My 6 yr old min pin is pooping in the house while I'm gone during the day. He has a dog door so he could go out any time he likes. He has done this occasionally in the past but it has increased recently. We've had him 2 years, but he was a stray from the pound so we know nothing about his past life or training. He seems fine left in his crate, but is 8 hours too long (in addition to hours at night?) Not sure what to do with him while I'm at work.

If he can't wait until you get home, yes, 8 hours is too long for him.

When my dogs change any habits the first thing I look at is changed circumstances - has anything happened that his upset his doggie world?

When my dogs were puppies I bought a doggie playpen and confined them in that. It was spacious enough for them to walk around but they were still confined.

When do you feed him? Perhaps if he now eats in the AM feeding him at night is a good idea.

Thanks for the response! I am at work longer now than I used to be, I think this has disrupted him, no more midday walks. Also, we did start feeding him less by advise of a vet, but he eats half of his allotment in the AM, maybe I should cut that back and give him more in the evening instead. Today I left him in his crate and he seemed fine, excited to get out and take a walk, but fine. No mess in the crate, he did his business on our walk. I guess I'll try this method a while, he does like his crate a lot.

If he likes his crate, leave him in there. It is probably where he feels safe. If you let him wander, he probably gets bored and is rebelling towards you because you are not there.

Is there anyway you could get a trusted friend or family member (even a bonded dog walker) to come in during the day and take him on a walk? I bet he does miss the walks, and that would have an awful lot to do with his change in behaviour, and he is trying to tell you he is not happy about it.

If you can't have anyone come in, then as soon as you come home, take him for a long walk. Don't act excited when you come into the door, towards him. Just be calm, and don't acknowledge him. I know this is extremely hard, but if he waits in excited anticipation all day for you to come home, it will be harder on him. Once he is calmed down, then let him out and then praise and play with him. Don't feed him before you go on your walk. Let the walk tire him out, and then he will be able to eat and then rest.

Make sure he is not all excited before you take him on his walk either. Wait until he is in a calm state, and don't say excited things like "wanna go for a walk? Are we going walking?" Just matter of factly put on his leash and go, and let him drain his pent up energy from the day. A dog park would be great too if you have one close.

Then have playtime before bed, and once again take out for maybe a short walk, and then back to his crate for the night , and then out to do his job in the morning before you leave.

I would imagine once he gets into that routine, he will be fine without you during the day, while you're at work. I used to not be a big fan of crating myself, but I'm beginning to understand. The smaller the crate for the size of your dog, the better. A dogs instincts are to be in their dens when they are resting, and the mother dog doesn't let them wander around. They feel safe in their small "den".

I don't crate my dog at all, but that is what works for us, and when I leave and come home, she is always on her fave pillow, so that is her safe spot, and she just knows that when I leave, that is where she stays. But if your dog likes his crate, take advantage of that for sure!

Hope that helped!