Husky malamute cross behaviour issue

Question
My girlfriend moved in a few months ago and brought with her two dogs and two cats, one of which is a 13 year old female huskey malamute cross who will occasionally do #2 right in front of me inside the house.  This has happend three times so far.  Each time she did not seem bug to go out side first.  The first time my girlfriend and I were making dinner, my girlfriend was out of sight but the dog could see me.  The second time, I was the only one home and she did it right in front of me in the kitchen.  The third time, my girlfriend wasn't home and I had family pop in when she strolled through the living room dropping nuggets as she went.  The dog seems to like me so I don't understand why she is doing this.  Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Chuck,

Thank you for writing to me about your Husky Malamute x.

Whenever there is a behavorial problem I always suggest that a dog be brought in for a medical checkup, full blood panel and thyroid panel and in this case a fecal exam including for Giardia.  If the results are normal, the next step to focus on would be the behavorial issues.

Before beginning education or re-education, you must find the root of the problem. Here is a list of typical causes for problems with soiling:

The dog's training is incomplete or inadequate:

Since the dog has never received a complete education on cleanliness, many previous experiments have shown that the problem manifests itself at various degrees. The dog that has not understood everything it should know about cleanliness could be clean for awhile, then relapse into soiling, because of in this case, a reconfiguring of the family pack.  Because of a badly used technique for correction, the dog could be pooping in a place where it will not be caught, when the master is out of sight. The dog could also eliminate in a place where hardly anyone ever goes. They will wait for cover at night, or shelter in the basement.

An irregular daily routine, not enough opportunities to go outside and be rewarded for good behavior can be at the root of the problem.

The dog will eliminate either in a few select places, or all over the house. Perhaps an ammonia-based cleansing product was used to mask the odour, thus exacerbating the problem.

Separation anxiety:

When a dog that because of separation anxiety elimination will occur in the thirty-minute period which follows the departure of family members, after he's left alone. The dog can urinate and defecate. If the dog does this as often when the master is present as when he is absent, the problem is most likely not linked to separation anxiety, but rather, to one or more problems.  The dog will display one or more behavior patterns related to separation anxiety, such as following the master all over the house, showing excitement when he returns from a period of absence, becoming frantic if he loses sight of his master, switching on the anxiety button if the master doesn't give him all the attention he craves, and being very nervous before each outing the master prepares for. Oftentimes, this problem is triggered by a change in the family schedule, in the number of family members, merging of families or other sources.  If you are having too much trouble dealing efficiently with this problem, please consult a professional, such as an behavorial trainer or a behaviorist veterinarian.  

Fears and phobias:

Dogs eliminate when they are afraid. The stimuli which create the problem can be either loud noises, certain people or objects, and many other reasons.

If the problem hasn't been generalized, there could be a direct link between soiling and the occurrence of these stimuli. It is possible that the dog will not react the same way in the master's presence, because the latter inhibits its fear. You could realize that the dog who usually goes outside will begin eliminating inside the house, because the very cause of its fear lies outside the house. You will notice that the dog will not want to go outside for long periods, which should cue you into what is causing the problem.

A dog suffering from fears and phobias will not experience any particular accomplishments in being educated to cleanliness. There will only be a problem when the dog is experiencing fear or generalization.  If you happen to have too much trouble dealing with this problem, please consult a professional.  

Thirteen is quite old for a Husky Malamute and the recent change in pack order has possibly frightened and confused this senior.  Try building her confidence.  Take her for walks, be the one to feed her and spend time nurturing her.  I think that taking these steps may soften this girl's fears and anxieties and make her senior years more comfortable.

Best Regards,
Shelley Davis