There is a common house training problem that readers of my website and clients ask me about.  I hear the problem with both puppies and adult dogs.  The problem is this: The owner takes the dog outside to go to the bathroom.  The puppy doesn’t go.  The owner brings the dog back inside.  Shortly thereafter the dog goes to the bathroom in the house.  This happens over and over and soon the dog holds it so that he can get a chance to go to the bathroom inside.

Owners are at a loss as to why this happens.  Dogs are creatures of habit so if this behavior is allowed to happen a few times it is likely that it will continue to happen.  It is important to not allow it to happen in the first place.  Here is how to fix the problem:

1- Make sure your dog goes to the bathroom outside.  If that requires extra time, wake up earlier.  Take your dog for a walk.  Often the movement will stimulate a bowel movement.  Encourage your dog to go and praise him heavily when he does.

2- If you KNOW your dog is going to go to the bathroom in the house, don’t let him out of your sight!!  Sorry for yelling.  I just get a little frustrated sometimes when someone tells me that something happens every day and yet every day they continually let the dog have freedom in the house.  With that freedom the dog takes bathroom liberties and the owner, every day, gets frustrated.

Why would you ever consider letting your dog wander into the next room if you KNOW he is going to drop a poop right there on your floor?  Keep the dog with you.  If that requires a leash use it.  If that requires a bit more crate work, so be it.  Whatever it takes the name of the game is PREVENTION.  Prevent the problem from surfacing for long enough and you will almost always change a behavior.

Good luck with your house training efforts.