11 Month Old Doodle - Training Relapse?

[SGF]

Hello All,

Looking for some advice. We have an 11 month old goldendoodle who has been fully house-trained since she was a puppy. About 3 weeks ago, we moved from an apartment to a house, where she is no longer in her crate when we're at work (she's now in a laundry room with her bed). We now do a mix of letting her out in the yard and walking her.

Recently, she's been pooping in the house in the mornings, not in the laundry room, but running around super-hyper after she's been outside and then pooping upstairs. We're at a loss for what to do - it's been nearly a month since we moved, so she should be adjusting to our routine a bit better. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

SGF

[Elisha&Linus]

Linus is almost the same age. We've found that we have to make him do ALL of his business in the morning before we come in. If we don't, we end up with poo on the floor. It may take a few more minutes in the morning, but it is worth it!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Yes, I would suggest you go out with her and encourage her to do her business.  If she doesn't right away, either walk around with her or sit down and wait until she calms down enough to do her business.  Then praise her and bring her in.  By going with them, telling them what to do and then praising them when they do, they learn quickly to go at certain times.

Good luck.

 

[Gail and Bailey]

I agree!  I walk my pup as long as it takes for her to do both before we come in.  However...when we had family and their dog staying with us, I had to be sure to stop the dogs during their "wild running in the house" in the morning ... and take her out to poop again!  It seems that the wild hyper running gets them "going" again.  It took a while for me to learn how to "read" her and know when to interupt the play for a quick trip outside to poop again.   

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

Hi SGF--

From what I understand, when pups get to be about a year old, they go through a phase where it seems like they regress and it's as if they've lost a lot of their training.  I think it must be a brain development thing. 

What I would do is let her out in the AM and encourage her to do both.  If (when) she doesn't, I'd put her back in the laundry room, which is her de facto crate, right?  I'd wait about 10 or 15 minutes then take her out again.  I'd do this until she goes poop.  Then I'd praise her (not getting all hyper excited or anything) and then turn her loose in the house.

You may have to do this for a few weeks.  But I would imagine that she'll get squared away soon.  Oh, and I'd make triple sure I really, really, really cleaned up any area where she's pooped and spray it with some Nature's Miracle or some other enzyme treatment.  If she smells it, she's likely to think of that area as a potty spot in the future.

She's adorable BTW...  :-)

[Midge and Gracie]

Hi, We have a two story house and I think since you have moved she is confused and just needs boundaries.  Obviously she has expanded from an apt to a home and that is a little confusing.  You cannot give her full run f the house.  We did that at first and had lots of accidents.  Our dog can only go to our bedroom upstairs and the family room and kitchen area downstairs.  She never has an accident unless we forget to heed her warnings of scratching on the door or ringing the bell.

I find the minute they run around like crazy ( we call them doodle zanies!) she will poop.  Think of it this way, all that energy gets the intestines geared and up and voila!  they go!  I think your dog is just getting used to her new surroundings that's all.  It will all get better in time.