going to the bathroom inside

Question
Hello,
My dog is seven years old and a spayed mixed breed hound dog. Someone once told me she was a Plott hound but I got her from the SPCA so I am not sure. In the past few months she has taken to going to the bathroom inside the house. She will both urinate and or leave feces in two primary locations. The first is in one of my spare rooms, the second is down in the basement. I took her to the vet to see if she had an infection and they said she had a bladder infection and gave me medicine to clear it up. The vet said that although she had an infection, the fact that she would defecate in the house too meant it was a behavior problem. Sometimes she relieves herself inside when I am at work but many times it has been when I am at home. Whether or not she holds it while at work, she doesn't ask to go out much for the bathroom until the middle of the night. Then she seems to need to go out at least three times in a 6-8 hour span. When I take her outside during the night she frequently seems to be hesitant to walk over to where she normally goes. Instead she will squat inches away from the walkway. I am losing my patience with her and don't know if this behavior is a result of something medical, psychological, or just because she is getting old. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. I hope I gave you enough information.
Thank you,
Laura

Answer
Laura, behavioral changes in an older dog are often medically related, so you did great taking her to the vet and getting her treated for the infection.  However, defecating 3 times within a 6 hour span doesn't sound normal.  What is she eating?  Have there been any dietary changes?  Was she checked for parasites?

Be sure that her food doesn't contain any corn products (corn gluten meal included) or any type of by-products.  If it does, get her on a premium food and make the change gradual.  If you free feed (leave food out all day), stop.  Feed her twice a day at 12 hour intervals.  Pick up what she doesn't eat after 15 minutes.

Another possibility is that she could have been frightened by something in the yard during the night and is now overly cautious about going there to defecate.

Although, 7 years old doesn't seem very old, it's possible that she's displaying early signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction.  Does she seem confused about other things as well?  Here's more information on this:  www.cdsindogs.com

Block off the rooms that she's had accidents in and if necessary, confine her to stay in the room that you're in until you can get this under control.  Use a crate or exercise pen when you can't monitor her. Go back to Puppy Housetraining 101.  Teach her to notify you when she has to eliminate. Here's an article I wrote with some details on that:  http://www.azgreyhoundrescue.org/index.php/resources/articles/82-house-training-.

Please reply back with comments or answers to my questions. Let me know if you need clarification on anything I've recommended.