Potty problems after moving to a new house

[jamiegirl]

Didn't think I'd be asking for potty training advice for our 2 year old Jamie but it seems that moving to a new house might've been too big of a change for her.  She's been out of her crate for about 8 months and she's been able to let us know when she needed to go out to potty.  We moved into the new house 6 weeks ago but our problems with her started about 2 weeks ago.  We made sure that she was familiar with the house and the potty spot even before we moved in (the house had some work that needed to be done before we could even move in).  Last week, however, she just started doing her business inside the house without as much of a peep from her.  We noticed that she started doing it in less lived-in areas of the house but lately it seems like she just goes whenever and wherever she pleases. (To say that it has been frustrating is an understatement.)  The weather has been cold and windy but nothing that she hasn't experienced before.

 

Because of this, we went back to confining her to our kitchen when we're away.  When we're home, we still try and confine her to the family room/kitchen area if we can't give her 100% of our attention (which is a lot of the time given that we have 2 kids and a new house).  We have her sit and "talk" or bark before we go out to potty and we give her lots of praises when she does go successfully.

 

Here are my questions, though: is this "normal"?  Has anyone experienced something similar?  I don't know if this is a training issue or a behavior/acting out.  I refuse to think that a dog as smart as her could just lose all her training (and self control) with the change in location.  Could it be that dramatic of a change for her?  If so, why was she okay right after the move and not weeks into it?

 

Sorry but I'm confused, frustrated and also very concerned.  I want her to feel at home with the new house as much as I do my own kids.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Maybe it has nothing to do with the move or house change. I would suggest having her checked for a urinary tract infection.  That type of infection can make it impossible to hold one's urine be it dog or human!  Might be work looking into before making any other changes.

[Leigh & Allie]

I was thinking the same thing. I would definitely look into this.

[Linda and Murphy]

Same here

[jamiegirl]

Thanks for the responses.  I was thinking about this as a possibility, too, however, her "accidents" are her stools.  Her stools are formed per usual (thank goodness! easier to clean); we use the nature's miracle spray after we clean up after her but there isn't just one specific spot that she does it in. I am taking your advice on seeking the vet's opinion to see if there might be anything medical causing it.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

She's ticked off. That is my opinion.  Her routine has changed, she has a new house, etc......

When I moved, Taquito pooped on the floor periodically. He also pooped for abotu 2 weeks when I brought Peri home.  He is TRAINED!  He is 7 years old!  He knew exactly what he was doing.

First, I would take her to the vet (or call). If nothing is medically wrong, I think it will simply pass.  But make sure you praise her outside and re-train her to know that you don't accept poos inside.

[jamiegirl]

LOL.  I believe that this is what the vet alluded to.  (Actually, I think he used the word anxious).  The good thing is that it isn't medical.  We had one good day today so I'm feeling better about our potty re-training.  How long did it take for Taquito to get over it?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

If the Vet says there is no medical reason for this, you may have to through  "housebreaking" training again.  I would keep her with me or crated so that you can watch her at all times for a while.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

You might also  consider adding a bell to a door where she goes out from and training her to hit it so you will know when

she needs to go.  One of our dogs sort of trained herself to use the bell.  It was just hanging on a door handle when I discovered she was using the bell to let me know she needed out.  Guess Pavlov was right!

[sandy b]

I agree, if no medical issues go back to basic potty training. Can you close doors so she doesn't have access to the entire house? Maybe the move has upset her routine and maybe she does want more attention.

[jamiegirl]

We are able to close the doors to the bedrooms so she hasn't pooped in any of them.  What's interesting, though, is that at one point, I thought she did it because she didn't want to bother us to take her outside.  Unfortunately, a doggie door just isn't an option for us so we would've had to stop what we were doing to take her out.  But, who knows with these doods?  They are so smart that I think that there is some kind of logic to their actions; it always seems to be bigger than instinct or training.

[sandy b]

We don't have a doggie door either but use the bell. I would give that a try.