House-training can be one of the most frustrating and challenging aspects of owning a dog. Every breed has its own pre-determined, though sometimes inaccurate, level of stubbornness, and every dog has its individual personality formed through genetics and the environment.
When you put these components together, you have a projected probability of how difficult it will be to house-train your dog. For example, a stubborn, independent puppy will poop in the house longer than a willing-to-please submissive pup.
Of course, it’s crucial to remember that house training, or lack thereof, is not the only reason your dog won’t poop outside and constantly uses your home and its extensions as a place to make a bowel movement. Many factors could play into the situation, and before making rash judgments or becoming so frustrated that we give up, we must consider all of them.
Why does my dog not poop outside?
Different circumstances surround every condition involving a dog that refuses to poop outside. While no situation is the same, it’s typical for the behavior to grow from the same seeds.
Poor house training methods
Whether you’ve brought home a new puppy or taken in a rescue dog, it’s vital to go about house training with the proper methods, including consistency and positive reinforcement. If your plan lacks persistence, your pup will become easily confused about where they should go and when.
There is a plethora of great information about how to quickly and easily house train a dog or puppy of any age. From blog posts and training manuals to ebooks and YouTube videos, the options are endless. So, if your dog keeps pooping in your home, free resources are a great place to start as you begin to unravel the problem.
You’ve got a new puppy
Puppies have no clue where to go to the bathroom unless we show them. It’s an instinct for them to go where they’ve already gone, so if they’ve gone in the house once, they’ll do it again! The key is to gently and consistently show them where to go, take them out every hour or so, and praise them when they go in the yard.
It won’t be long before they’re asking to go out on their own, though it will be some time before they can physically hold it for longer than a few hours. So stay patient, and know that your puppy won’t avoid pooping outside forever!
You’ve just adopted a dog
Have you just adopted a dog that is having trouble remembering where they’re supposed to poop? You want them to go outside, but much to your dismay, they keep pooping on the carpet.
No worries. House training regression is widespread in mature rescue and shelter dogs. They may be having issues with settling in as their schedule and environment change, or it could be that they’ve forgotten a few of the rules. It may have been a while since they’ve lived in an actual home, so try not to run out of patience.
Show them grace. They will learn the rules faster than you think!
Your dog is marking his territory
Your dog could be attempting to mark his territory when he goes to the bathroom inside instead of out. He may urinate inside if this is the case, and it’s crucial to get ahead of the behavior before it takes root.
Contact your vet to ensure that there isn’t anything going on with your dog medically that might be causing him to poop inside, and then get in touch with a reputable trainer to help you resolve the issue! Territory marking in the yard is just fine, but inside the home is a big problem.
Something medical is going on
If your pup is pooping inside, they might have a medical issue afoot. Before you get too upset with him for going inside, make sure that there isn’t something causing it other than acting out or improper house training methods.
Visiting the vet will not only put your mind at ease, but it will point you in the right direction concerning the next steps you should take to correct the behavior. Never disregard that your dog might be trying to tell you something by refusing to poop outside.
Your dog is nervous or anxious
While this is common among rescue pups, it’s not unthinkable that your dog may have had a scary experience in your yard (a loud noise, neighbors were arguing, a wild animal encounter) that affects their willingness to poop outside. Assess the situation thoroughly, asking yourself if the behavior has been a long-term issue or if it came on suddenly.
Why does my dog refuse to poop outside?
Lackluster training, nervousness, space-marking, and medical issues are not the only reasons that your dog refuses to poop outside. As simple and silly as it may sound, many dogs have a problem with the feeling of grass or concrete. They just don’t like it, and it’s up to you to figure out how to work around it!
If you’ve got a dog that hates squishy grass and the hot pavement beneath his paws, you might try setting up artificial turf for him to go on or even buy him a pair of doggy shoes! Of course, both of these solutions will take time and training to acclimate to, but they could very well solve your indoor pooping problem.
Remember to consider the weather as well. Not all dogs enjoy every type of weather. For example, some dogs hate the heat, while others love it, and some love to frolic in the snow, while their counterparts despise the cold. They all have their preferences, so it’s essential to figure out which personality and environmental components contribute to the refusal to poop outside.
How to get my dog to poop outside?
No matter the age, breed, or size of your pup, consistent training and encouragement will teach them to go poop outside. However, working alongside your veterinarian and a professional trainer will ensure that you take the correct path in eradicating the issue if the behavior has taken root.
It would help wait until a few hours after your dog has eaten and to go outside with your dog and to wait for them to poop. It might take a while. But, as soon as they do poop, you would reward the behavior. Doing this should teach your dog that pooping outside is rewarded. You might find that getting your dog to do things such as exercise outside will help because it can help get dog’s bowls moving.
It would also help to try to take your dog outside immediately as soon as they start pooping inside. Doing so should help to teach your dog that they are supposed to poop outside.
Why is my dog suddenly pooping inside?
If your dog has always been a rule-follower, it might take you by surprise when he suddenly starts pooping inside. Of course, this behavior could be an instance of acting out for some reason, but in most cases, you’ll want to see the vet right away.
No matter your pup’s age, a dog that suddenly starts pooping inside likely can’t hold it, and the reasons behind that are medical. Before you go on a long and stressful internet search, remember that your vet will provide you with the answers you need.
How long should I wait for my puppy to poop?
Nobody likes pooping under pressure, puppies included! If your pup has just had a long drink and a hearty meal, you should wait anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to take him outside. However, once you’re out there, make sure you give him ample time to use the bathroom.
Puppies have a relatively quick digestive system, so it doesn’t take long for their food to pass through them. It will typically take around 10 to 20 minutes for your pup to poop, and if he doesn’t commit to going, try throwing a ball or walking him around to get things moving!