last night…just a big mushy pile.
I did not feed her last night.

I can’t use the crate right now, even if I wanted to, because my sister’s cat is in it recovering from an injury.

The dog door is not an option, and the vet might be a possibility if I can convince my parents it’s a medical issue.

I will try tying her to my bed so she has to stay on her pillow…maybe that will help, though I seem to remember her doing it anyway. I could be thinking of her puppy days, though.

 

[StinkyAcres]

just a big mushy pile.

Have you tried putting her on a bland boiled chicken and rice diet? I think there is something in her food that her stomach does not agree with.

 

[Evadig]

Have you tried putting her on a bland boiled chicken and rice diet? I think there is something in her food that her stomach does not agree with.

We did, a while back. It didn’t help too much. I wonder if she’s allergic to chicken or rice?

 

[StinkyAcres]

We did, a while back. It didn’t help too much. I wonder if she’s allergic to chicken or rice?

That's too bad. Maybe it's an allergy, maybe not. It's really difficult to find out. Like I said earlier, I also have a dog with chronically soft stool (she also came from a not-so-good breeder who sold her to her first owner when she was less than 8 weeks old ). I tried many different foods but finally gave up on trying to firm up her poop and instead find a food that makes her feel better and more energetic.

But, back to your dog's potty training - I really do think you (and/or your parents) have been too soft with her since she doesn't even let you know when she needs to go. I know she's sensitive, but I think that means you won't have to do much to get the point across.