advice please?

[Puppy Madness]

I could use some advise. We don't have a dog door, and don't plan on getting one because we have a lot of coyotes and live in an open space area where I don't feel safe letting my doodle out at night. Up until recently holly has always made it through the night, but in the last month she has started pooping on the floor downstairs instead of waking me up to let her out. Holly is about 2 and hasn't ever slept in a crate and I would hate to do that to her now.

Anyways, I have a roommate who is not necessarily a dog person and he is getting very upset that my puppy is pooping on the new carpet. So the advice that I need is 1) how do I get my dog to start waking me up at night to go out if she needs to? and 2) what should I do to get on good terms with my roommate about the issue?

any suggestions would be much appreciated

Thanks

[Lori]

I am just wondering why she is pooping on the floor now? Does she have some tummy troubles? How long has it been going on? Maybe if you let her sleep in your room she would start to wake you up?

[Lori]

What schedule do you have as far as walking her? Does she go out before bed? (Silly question, I'm pretty sure we all take our sweeties out before bed!) Keep the door closed - as for the roommate...have the carpet professionally steam cleaned (or rent one & do it) as a showing of good faith?

If she keeps pooping in the house I would walk her more often & if that doesn't work, maybe get her tummy checked. Hope things improve : )

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

It's a long shot but.....Have you considered trying to train her to use  poochie bells? Hang them on your bedroom door. Also, if she is pooping downstairs, you must keep your bedroom door open? Try closing it so she has to ask to be let out. Just a thought.

As to your roommate... obviously you're trying to resolve it. He should have more patience.

[shelly]

Carla - great minds think alike... I just posted that too! I didn't even ee your comment!  :)

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

:)...doodle minds:)

[shelly]

As long as it is not a health issue... you say it just started.... does she sleep in your room?  Have you tried teaching your dog to ring bells when she needs to go out?  You can hang them on your bedroom door if she sleeps with you or on the door she uses to go potty.This is something they easily learn and can be quite helpful.. although - it may also wake your roommate. What time is her last meal?  Maybe try pushing it earlier.   Do you take her out just before you go to sleep?  Maybe one 'extra' potty break may be needed now before settling down.  Good luck!  Or... you can always get another roommate - JUST KIDDING!  :)

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Oh dear .... could you start taking her in your bedroom and close the door  for a little while until she sorts this out?

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

If she sleeps in your room, you could try closing the door or putting a gate across the entrance to keep her in. Or is there a way you can shut off the area where she likes to poop? You could try gates or some other type of barrier. Like another person suggested, make sure you take her out right before you go to bed. You're probably doing that already but I confess I sometimes forget. Also, you might want to look into getting chewable probiotics in case your dog has an upset stomach. One of my dogs is on medication, so I give her probiotics in the morning to keep her stomach calm.

[Kathy, Harley & Roxie]

it might be that the liquid from first diarrhea episode seeped down into the carpet pad and she now recognizes that area as a potty area.  I know vinigar/water half and half will remove a urine scent (steps to do to remove smell completely), not sure about bowel.

[Becky and Murphy]

I have always kept my dogs in the bedroom....with a gate up at my door.  Murphy sleeps in a crate and lets me know when he needs to go out.  But my other dog does not sleep in a crate...and he always goes to the sliding door (out to deck) and begs to go out whe he needs to in the middle of the night.  The gate at the door really helps....they don't like to "go" too close to where you are.  You might try the gate thing...and not let her roam the house!!  Good luck!

[Barbie]

How much are you feeding her and have you switched from puppy to adult dog food yet? I'm wondering whether she might have too much excess waste and maybe that's why she's pooping more frequently and at odd times.