Re: Pooping in house after a Long Walk

In Reply to: Pooping in house after a Long Walk
Category:   House Breaking
Posted by:  Jay Pasternak
Posted on:  May 15, 2003 at 10:28:43

: I have a 7 month old Male JRT I adopted from the local Humane Society. He is well mannered and has a good disposition. I crated him for the first week at night. Now at night he is confined to the kitchen. I work at home and restrict his run of the townhouse.( not allowed upstairs) He does not have accidents at night or when I leave him alone. When I take him for long walks and he urinates and defecates with regularity. However, about half the time he will come back in the house and poop or pee very quickly. Just as I release the leash and he darts off somewhere very fast and does it. Usually it is urinate. This morning he pooped two times very quickly. This was after a 20 minute vigourous walk where he did all his business.

: I don't know if this is relevant. His fecal matter is usually very small, very dark,on the soft side and very odorous. When he pooped this morning it was three times as large, tan colored(near the color of his food) and had no odor and was firm.
: Thanks for your help.
: -Jay

Response:

Dear Jay,

In my opinion, any change in a dog's stool is relevant. I suggest you take a stool sample to your vet to make sure your terrier is not suffering from any parasites.

If he is medically sound, then you should re-evaluate his schedule for feeding and elimination. Walking is great exercise and obviously allows a dog to pee/poop but it need not be the only time he is allowed outside to eliminate...especially if he is not house broken.

That your pup is crate trained is an advantage that you can use to help him learn when and where it is appropriate to eliminate. Please see our FAQ regarding housebreaking (link below) for ideas that you can use for your particular situation.