Dog pooing on the cement

Question
Hi Jill,

I have a 11 year old German Shepherd "Ishtar".  I have had her since she was a pup.
In the last few months she has started pooing on the cement under our back veranda almost every night!  Sometimes close to the grass but still on the cement.  Mind you we have a HUGE grass area for both dogs to go to the toilet.  
At first i had trouble knowing which of the dog it was but a couple of times he has done it when my partner has been outside and once when i was at the kitchen window.  Plus when i go out to find it there she is always the one to put her ears back and head down when i show them i am unhappy about it.
I am pretty sure she knows that it is "bad" to do and she is a very intelligent dog.  No other behavior issues besides this.  She has always been a very well trained and behaved dog.
I don't understand why she is doing it and would really appreciate it if you can help me with some suggestions!
Our other dog we have had for about 2 and a half years.  In the last year or so i have noticed Ishtar's arthritis become a bit worse.  I dont have any other info for you.

Please Help!

Regards,

Talia

Answer
If you've "noticed" the dog's "arthritis" has "become worse", you should take the dog to the veterinarian ASAP!  This is hip dysplasure, not simple arthritis, and this condition can be alleviated with medication.  Further, had she been taking supplements the situation may not have become as painful as it appears to be for her.  These supplements are available at any pet supply store or online, as you can see from the following site:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=670

This painful condition is most likely the reason she is defecating on a more solid ground.  When a dog squats to defecate, a great deal of strain is put on the hips, which have to bear the full weight of the dog; plus, eliminating sometimes involves straining and this will cause the pain to become worse.  Dogs do NOT feel "guilt" or "know" they have done something "wrong", they react to your anger, body posture, etc. and a display of submission includes ears back, tail tucked, head turning away or being lowered, in what appears to be a posture of "shame" but is actually submission and calming signals.  

Getting angry at a very elderly (for a GSD)dog won't solve a thing except make the remainder of her life (which may not be that long) miserable.  First: veterinarian for evaluation of the hips and possible arthritic condition; second: medication and supplements; third, retraining the dog to another area (if you must: this is not a big deal, it's outdoors I assume and a pooper scooper will easily pick it up as is done in major cities where dogs are forced to eliminate on cement.)  I can't visualize what you're describing so I will simply make a few suggestions.  A temporary barrier made of hardware cloth or garden wire fence is easy to install and just as easy to remove; a motion activated water sprayer can be installed and as the dog walks toward the area, the water will turn on (and hopefully persuade her to not continue).  This can be found here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BO71NY

My first impulse is that the dog has developed this behavior for a very good reason and requires expert veterinary evaluation.  Patience and love should accompany old age.

From your feedback statement: there is NO NEED to put this dog to death because she has hip issues.  Your veterinarian will most likely say the same thing (I HOPE!), if s/he doesn't find another one.  You can create a cement area by nailing plywood into a box and pouring cement into it and re-train the dog to defecate on that spot.  I'm confused why a loving owner would willingly relinquish a dog to death unless that dog is in excruciating pain, suffering serious cognitive dysfunction, not eating properly, not behaving normally, and clearly giving a signal that it has given up.  I adopted a GSD/hybrid mix from a kill shelter when she was ten, dumped there by her owner because she stole the "baby's toys".  This was an exceptional dog, one I loved very much for the brief time I owned her.  She developed an autoimmune problem and my excellent veterinarian and I tried many methods to treat it; she was in obvious and serious physical discomfort, proven when he gave her a shot of pain medication and her behavior totally changed.  I had no choice but to put her down (TO DEATH) but it broke my heart and it still does, seven years later.  Death is NOT a CASUAL CHOICE, it is apparently FOREVER, and every life has the right to its expression in FULL.  DO NOT kill this dog because she has issues that can most likely be managed by medication.