Toy Poodle Pooping in the House

Question
Hello Labman,

I recently purchased a 2 1/2 year old toy poodle.  I was told that she is house trained.  She has not urinated in the house at all but she has pooped everyday in the house.  I'm not really sure if she is just acting out or what the problem may be.  Also, she is not eating her dog food that the pet store told me to buy and that she was being feed by her previous owner.  I want her to be a happy, health dog but I need some advise.

Thank you,
Heidi

Answer
Part of this may be due to the stress of a new home.  You and she may need to learn to communicate better on bowel movements or it could be a protest.  Either case calls for carefully watching her and learning her schedule.  

You also need to start using a crate if not already.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.    Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.  A crate may not be the absolute necessity for her they are for some dogs, but can be a great tool with any dog.  

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

When you are around, keep a close eye on her.  Running in circles and sniffing the floor may mean she needs to go out.  Know the time a place she is likely to have a bowel movement.  Many people strongly strongly push cleaning up all evidence of past accidents.  I am slower to suggest that.  Dogs will return to the same spot if they can find it.  When you see one sniffing the spot, that is your clue to run it out.

If it is intentional, you need to learn to be top dog.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  That will help control any other problems that come up.  

The failure to eat most likely is related to the new home.  Being over weight will facilitate that.  See http://www.puppychow.com/products/popup_body_condition.aspx for a good guide for maintaining an ideal body condition for her.  Once she starts eating, adjust her food and exercise as needed.  Chances are what she has been eating is fine, and the less switching around of food you do, the better.  

Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.