dog cant seem to control poops

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I just got a 6 month old dalmatian ( have owned one before) The first day she pooped 4-5 times in 2 hrs in the house. We thought nerves!! The next day I woke up to her in her crate with poop all over (6 hrs)...took her out, she did both. I took her out every hour - 2hrs (max) Did both again each time for say 8 hour time period...no accident. Praised when she did do outside. I had to leave hubby in charge and he said she pooped 3-4 times in 2 hrs in the house. That night she pooped again in the crate!! She never pees in the house only pooping. I really find this alot of poop for her considering she is only getting a cup a day!! The day we came home we were told she had eaten for the day but she was like starving, we did not feed her until say 11 the next day and only a cup full. Where is this poop coming from!!! I feel she is not eating enough for her activity level but yet she is pooping 10-15 times a day and they are not overly soft or hard could this be nerves. Also I dont really like the fact that she is pooping in the crate, it is her bed area!! Please help me understand this

ANSWER: If a dog has been living where it could keep its living space clean, it should go better than that.  Yes, it could be partly stress plus if you have changed her food, it will add to the problem.  The important part will be teaching it that if it goes to the door, you will let it out. It will be much more difficult if the dog was forced to live in its filth. You will need to learn to read the dog and learn its schedule, and when it needs to go out. Keep it in sight, closing doors and setting up gates. Some people even leash the dog to themselves. I have used a tie down at my computer desk.

For the time being, take her out frequently and walk her around.  I never take a dog that age in a public place without walking around outside some first.  Exercise stimulates elimination.  Often a dog will have a bowel movement soon after it starts to move around after a nap.  Also after eating.  So watch her carefully and be ready to take her out.  And yes, do praise her.  

Take her out and walk around before putting her in her crate.  Fill a Kong with peanut butter, freeze it, and give it to her.  She will be too busy licking it out to stress out over being crated.  

Unless you are feeding a very high calorie food, she needs more than a cup.  Were you told she was getting only a cup?  Do not over feed her.  The larger the breed and younger the puppy, the more important it is to keep it lean.  You should be feeding an all life stages food now. Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.  If you are feeding her what she was eating before, It may be better not to switch until she is doing better with the bowel movements.  It may not be too important.  She already should have most of her adult size and some of the large breed puppy chows are little different from adult food except for the name on the bag and the price.  

Don't let anybody tell you a more expensive food will solve the problem.  The common brands have a very extensive, successful history in service dog programs.  They all feed things such as Pro Plan or Iams.  Much of what you read about dog food is marketing hype.  There are those that devoutly believe if it is more expensive, it must be better.  Yes, I love a steak dinner, but often end up eating a chicken casserole.  Good nutrition doesn't require expensive ingredients.  

Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx


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QUESTION: Yes she was fixed a month ago and the girl in which I got the dog from said she had no food left so i have been giving her our kirkland brand that I give our 2 other dogs for now. i know our last dalmation my vet pushed for Pro Plan, sorry I found expensive, but do you suggest this kind or the iams because I will do the transition if you feel that they are good. Yes she said 1 cup daily, she is not a breader just someone who wanted a dalmation and had no clue of their physical needs Exercise!! We live on a farm and my husband takes her out at 5 am till 10 am and he says she is constantly running with the other dogs and chasing cats, she also goes with him from 4- 7 pm. I take care of her needs between this but yesterday I had a hockey tournement to go to and he didnt have the chores because of this, we have 5 boys and we are a very active outdoors. Our weather hear lately has been really cold and I know that dalmatians are not good when it is very cold. We try to limit to 15- 20 min for her needs but she cant seem to do more than. I am not sure if she was like this there and that is why they wanted rid of her either...you never know with some people.
As for praise when she does her thing we do praise sometimes even a treat but when she lies there and she starts to poop I say no then put her out...she will not finish. Almost like a problem to not know she has to go. At night we dont know when she goes or even if she knows she has gone herself. half the time she gets into position other times she isnt.
I have tried to call these people but they are not home.
Do you feel that she will eventually learn by me taking her out on an hourly basis
Thanks so much

ANSWER: Kirkland is highly thought of for its price by those that look at ingredients and not results.  As far as I know, it is as good as anything else.  I wouldn't switch for now.  

I would make up a schedule depending how old the boys are to make sure she goes out and runs around at least every 2 hours, and maybe more.  It may take some time, but dogs are naturally clean animals, and as she realizes she can keep the crate and house clean, she may do so.  It wouldn't hurt to have the vet look at her.  Dalmatians are one of the breeds that have many bred in problems.  

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QUESTION: Found away to get the response, just another quick question if you dont mind. I have a chocolate lab and we find he is chunky... he is a tad on the lazy side!! We try to bring him everywhere we go outside. If we go to the bush he will run back with us but doesnt stay as he will return home. He doesnt play with the kids much...he would rather an adult play with him!! Is this normal! We give him about half to .75 cup twice a day and let me tell you he looks for more!!

Answer
Evaluate him as explained in the link I gave in my first response.  If he is too heavy, you need to either increase his exercise, or feed less.  At the level you are feeding, you may want to do some checking on the possibility he is finding more to eat.  Who knows what a kindly neighbor may be doing, or perhaps he enjoys rabbit.  It is quite common for labs to eat more than they need and look for more.  Our 6 month old is near ideal condition, but starts reminding me 2 hours before her scheduled dinner.  

Most larger dogs love little kids.  Usually they see the knocks and bumps they get as just more rough play.  It is possible he had some bad experiences wiht the children when younger.  the children may also need to be a little more gentle and play the games he wants to play.