What should I do? (dog question)

[BeccaB00]

So I have this dog, he's about 4 years old. He was a rescue, but he

was obviously somones pet because he knew sit on command, and

he was potty trained. He's the best dog we've ever had, he's ALWAYS

went to the door when he's gotta 'go' and he used to get to the point where

he would bark at us to let him out. Just recently he started running off, like across

the woods by a neighborhood with my lab and theres a HUGE pack of dogs over that way,

so I havent been letting him outside offleash

and he's been going to the bathroom in the floor. He doesn't even go by the

door anymore to let us know. What would make him do that? I take him out

when I take my border collie out (about every 2 hours or so)

if I let him of leash he'll run off. Now my parents are getting a little bit frusterated with me because

I wont let him go, but I don't want him to get shot, eaten (hes a small-ish dog) or run over.

am I making a mistake by not letting him go? And what would ya'll do about it?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Maybe try a shock collar. Our Golden Retriever would immediately run over to the chicken pens and wouldn't come back. I bought a shock collar and some of those flags. We put the flags up around the yard, and I walked her around beeping the collar. She learned very quickly where her boundaries were. We took the flags down about a month later and she stays in the boundaries.

 

[dewey]

Could new dogs have moved in nearby, causing interest across the woods, and he's now marking territory in the house? If he's fixed he shouldn't have much interest if any new potential lady-loves moved into the area. I like ruling out a medical issue if there's any sudden change in potty habits.

You're doing the responsible thing by keeping him on your property. Can you talk to the neighbors to find out if they've seen him there and if he's made any disturbance, so you'll have info in hand to convince your parents it could be life or death if he runs off. And maybe inform the neighbors that you're trying to keep him home and offer them your phone number to call if they see him.

If there's no medical issues and all is well otherwise, can a line-run or run be made for them to pal around safely while outdoors?

 

[fancy]

Is he neutered?

 

[BeccaB00]

I was actually trieng to save up for a run, or atleast fence in half the yard,

but idk if that will work, cause I wont have enough to build a sterdy one.

(like the big wood ones) it'll have to be the 'cheaper' wire fence....and idk if I'll

be allowed to do that cause everybodys always working. He's had his vet check

up, but ofcoarse i dont think they'd be able to tell anything about potty problems.

But he's only pooping. NEVER pees in the house. So i have no idea

 

[BeccaB00]

Quote:
yes he is neutered.

ETA: so is my black lab

 

[patandchickens]

Is his poo normal consistency, or is it wetter than usual (in which case it might be worth having a fecal run for worms or cocci)

Is it possible he is no longer getting to go outside long enough, or in the places that he "requires", to poop outside, and thus finds himself in the house and unable to hold it any longer? Perhaps it would be worth working on teaching him to poo on cue, also making sure you spend lots of time (when you're out with him) in the areas that he usually uses for that function.

If you are able to keep him leashed to you when he's in the house, you will be able to catch him as he's *about* to poo and rush him outside (hopefully in time) where a) he will be pooing in the right place not indoors and also b) you will be able to work on teaching the cue word.

Best of luck,

Pat

 

[BeccaB00]

Quote:
Nope, normal poo. I take him to his 'favorite' spots as I've observed where he likes to go most.

we took him for his yearly check-up in august and I think the vet done a fecal run. Everything

was fine.

 

[dutchhollow]

Don't turn your dog loose to run, he will eventually get killed. Keep him in the same room with you in the house or crate him when he can't be, never leave him alone (basically go back and re house break him), if he was used to being outside on his own before, he needs to relearn how to control it in the house. A line run (between two tree's or posts in the yard will be cheaper then fencing, but don't leave him unattended, and the radio fences are less then 300 dollars now, and no wire to bury)