How to stop dogs from pooping in the house?

When the morning sunlight filters through the curtains, what greets you is the fresh feces on the carpet or the pungent smell lingering in the corner of the sofa. That sense of frustration and helplessness can instantly overwhelm the anticipation in your heart. For those who keep dogs, the trouble caused by dogs pooping at home is not just a cleaning problem; it's more like a silent "battle" between humans and dogs. However, this "battle" should never exist, because every "mistake" made by the dog hides signals that haven't been understood, and every correction is an opportunity to build deeper trust.

To truly solve the problem of dogs pooping at home, first, we need to be their "interpreters". Dogs don't have the concept of a fixed toilet like humans. Their pooping behavior is influenced by multiple factors such as physiological needs, environmental changes, health conditions, and psychological states. In the puppy stage, due to the incomplete development of bladder and intestinal control abilities, they can't hold their excrement for a long time, just like human babies need to use diapers. So, when they poop at home, it's not intentional mischief. For adult dogs, if they suddenly start pooping at home, it's likely that there's something wrong with their bodies. Urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal diseases, and even some endocrine problems can all cause dogs to lose control over their defecation. When we notice abnormal defecation in dogs, we should take them to a professional pet hospital for a comprehensive examination at the first time to rule out disease factors. This is not only the basis for solving the problem but also a manifestation of being responsible for the dog's health.

In addition to physiological reasons, environmental and psychological factors also play an important role in a dog's defecation behavior. A strange environment can make dogs feel uneasy, and they may mark their territory by pooping, trying to find a sense of security in this unfamiliar space. Changes in the family, such as the addition of new pets or the owner being away from home for a long time, can bring stress to dogs, trigger anxiety, and thus lead to loss of control over defecation. Just as humans may experience gastrointestinal discomfort when they are nervous, emotional fluctuations in dogs can also affect their defecation patterns. When we scold or even physically punish dogs for pooping at home, it will only intensify their anxiety and form a vicious cycle.

After understanding the reasons for dogs pooping at home, the next step is to build a bridge of communication with patience and wisdom. For puppies, from the moment they are brought home, we need to establish a regular life rhythm. Feed them regularly every day, and reasonably arrange the number of feedings and the amount of food according to their age and breed. Generally, puppies need to eat small meals frequently, and the number of feedings gradually decreases as they grow older. Within 15 to 30 minutes after each feeding, it's the period when they are most likely to need to defecate. At this time, we should take them to a designated outdoor area or a fixed defecation place at home in a timely manner. We can choose a quiet and relatively fixed corner and lay a pet-specific pee pad. Some attractant can be sprayed on the pee pad to help the dog get familiar with and accept this place more quickly. When the dog defecates in the right place, we should immediately give enthusiastic praise and delicious snacks as rewards, so that they can associate the correct behavior with positive experiences. This process may need to be repeated several times before the dog truly remembers.

For adult dogs that poop at home due to environmental or psychological factors, giving them enough security is the key. When there are new changes at home, such as moving or welcoming new pets, we should prepare familiar items for the dog in advance, such as its bed, toys, and commonly used food bowls, so that it can find a familiar smell in the new environment. Increase the interaction time with the dog. Through playing, training, and other means, we can enhance the trust between us. Ensure sufficient outdoor activities every day. This can not only meet the dog's exercise needs but also allow them to release stress in the natural environment and develop the habit of defecating outdoors. If the dog poops at home due to separation anxiety, the owner can gradually train it to adapt to being alone. Start by leaving for a short time, such as coming back home after leaving for 5 minutes and giving rewards, and then gradually extend the time of leaving, so that the dog understands that the owner will come back after leaving and doesn't need to be overly anxious.

During the process of correcting a dog's defecation behavior, the cleaning work cannot be ignored. Once we find that the dog has pooped at home, we should clean it up in a timely manner and use a special pet deodorizing cleaner to completely eliminate the remaining smell. Dogs have a very sensitive sense of smell, and even a faint smell that humans can hardly detect may guide them to poop in the same place again.

Solving the problem of dogs pooping at home is never a one-sided "transformation"; it's a two-way journey full of warmth. When we squat down and understand their needs from the dog's perspective, and guide them with love and scientific methods, those "accidents" that once made us collapse will eventually become little episodes in our memories. Every time a dog poops in the right place, it's a signal of trust it sends to the owner; every patient guidance is the owner's commitment to this bond of life. Let's replace blame with understanding and punishment with guidance. In this "communication journey" with dogs, we can gain a deeper emotional connection and jointly create a harmonious and warm home.