DS: Why is my adult dog suddenly peeing in the house?
Byand more importantly, how do I stop it?
Nearly 4 year old Australian Shepherd is peeing AND pooping in the house. She is let out often during the day and is not kenneled due to her 2 week old puppies, but is confined to my bedroom. Never had this problem with Piper’s first litter and neither of my bosses/mentors have any idea why she is doing it.
It’s very frustrating, my 4 month old puppy is doing better with pottying outside than Piper! Piper has always been really good about accidents- She was potty trained very early and always lets us know when she has to go out- She has nearly completely stopped letting us know, and Piper has always been very good about holding it for several hours, however she has the luxury currently to go outside as she pleases, yet she chooses not to!
I have been cleaning up her messes promptly and we have a brand new steam-mop that I clean with.
As far as corrections, I’ve tried ignoring it and just cleaning the mess up, and more recently have been correcting her for it, but no improvement there either.
I am at a loss and I want it to stop. I can’t kennel her and start over until her puppies are weaned, does that mean I and my floorboards have to suffer? 
Helpful answers with tips or suggestions are quite welcome!
Its not about her not wanting to leave the puppies, She has to problem trying to sneak into the car to go for a ride or sleeping outside the whelping box for a break 
7 Comments
August 6th, 2011 at 3:48 AM
She could have something like wrong with her health wise. Like she won’t be able to hold it in or something. Take her to the vet to get checked.
Good luck!
August 6th, 2011 at 4:47 AM
You should try re-teaching her again. She might recognize what to do then she wont do it again. You should start now though because if you dont, it will take longer for her to be fully potty trained. I suggest you don’t ignore the mess, possibly when she does a poopy on the floor, you should scold her a little bit and take her poo outside or in the bin, and take her outside too. If she goes outside to pee, give her a treat and then she will be more familiar with what to do. Hope this helps?
August 6th, 2011 at 5:31 AM
Get the vet to check her for a UTI.
August 6th, 2011 at 5:44 AM
Couple things: It could be a disease process occurring. Is it normal poop or diarrhea poop? Could be something from the pup.
Also could be due to the stress from the new puppies. Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Try starting over with potty training and/or increase the frequency of taking her out. Make sure you reward her for going outside and no so much correcting her for going inside.
You can try this and if it doesn’t work, go to the vet for a full work up.
August 6th, 2011 at 5:52 AM
If I had to guess I would say she doesnt want to leave her pups.
August 6th, 2011 at 6:40 AM
she may be afraid of the 4 month old getting to close to the pups and not wanting to leave
I would take her for a walk when she has to go out when she is good praise
if she comes in and messes take her right back outside after a firm no
make sure that the 4 month old pup can’t get in the room with the pups as this may be upsetting her
August 6th, 2011 at 6:48 AM
its the extra food & H20 she needs to consume to support nursing the pups! take her out more often (regardless of if she asks) I was able to provide nursing mom with dog door access and that could work too- unless she tries transporting pups….