I have a chocolate lab. We've had him since he was 6 months and he is now a little over two years. He eats at 3 pm everyday and can go outside whenever he wants. He is potty trained to go OUTSIDE, but lately he has been pooping in the same spot at night. Why is he doing this?

Has there been a change or upset (to him) in your household?

Has there been a change or upset (to him) in your household?

Not that I know of.. He started pooping in the house whenever my brother came and visited but now he just does it whenever.

Not that I know of.. He started pooping in the house whenever my brother came and visited but now he just does it whenever.


I wonder if this is the problem - one of my stepdaughters visited the other, didn't seem to have any problems with the dog, the dog had a "mistake" in the house once, stepdaughter went back home and the dog continues to have "mistakes" in the same place! She asked the Vet, thought the dog was sick, but the Vet said, no, it's just the result of the "trauma" (in the dog's eyes) of having someone else in the house.

Vet said to clean the spot with vinegar, don't make a big deal in the event it's for the attention, make a big deal when the dog bathrooms outside and this too shall pass.

Of course the Vet isn't cleaning up the rug every morning.

It could also be a dominance thing. Like marking his territory. He may see your brother as some what of a threat in his territory. I am sure your brother has never done anything to the dogs, but sometimes dogs get funny when certain people are in their 'dens".

One of my dogs used to pee's every time a certain male friend of mine comes by. Even if my friend only stays out side, my dog would l pee a little by the door. Very aggravating, but he grew out of it.

Some animals will continue to use the same spot because the scent is still there. Try using a deep carpet cleaner, or a spot remover with baking soda in it. I'm not a fan of Hartz products, but they do make an industrial strength spot remover. Also Lysol will work great as will vinegar like Judy mentioned. I also like using normal laundry soap, scrubbing the soiled area clean, waiting for it to dry, and than sprinkling baking soda on the spot let it sit for 10 minutes or so, and than vacuum. Another great product is called 'Simple Solution' for dogs. It works amazing, but hard to come by.