going to the bathroom in the house

Question
Hi! We have a 14 month old female rott.She has been housebroken since we got her thanks to the crate training. For about the last month she has been periodically peeing and pooping in the house.She will go outside then come in and go.She was in the house for 10 hours the other day and we were gone and she didn't go.I am just very confused of why she would be going in the house after all this time.I sure hope you can give me some kind of expanation.
Thank you,
Darlene

Answer
It could be something physical or she could be challenging your leadership.  As with most behavior problems, start with a vet visit discussing the problem with him.  If she isn't spayed, discuss getting that done too.

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/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

When you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. If you catch it in the act, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and take it out. When you can't watch it, crate it.

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

I hate to see a dog shut up more than 4-5 hours.  If you can't make it back to give her a break, see if a neighbor or professional dog walker can.