Older Dog Pooping in House with Puppy

[imported_Aggie1972]

I brought a new puppy home almost two weeks ago. The older dog was a little put off by it, but not aggressive.. Good news, the older dog is finally starting to warm up slightly to the situation. In fact, they played for 15 minutes last night until both of their tongues were hanging out. However, this morning, BOTH of them pooped in the house. It was raining out and could barely get them to go pee. This is the second time since I brought the puppy home that the older dog has pooped in the house....and she's NEVER done it before. I understand the puppy has some learning to do, but I don't know how to stop this in the older one. I don't know if it is stress related or if they really didn't want to get their paws wet, but it's unacceptable.

If it is stress related, should I talk to the vet about anxiolytics?

Any thoughts?

[Laura Redhawk]

Any time we make a fairly big change in life's routines, it has the possibility of causing some upset with our companion animals, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Birds...all animals prefer that life have a predictable and even flow unhampered by CHANGE.

Change causes Stress and Stress often causes behaviors that seem out of character for our dogs. No need to start giving your older dog medications that will cause toxins in her system!

Just read over Potty 101, which will help you not only train the new pup, but also set YOU up to start giving the older girl a fun, happy REFRESHER course in proper potty behaviors.

Treat BOTH dogs the same in training. Be sure you are taking EACH ONE OUT SEPARATELY! You want them each to feel special, to focus on the task at "paw" to listen to your request to go potty and once the dog has you'll make the youngster feel like a champ and the older girl is "queen for a day!" (well for the moment anyway!)

This will set them up for more understanding and if you add inside support by not allowing either of them (during training...until each is doing the behavior correctly in asking to be taken out) to mill about LOOSE in your home...unless you are actively watching them...they will not be able to HAVE anymore accidents, at least the older one, and the baby will be a lot less likely to have them too!

Use Crates, Baby Gates and Tethers (tethering ONLY to an adult who can joyfully respond in getting them OUT for potty when needed, never to furniture).
Wags
Laura