Junior wont go poop outside

Question
QUESTION: I just got a 2yr old cocker/maltese mix from the anticruelity society one week and 3days ago. They told me he was house broken. I already have a 8yr old golden retriever who is very well trained. When i first brought Junior home he peed and pooped right on the carpet! I told him no bad boy but i wasn't too mad seeing as how its a new home and I thought he was just scared. Well thats not the case anymore. I walk him about 4 times a day and I walk them together. He has no problem peeong on every tree but it never fails as soon as we come back he poops in the house. I have picked his poop up and took him and the poop outside and put it on the grass and told him to go there but he refuses. Also dog experts said that dogs wont go where they sleep. That is not the case. I walked him and put him in his cage went to work and came home to poop all over him and his cage. This has happened twice. Can you please help me to get him to poop outside...I just dont know what to do.

ANSWER: You didn't mention how the Golder and the new dog get along. The dogs can have anxiety, territory and other stresses in a new home. How were the two dogs introduced to each other? Does each have its own space (crate). Does the new dog have other signs of stress or anxiety?  Has the food changed? So yooknow if the new dog was with other dogs before the anticruelty stay?  I need a little more info to try and help.

Regards,

Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I brought Jr home and introduced him to Romeo the golden and they get along fine. Romeo does not have a crate nor did he ever have a crate. He was a very good dog since he was a puppy and training him was easy. Jrs food hasnt changed . They said he lived with other dogs prior. I do think he does have anxiety cuz he barks when I leave.

Answer
OK.  It is not unusual for a newly adopted pet to have anxiety issues. Being abondoned, perhaps street life if not taken to the shelter, then the clamerous surroundings of the shelter are a severe shock.  That's also why adopted dogs usually take to their new hame and owneer quickly. They don't forget how bad they had it.

You need to provide some TLC but not go overboard. Potty the two dogs together and go with them to make sure both go. Praise Jr. and Romeo. Don't let Jr back in the house until he goes.

He may be engaged in both marking territory (his new home) and having anxiety. Your vet can prescribe medication to help him get over the anxiety but not for long term use. We don't want a dopy dog.  Depending on what food you are using, you may want to consider a different diet for Jr. The premium brands, Eukanaba, Pedigree, etc. produce less stool, and they have different formulas to calm his system. Food changes should be gradule (7-10 days of gradual changeover). There are also breed specific foods or size specific. Jr should be on a small breed food, while Romeo would be on a mid size diet. As long as the stool is firm vs sloppy or hard as a rock, it should be OK. You can regulate water to make sure Jr does not have too much or too little.

A regular desensitizing program of leaving and returning quickly, and distraction (make sure he has a toy or other mind occupying activity when you leave) should work over a couple weeks. You can also put him in a diffferent room farther from the door.  His crate should be a do not disturb area.  You can refer to other questions I've answered on this same topic.

Regards,

Henry Ruhwiedel
Westwind Kennels LLC