Why is my dog having accidents and acting anxious after a new baby?

Question

My chiwawa is 7 years old. My mom had a baby about a year ago. Recently she has gone outside then come back inside and tuck her tail in between her legs. A few minutes later she will pee or poop. She has even pooped on my stepdad, whom she is very fond of. Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed

C. Rathjens, DVM · Accepted Answer

Adding a new baby to the house can be very disorienting for dogs. It causes a huge change of routine and priorities. Maybe Leona is walked or played with less than before the baby - this is all very common and somewhat unavoidable. The change in routines is usually quite stressful and can lead to pets becoming more anxious or having trouble with training. It's also possible that Leona is having some sort of medical problem that is causing her to urinate and defecate more. I would recommend trying to walk and play with Leona as much as you reasonably can. Going on a walk on leash is much better than throwing a ball or playing with a toy, in terms of her mental health. Ignore her accidents (if she gets a big reaction to them and that's the only time she gets attention, she could be learning that it's a good way to get attention) and make sure she has many opportunities to go outside. If the problem continues (and lasts more than a few weeks), I would recommend a vet visit for a check up to make sure nothing is wrong medically. Good luck!

Why is my dog having accidents and acting anxious after a new baby?

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