Accidents in the house

Question
i have a 7-yr old yorkie whom Ive had since he was 6 weeks old. He has always been a well behaved dog until recently (two months ago). He keeps having accidents in my apts(both at the old one, and the new one now, we just moved). He will urinte and poop but never at the smae time in the apt. He used to come get my attention when he had to go outside but when he has these accidents, he doesn't let me know. Im at a loss because he never acted this way. He has never been crate/cage trained and Ive taken him to the vet who thinks he is in good health. Ive tried regulating his food, but that didnt work. I tried using those puppy pads for housebreaking, and he will sometimes go on those. Ive tried the old fashioned "rubbing their nose in it" (felt bad but my mom suggested it). I just dont know what to do anymore. My roommate is suggesting the cage, but is it possible to cage train him this late? Also, it seems like he is getting scared to go outside, but its not all the time. We will get outside and he will run to a tree or bush and urinate, and then run as fast as he can back to the front door of my apt. building and not move. I was thinking and issue could be that I recently( 4 or 5 months ago) began working the night shift, so Im thinking that might have somethng to do with the problem, but I dont know. I would appreciate any advice you have to give. Thanks!

Answer
Hello Barbara,

From what you've described my best guess would be that your dog is stressed and presenting phobic reactions to leaving your apartment. I would further guess that you spoil your cute yorkie and that the stress caused by treating him like a little human has finally boiled over into a full blown phobia of going outside.

I agree with your roommate that you should start crating him.
This will help reduce his stress. I am familiar with your mother's theory of "rubbing his nose in it". I believe the theory is that you should rub his nose in it and then smack him with a rolled up newspaper. My theory is that you should not rub his nose in it as that will only confuse him. However, I do agree about the rolled up newspaper. If he has an accident in the house, this means that you haven't been properly supervising him and please do use the newspaper to swat yourself in the head. Perhaps you will pay better attention to your dog in future. Either watch him like a hawk or have him in his crate. Do not allow further "accidents".

To treat the underlying cause of his new behavior, you need to give him firm rules and guidelines and lots of exercise. In fact, I would suggest that other then feeding him, correcting him and exercising him, that you should try ignoring him for a week or two. Give him a chance to be a dog rather then your baby and I expect you'll see a dramatic change.

Good Luck!
Sandy
www.perfectdogtraining.com