I've had my dog for 2 years, he usually knows to wait until I take him out to go poop and pee. We just moved into a new apartment 3 weeks ago and since than when I take him out all he will do is pee, he absolutley won't poop. He will wait until I have to go run an errand and leave him alone, than when I get back he will leave me a pile right by the TV. It's always at the TV too so I tried putting a newspaper in that area and guess what, he goes and poops somewhere else. I take him out about 4 times a day and he just won't poop while we are out. There are some times when I stay home 2 days straight and he will actually hold in his poop for 2 days straight waiting for that time for me to leave him alone so he can take a dump in the living room by the TV. I don't know what to do. I feed him usualy in the morning and at night. He does not always eat though, I kind of have to leave the food out and let him eat it when he feels like it. Please, has anyone had a dog do this?
dog purposely waits until I leave the house to poop!
- Thread starter fwed
- Start date
How big is this dog? When I first lived in an apartment and had my first dog, a big fat doberman, he did the same thing.
The dog may not be used to apartment life and is probably confused on how to get outside. My only suggestion would be to put him outside while you leave, but I don't think you can do that in your apartment. Have you tried taking him with you?
The dog may not be used to apartment life and is probably confused on how to get outside. My only suggestion would be to put him outside while you leave, but I don't think you can do that in your apartment. Have you tried taking him with you?
A couple ideas and questions...
I assume you take your dog out on a leash? In your previous house/apt did you also take him out leashed with you, or alone in a backyard? Some dogs do not like to poo while leashed especially if he has been corrected/disciplined for pooping before. Is it possible to use a tie out cable to see if he will actually go without you so close to him?
Have you ever tried crating him when you leave? Use a crate only big enough to turn around and lay down. Blankets also would make it more comfy and possibly reduce the urge to soil his "bed".
A previous tenant could have had a dog that regularly pooed beside the tv. I would suggest you clean the area with "natures miracle" or a similar product. And also any other place he has defecated.
I would also suggest you don't free feed him. Put his food down and in 20 minutes take it away. Don't offer anymore until the next feeding time. When he is hungry he should eat. You can also more readily predict when he needs to poop.
Another idea would be.... take the "poo" from inside your house.... put it outside where you want him to go, the next time you want him to potty let him sniff the poo you put outside. That might give him the incentive to "go".
I assume you take your dog out on a leash? In your previous house/apt did you also take him out leashed with you, or alone in a backyard? Some dogs do not like to poo while leashed especially if he has been corrected/disciplined for pooping before. Is it possible to use a tie out cable to see if he will actually go without you so close to him?
Have you ever tried crating him when you leave? Use a crate only big enough to turn around and lay down. Blankets also would make it more comfy and possibly reduce the urge to soil his "bed".
A previous tenant could have had a dog that regularly pooed beside the tv. I would suggest you clean the area with "natures miracle" or a similar product. And also any other place he has defecated.
I would also suggest you don't free feed him. Put his food down and in 20 minutes take it away. Don't offer anymore until the next feeding time. When he is hungry he should eat. You can also more readily predict when he needs to poop.
Another idea would be.... take the "poo" from inside your house.... put it outside where you want him to go, the next time you want him to potty let him sniff the poo you put outside. That might give him the incentive to "go".
I already know that my dogs need to poop possibly in the morning and/or about 30 minutes after I feed them, which is only once a day.
I don't think your dog is purposely waiting until you leave to poop. He is just smart enough to know there will be no negative corrections when he is alone.
Just to mention this, you should never correct or discipline your dog after you get home if you find a pile. This will only confuse him.
I don't think your dog is purposely waiting until you leave to poop. He is just smart enough to know there will be no negative corrections when he is alone.
Just to mention this, you should never correct or discipline your dog after you get home if you find a pile. This will only confuse him.
