Relapse in Housebreaking

Question
Our lab is 5.5 months.  He is very healthy and the appropriate weight.  He is housebroken (has been since he was 3 months)and sleeps in the kitchen.  For the last 2 nights, I've woken up to his feces in the kitchen on the opposite side of where he sleeps.  There's been no "punishment" as I know that you're not supposed to get angry with the pup if it's after the fact.  I fear using his crate, as he hasn't used it in over 2 months.  Also, he did poop in his crate when he was younger.  This clean-up is horrendous as it always involves a bath as well as cleaning the crate.  We neutered him on 1/2 and as far as I know, he has fully recovered from that.  We are baffled as to why he might be having a relapse.  Could it be the rain (it's been raining for the last 4 days)?  We can't figure out what we've been doing differently. . .

Help!

Thanks,

Linda

Answer
It could be the rain, a digestive upset, or a challenge to your leadership.  See the vet if any sign of digestive problems continues.  Rain or no rain, walk him around a bit at bed time.  I have had far more lessons than I liked about not taking a puppy in a public place until we walk around out intheparkinglot a while.  They can't walk and hold it very long.  

Obedience train him.  He is old enough for classes if you want.  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