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Mamamia102
Jul 10, 2012, 12:42 PM
My precious, active, and VERY smart 10-mo-old female (fixed) long-coat chi is a very busy and affectionate little girl with only one problem: I cannot get her to stop pooping in the house! She goes outside in our fenced yard at will and freely does her business out there, but I still find poop "hidden" in many places, especially under my bed! She will also bring the old "hidden" poop out and put it in front of my closet doors! She is fed twice daily and receives no other food except an occasional training treat. I have two other dogs who are completely housebroken who go in and out with her, and I praise her for going outside--but I just can't seem to break her of this bad habit. And she only does this when we are home! When we leave for any length f time, we close all the bedroom, bathroom doors to limit her access. Other than pooping seemingly at will, she is a perfect little lady. Advice?

Lucky098
Jul 10, 2012, 03:07 PM
I don't think this is a house training issue, I think this is a behavior issue.

My first guess is separation anxiety. Does she run free while you are gone? If so, that is when she is doing it. At her age, separation anxiety can develop.

Even if she is crated while you are gone, she is still protesting the fact you are leaving.

I would suggest to close all doors and keep a close eye on her. If she starts to wander off, grab her and go outside with her.

If you haven't already, start going to obedience classes. Obedience solves a lot of behavior problems, even those you wouldn't think would get fixed.

Until you can target the action you do to trigger this behavior, its kind of hard to give you accurate advise. She could just be naughty.. in which case, the same procedure will help you.. take her out the minute she starts to wander around..

Next time you have to leave somewhere, take note of that.. when you come back, or an hour after you have returned, look around and see what you find. If she does it because you leave, its separation anxiety. If she does it just because, its behavioral and she needs some major obedience training.