Why is my dog refusing to go outside and having accidents indoors?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog won't go out to the toilet and has started to were and poo in the house, why?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 15th, 2016
Maybe he does not want to go out in bad weather. I would actually make him go out with you on a leash as he may have just figured out that he can go inside.... If he shows any other signs of discomfort, vomiting, not eating properly or being lethargic, I would have him examined by your vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 21st, 2018
If there is no diarrhea and he is acting normal otherwise I would more likely to say it is not a medical issue but a behavioral issue from the change. If he does not go outside place him in a kennel for 5-10 minutes and take him back and try again. Do this until he goes and learns. The other option is to get an invisible fence with a collar so he does not need the leash but he can’t roam off
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Our garden had a 7ft wall that recently was blown over. Since then we've had to take our dog out on a leash. Sadly he is now refusing to poop outside and will do the toilet inside. Even right in front of me despite then acting like he knows he's done
If there is no diarrhea and he is acting normal otherwise I would more likely to say it is not a medical issue but a behavioral issue from the change. If he does not go outside place him in a kennel for 5-10 minutes and take him back and try again. Do this until he goes and learns. The other option is to get an invisible fence with a collar so he does not need the leash but he can’t roam off
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I tried some tips for potty training about trying to get my dog to pee in "her spot" outside. I've kept her on a leash when I bring her in because she just lays down outside and refuses to pee. Could it be a medical problem or is my dog just stubbor
Though it is most likely a behavioral problem, I would have her checked by the vet just to be sure. If she refuses to pee, bring her back inside but keep her on the leash. As soon as she starts to circle or sniff (but be watchful, as some dogs do neither!), take her immediately back out, even if she has started to pee. Just give her a sharp "NO!" and go out. Change your tone of voice right away and say encouragingly, "go outside" (or some similar phrase). The trick is not to let her go in the house. Sooner or later she will have to go, and if you are right there with her you can catch her in the act and take her out. You may have to crate her at night to prevent nocturnal mistakes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
We adopted two pups, male littermates a year ago.Trainings was difficult with two at he same time, but the more terrier of the pair has done well with housebreaking. The more poodle one is pretty good except when it's raining. He likes to stand on t
As you have figured out, not all pets learn the same! Make sure you reward Rudi every time her potties outside. Also do not leave him unsupervised in the house as the more accidents he has in the house, the more his brain thinks this is normal behavior. Use a kennel if you are not already doing so. Keep him on a leash in the house and go outside with a leash so that he has to leave the porch. Lastly, if you know he has to potty and he does not go, put him back in the kennel for 30 minutes and then take him out again. If he still does not go, he goes back in the kennel for another 30 minutes. You keep repeating this until he potties outside and then he can be free in the house. Be patient and I hope this helps to give you some ideas! Please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Wondering why my 5 year old American bulldog/pit mix is suddenly pooping and peeing in my house. She did this last year and it took quite a bit of time to get her to use the bathroom outside again. She just started again about 2 weeks ago.
With sudden accidents, it is always best to schedule a vet checkup first to rule out any underlying issues such as infection, GI upset, neurological or muscular issues, etc.
if she checks out healthy, it may be that something has startled or upset her,
especially if this was the same time last year that she had accidents last, causing her to have accidents inside instead of going out. You may need to temporarily revert to a "puppy" style of potty training again, just to get her back into the routine of going outside until she is more comfortable with whatever caused the accidents to start. Using enzymatic cleaners on any accidents can help discourage her from going there again, and making sure to offer some exciting treats and praise when she does go outside may help speed up the process.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My two year old dog has stopped going to toilet in garden. Even if I stand with him every hour he will stand there then come in and wee. When out on daily walk all is normal, it's just the garden that is the problem. Help!
yIts possible that he may have a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or another health issue that has contributed to this becoming a problem.. sometimes their potty habits changing are the first (and sometimes only) sign that something is wrong in their urinary tract. If his health is cleared after a physical exam and labwork (urinalysis and possibly blood work), the we can say this a behavioral issue. If that is the case, it may take some time to re-establish good potty habits. Were there any major changes in the garden or stressors in his life at the time this behavior changed? Any new animals in the house? You might try taking him to a new area to relieve himself... take him on a short walk, etc. You also need to clean the areas where he has peed inside very thoroughly, and if they are carpeted areas they need to be steam cleaned; often the pad also needs to be pulled up and replaced. Once they smell where they've previously gone inside, they recognize that as an ap
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog recently has started to have accidents all over the house everyday but only when someone is in the house.When he is alone he does fine.We take him out a fair amount but nothing helps.What should I do?
