I just got a 2 yr old beagle who wasn't housebroken because she was an outdoor dog. We have turned her into an indoor dog and the training is going along well. The problem we're having is poop. She won't poop outside, ever. I go outside with her, let her pee then I wait for a few minutes to see if she'll do anymore then bring her in. Then she will poop inside. It drives me crazy! Sometimes I will have just brought her in then I will find some inside. I can never catch her in the act to discipline her. What can I do?
As a first step (if you haven't already) please read the bonus book on house breaking. It has several valuable pointers that may be of real use in this situation.
YOu have to make sure that she is giving you the signals that she wants to go out. Look for signs such as following you or vocalising. She may so very subtle signs when she needs to go so if you suspect she may need to go take her out.
You will have to buy a quality DOG ODOR neutralizer, which you should be able to find at most good pet stores. Clean your carpets, with the odor neutralizer, in all the known places that you can find where your dog has been .
This will help disguise the scent and you will find it easier to catch your dog preparing to go potty before it has the chance to do so inside. No product can take away the scent 100%, however the weaker the scent is made the better, so buying an odor neutralizer will still be worthwhile.
The next time your dog has an accident inside:
*Growl as your dog is doing it, if you cant catch her as you have said then don't reprimand her if you find it later. You must reprimand her as she is performing the undesirable behavior, because dogs only ever associate your punishment or reward with the very last action they have performed.
*Pick up the waste with a sheet of newspaper.
*Then clean the spot with your odor neutralizer.
*Keep the soiled newspaper, place any solid wastes or the soaked paper outside, or wherever you want their bathroom spot to be. This will give your dog a place it can return to that is marked with its own scent and therefore safe to use as a bathroom. (keep in mind that dogs mark their territory and therefore claim their dominance as they eliminate, if another dog has been where you want your dog to go, your dog will only go there if it is of a dominant disposition and wish to challenge the opposing 'dog'.)
*Take your dog out every hour on the hour (when possible) to that place where you have placed its waste. Introduce the command "Be quick!....Good Dog" as your dog goes and reward it with treats if you wish. This command is handy, as your dog quickly associates your voice command with the act of eliminating.
With her you may have to wait longer for her to toilet. If she doesn't go in a couple of minutes play a game with her outside and then try again. If this doesn't work take her back inside for half an hour and then try again.
The best time to correct her behaviour may be at the weekend when you have a chance to watch her and reprimand her if you catch her.
When she does do the right thing praise her with attention and petting to reinforce the right behaviour.
Good luck with her and please let me know how things go
I found when house training my dog, Blue (who was also a mature dog) it really helped to exercise her vigorously and then take her to a regular spot to do her business.
It also helps to know your dogs cycles, most dogs will want to do their business first thing in the morning when they wake up (most reliable time for training, and least likely to take a long time!). They will also often feel the need to go not long after eating, so about a half hour after her dinner try taking her out, and persevere until she's done something!
If after peeing your dog doesn't poop, try playing with her vigorously outside, or run around with her, it seems the exertion helps the bowels move (just as it does on humans!).
Blue still runs around like a maniac just before pooping, if she is in the backyard!
We can now say "go poopoo" and she will immediately start looking for a place to go, running around while doing so.
Sometimes it took 20 minutes or more to get her to poop, we were determined to wait it out, and perseverance paid off!
Extra tip don't take your dog inside right after it does its business, some dogs will learn that once they've done their business, outside time is over - they actually will hold it to prolong their outside time/walk time!! Allow for some play time (good reward for pooping!) and then take them inside.
