My dog keeps messing in the house

Question
We have a 3 1/2 year old Beagle. we got him in January from a rescue centre. When we first got him we had real problems with leaving him at home on his own. He's gradually got better and better the more settled he's become. However, over the past few weeks he's started messing in the house again. It doesn't matter how long we're gone for there's always something waiting for us when we come home. For example, I popped out on Saturday morning for no more than an hour, when I came back he had pooped in my shoe and weed all over the kitchen floor. We always make him go outside to do his business before we go out. Can you tell me why he's all of a sudden started doing this and how we prevent this? Thanks

Answer
Hi there

It sounds like he is anxious about being left but I can't say for sure without more info.  You say he had problems being left when you first got him.  Beagles are prone to separation problems, coupled with the fact that he came from a rescue centre I imagine he finds being left quite hard.  Although he has got better he will also have formed a strong relationship with his family members so will find being left difficult for different reasons - initially perhaps he was just afraid to be left alone and felt insecure.  Now perhaps he actually finds it difficult to be away from his social group to which he attached, which is natural.

Toiletting is often a sign of anxiety and stress as the body gets ready for its 'fight or flight' response to a perceived dangerous situation (perhaps you have experienced the feeling of being desperate for the loo before giving a talk or other scary ordeal?!).  Try going out the door and spying through the window to see what he does.  makes sure you go through your normal 'going out routine' (e.g. coat/car keys etc) so it looks real.

if he is agitated and seems unsettled then I expect that is the cause of the toileting so you need to gradually teach him to be left by building up the time you leave him over a period of time.  It will help to make sure he is 'emptied' before going out but if he is really anxious it isn't actually treating the problem, just the symptoms.

Let me know what happens.

Best regards,

Lucy.  
p.s. he is going in your shoe because it smells very strongly of you - its a compliment in a way!!