Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone! Ok so my dog Gamble a 4 and 1/2 month old sheltie spitz, recently required surgery to remove a sock from his intestines. Before you say the obvious I know that it is my fault for not keeping a better eye on him. Anyways back to the issue at hand. Before the surgery Gamble was pretty much house trained and Kennel trained didn't really have any problems with him. Even for two weeks after the surgery everything was fine no accidents or anything. We had the stitches taken out and in turn his cone taken off about a week and a half ago. Every since then he has been pooing in his kennel at night. So I called the vet to see if there was something wrong and the vet told me that there is really nothing medically wrong with Gamble and it is probably something Phscological. Remember he never did this directly after surgery so its not like he doesnt' have the capability to hold his poo! So maybe you guys could give me your two cents on the issue so I can try and correct the problem. Thank you in advance for your advice.

RUSTYBEARD

This can happen when for some reason a dog can't hold it and has to relieve himself in the crate. Then the odor left from it can cause him to keep doing it--plus, it can become a habit.

Clean the crate with a bacterial enzyme odor eliminator product such as Nature's Miracle, to make sure the scent the dog can smell--even when people cannot smell it--will be gone. After doing that, you can deodorize future accidents--when found still fresh--with undiluted clear vinegar. But that will not work once the spot has dried/set.

Keeping the dog someplace different for awhile instead of the crate could help. And you need to take him out to potty at least once during the night. No one can know for sure whether he needs to go or not, even a veterinarian. So give him a chance to do it in the right place.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

thank you very much for the advice. I will have to pick up some of that cleaner which you spoke of. I have been using a vinegar based cleaner so I guess it hasn't completely got rid of the smell. Just so you know we take gamble out at 10:00pm before bed and I get up at 4:00am for work so its only about 6 hours that he has to hold it. But leaving on a good note, Gamble didn't poo in his kennel last night and I slept in so he actually held it for 8 whole hours. YAAAA GAMBLE you go pup. thanks again

RUSTYBEARD