[Chewman]

Hi all,

I have a Shih Tzu who just turned 2 on March 11th. He has been with me since he was 4 months old. The training was very simple as he is a SMART dog!! It took a few months, but he eventually had NO accidents in the house.

Recently, going on about 3-4 months now, my sister brought home two kittens. Since that moment, Chewie's behavior went DOWN HILL and fast!! He picked the basement to go pee (maybe since their litterbox is down there??) and has since been spitefully peeing down there, unless we have the door closed. But most of the time we have to keep the door open since the cat's litterbox is kept down there. And, before I forget to mention, the basement is also the way we go out for our walks.

He's been getting better. I've been taking him out VERY frequently (about every 3 hours) and when I am at work we keep him upstairs while the cats are in the basement and guess what!?!?! No accidents.

Well, that's until recently.

He hasn't been going poop for me on our walks!! In the morning I take him out right when we wake up, and normally, he goes poop and pee on this walk. I don't have TOO much time in the morning to take him on a long walk but normally this walk is sufficient enough time for him to do his business.

Well, when he doesn't go I still have to go to work. Then when I get home he's left a present for me in the living room. I take him for a walk before school and he used to go poop on this walk as well but not recently.

Yesterday, for example, I took him out and he didn't go. I called my sister to let her know that I am sorry, and if he doesn't go in the house, take him out for me. Well he didn't go in the house!! But he also didn't go on the walk with my sister! Well when I returned home from school I find a surprise (poop) in the basement.

He didn't go poop AGAIN this morning. I put him in his crate (which I haven't had to do in over 1 year) and went to work for 8am. I went back home at about 9:30am to walk him again and he STILL DIDN'T GO!! So back in the crate he is until I return home at about 4:00.

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH MY DOG??!?!?!?!?!

Nothing has changed in my lifestyle and I have been leaving him home for hours at a time since he was a little puppy.

THANK YOU for any advice on this matter... I was in tears this morning over this!!

Respectfully,
Jennie

[TooneyDogs]

Yes, it's the litter box. Also, he got as close as he could to the potty exit ...the basement. The combination of those 2 things was/is too much. Change your route by going out another door.
You did the right thing by crating him when you're out. He'll need to be supervised again when you're home...a refresher course in housetraining 101.
The other thing that can be happening is your dog is getting older and the metabolism slows down. It can take more time after waking to get everything moving again so, don't rush out right away. You can tell by how active he is when he wakes up if he really needs to go out 1st thing.

[Chewman]

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

Change your route by going out another door.

You don't think that he would start going potty in front of the alternate door??

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

You did the right thing by crating him when you're out.

I sure did!! He didn't go in it, and then went outside on our walk when I got home!! He made me so happy FINALLY!!!

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

The other thing that can be happening is your dog is getting older and the metabolism slows down. It can take more time after waking to get everything moving again so, don't rush out right away. You can tell by how active he is when he wakes up if he really needs to go out 1st thing.

But he's only 2!!!!!

[Elana55]

He is a neutered two and reching physical maturity.

Yes to everything said above and go back to the Crate. I use a crate and it is just the way to do it.

the other thing you can do is get up 1/2 hour earlier so you can get the dog out for awhile. Exercise gets things "moving along" if you know what I mean.

I get up 4:30Am so I can be sure to walk my dog in the AM. We go over a mile every day of the work week, in the dark, in the cold, in the rain, in the snow... Well, you get the picture.

Also, clean up the spots where he went with Nature's mIracle if you haven't already. This is an enzyme cleaner that removes previous odors.

Also, the cat box needs cleaning EVERY day if that is not happening. That can help.

[TooneyDogs]

Originally Posted by Chewman

You don't think that he would start going potty in front of the alternate door??

That's certainly a possibility...dogs will get as close to the potty area as they can...right up to the last barrier/door. But, I assume the new door will not be in the basement close to the liiter box.

But he's only 2!!!!!

He's reached maturity.....everything has changed from puppyhood. You'll see other, subtle metabolism changes as the years go.

[Chewman]

Originally Posted by Elana55

He is a neutered two and reching physical maturity.

Funny, I didn't mention that he was neutered!! But, incidently, you are right! He is neutered

Originally Posted by Elana55

the other thing you can do is get up 1/2 hour earlier so you can get the dog out for awhile.

Oh man, it's hard enough for me to get up at the time that I do!! I absolutely HATE getting up early!!!

Originally Posted by Elana55

Also, clean up the spots where he went with Nature's mIracle if you haven't already.

Oh, I have . . . actually did a clean up this past weekend!! Gotta love Nature's Miracle!
I honestly think he is just used to going down there! I try to keep him from going down there. In fact, last night I put a baby gate between the opening and the rest of the house. It took the cats a little while to realize that they can jump over the top (haha, they were meowing and meowing until they decided to take matters into their own paws).

.

Originally Posted by Elana55

Also, the cat box needs cleaning EVERY day if that is not happening. That can help.

This is being done as well . . . we don't like a stinky basement!!


I have good news; Chewie didn't go potty in his crate and then went potty when we went on our walk!! And more progress this morning, he went potty on our morning walk!!! Mommy is happy =)

Originally Posted by TooneyDogs

You'll see other, subtle metabolism changes as the years go.

If you don't mind me asking, what might these subtle changes be??

[TooneyDogs]

Originally Posted by Chewman

If you don't mind me asking, what might these subtle changes be??

The most common change for dogs (and humans) is weight gain. Suddenly (actually, not so sudden) you might notice your is dog is gaining weight while eating the exact same amount of food that has been given for years without any previous increase in weight.
Metabolism, diet and aging all go hand in hand. Can't walk as far, run as fast, plays less, sleeps more, vision and/or hearing starting to fade.

[Chewman]

I wonder if he'll stop humping the cats anytime soon!!