adopted dog started to pee and poop in house

Question
I have two adopted dogs that have started to pee and poop in the house. The first dog we adopted we have had for almost two years and did it when we first got her, but then stopped. When we got the second dog she started up again and now they both do it. They won't do it in front of me, they will do it when I am not looking. I do crate them at night and when I am away from the house. I am not sure what details you need in order to help me, but I would so much appreciate any advice. I love them so much, but can't stand this anymore. It has been going on since last September!

Answer
Hi Sally,

Because the marking has been going on since last September, it is now a habit to your dogs. You need to be diligent to stop this freight train of a problem, because it's running out of control.

You didn't say if your new dog is a male, or if either of your dogs are spayed/neutered. Probably the single most effective thing you can do to help your dog resist urine marking inside your home is to have your veterinarian neuter him prior to his forming this habit. At least one study has shown that neutering a dog at any age will help, so it seems that the testosterone of being intact plays a role in urine marking. Neutering does not eliminate the need for training and management, though, particularly if the habit of urine marking has become strongly formed prior to the surgery. No one can guarantee that neutering a dog is going to magically cure this problem, but it can help.

Just as you do with a puppy, supervision is the key. When you're home, and can't be monitoring your dogs, they need to be crated or contained with the help of a child-gate or two. Do not give them run of the house until they can be trusted. If you supervise properly, you may catch a dog in the act of marking. In that case, interrupt the dog with a calm "No! Let's go out!" and RUSH out the door with the dog. When you get the dog outside, the goal is to get the dog to finish there. For success outside, give excited praise and sometimes a treat.

Be sure to clean areas that are being marked with an enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature's Miracle, so they  won't be attracted to re-mark the spot the first chance they get.

Urine marking requires simple (yet persistent) methods to handle it by the same supervision, scent control, alertness to triggers, praise, checking for to rule out possible medical problems, and other basics you use to properly housetrain a dog in the first place.

If you can't get this problem under control, then it's time to contact a dog behaviorist, and work with a live person who can assess your dogs in person.

Best of luck,
Patti