I am sorry to hear about your dog! The first step is to have your vet examine him to be sure there isn't a medical reason for this new issue. There are a multitude of issues that can cause urinary accidents, including urinary tract infection, bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. If the vet rules out a medical cause you can discuss if this is an anxiety issue or a loss of potty training. Anxiety is sometimes treated with oral medications. In mild cases a pheremone product like the Adaptil collar or diffuser (available online and at some pet stores or vet offices), thundershirts (also online and at stores), and oral supplements like Composure and Zylkene. You can read more about re-potty training at https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/is_my_male_shih_tzu_being_a_s_when_he_potties_in_the_house/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My 13 year old dane would rather lay down in house and go #2 we need to food bribe him to get up sometimes on his own or with some help How can i stop this
Poor guy. He's very handsome and 13 is an impressive age for a Great Dane. You must take very good care of him. There are two possibilities that jump to mind for me. The first is that he may have enough arthritis and pain that he doesn't want to get up and walk outside. Even if he moves around ok and doesn't limb, and even if he's already on arthritis medications, I would recommend an orthopedic exam with a veterinarian to make sure he doesn't need more. The other possibility is that he's starting to have cognitive dysfunction (aka doggie dementia), which can cause dogs to forget their house-training. Actually, he likely has both things going on. A three thing to throw in there is he could have a true gastrointestinal issue such as parasites, IBD, issues digesting food, etc that is making him uncomfortable or feel increased urgency. So I would recommend starting with a vet visit to check him out for pain and talk to them about cognitive dysfunction. Bring a fecal sample too in case
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my dog constantly use the restroom in his crate rather than going outside? I will take him out bring him in put him in the cage and within 10 minutes he uses the restroom in his cage.
You did not mention if this is a new problem with Kash or an ongoing problem. If Kash was previously kennel trained and has just started going in his kennel, then I would certainly recommend having your veterinarian examine him and check a urine and/or fecal sample to make sure there isn't a medical reason for this. If a medical reason has been ruled out, then I would work on positive reinforcement when he goes outside. That may involve longer walks (rather than just going inside as soon as he goes), treats when he goes outside or verbal praise/excitement when he goes outside. You may also need to change when you walk him. For example if he tends to go 30 minutes after eating, then you may need to wait a little after eating to take him on a walk. And if you just take him outside in a yard instead of out on a walk, then you may want to start walking him. I am attaching a handout below that may have some other ideas for you. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is now refusing to go outside. He pulls on the leash and basically drags me back to the door. He wasn’t doing this a few days ago and he normally loves going outside. He did however slip out of the door last night and I had to lure him back wi
I'm afraid that, if Apollo is only 20 pounds, you are letting him drag you back to the house. Pick a "bathroom spot" and go there with him on the leash. Do not walk around. Just stand and repeat your "go outside" command (if you don't have one, make one up and stick to the same one all the time). Do not let him pull you anywhere. If he refuses to go, Bring him back in the house, but do not remove his leash. You can attach the end to your belt loop so your hand are free to do other things. This way he won't be able to go inthe house. The minute you see "I have to go" behavior, walk him outside again. Repeat this until he does his business, and then give him lots of praise and bring him in, Keep this up until he gets over whatever was bothering him and is willing to go out again. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Is rubbing your dog’s nose in there pee/poop the best way to potty train your dog? My dog likes to pee around the house when im not around him and he’s around other people. Something he wouldn’t do if i was present. Even after he’s already gone out t
Please do not ever, ever rub your dog's nose in his pee or poop. He has no idea what you're doing and why. Also, he does not "throw a temper tantrum." Kids do that; dogs don't. Put him on a leash and take him outside to his designated spot. Do not walk around. Just stand there and repeat "go outside" or a similar phrase. As soon as he starts to go, repeat "go outside" and praise "good dog!" as he goes. When he is finished, or if it appears that he is not going to go, bring him inside but do not remove the leash, even if he has done his business. Attach it to your belt loop and keep him with you. Don’t let him out of your sight! When you see him start to circle or sniff, take him right outdoors again and repeat the process. If he does mess in the house, do not scold him unless you actually catch him in the act. In that case, say "NO!" and take him right outside. Tell him to "go outside" and praise as he finishes. If he does do his business in the house and no one is right there to corre
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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