Why is my dog pooping in the house? How do I get him to stop?

I posted a few weeks ago about how we were redoing the backyard and he wouldn't go on the leash. Well, he finally started going on the leash but also started going in the house.

I am so frustrated and don't know what to do. I take him out at least 3x a day. He doesn't go every time, he seems to be so stubborn about it.
One time though, I took him out around 2:30, he pooped outside, and then I left the house from about 4:30-6 and he jumped over the baby gate in our den to poop on the carpet. I don't get it. If he had just gone when I took him out, it couldn't have been an emergency.

Then he did it again today. We took him out 2x this morning, he peed but no poop. Then I went out and he did the same thing again in the den.

Is it a separation anxiety thing? He whines and cries and barks whenever I leave the house. I don't usually leave for more than 2 hours at a time.

Should I take him to the vet? I don't know what to do. I can't have him pooping in our house like this constantly.

ETA : This morning, DH took him out, he peed and then pulled back towards the house. DH went outside to do work in the backyard and I was upstairs getting dressed and he pooped in the den AGAIN.
It seems its getting to the point anytime he is left alone for more than a few minutes he does this. What can I do besides crate him whenever we are not near him?
I am going to make a vet appt but I'm really not sure what they are going to be able to do for me.
He NEVER did this while he was able to go in the backyard.

Message edited 4/30/2010 9:22:32 AM.

Re: Why is my dog pooping in the house? How do I get him to stop?

even if he pulls to go back in the house make him stay out til he poops. My dog will pull to go in and then 5 mins later he's dying to go out to poop......make him stay out. It will take patience on your part but he needs to get used to the change.

Re: Why is my dog pooping in the house? How do I get him to stop?

Crate him whenever he's alone, Lauren. Seriously, it works. Once he "gets it" consistently then he can have more freedom in the house.

If you catch him "in the act" in the den tell him "no" and take him out right away. He needs to associate pooping with outside and not with the den.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is.

Re: Why is my dog pooping in the house? How do I get him to stop?

Posted by imthecindyofcindyandkevin

Crate him whenever he's alone, Lauren. Seriously, it works. Once he "gets it" consistently then he can have more freedom in the house.

If you catch him "in the act" in the den tell him "no" and take him out right away. He needs to associate pooping with outside and not with the den.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is.

Re: Why is my dog pooping in the house? How do I get him to stop?

Definitely crate him. Do you have one? We have Maggie's and we never use it, you are more than welcome to it

Re: Why is my dog pooping in the house? How do I get him to stop?

Posted by KateDevine

Definitely crate him. Do you have one? We have Maggie's and we never use it, you are more than welcome to it