[andrianhainey]

We got a 5 year old house broken cocker spaniel about 5 months ago. She is a really good dog, and has never given us problems. Yesterday she pooped in the house, then again today she did it twice in two different rooms. I don't understand why she is doing this. My husband doesn't want her back in the house anymore, but she has never been a outside dog. I feel terrible that she has to sit outside all day. What can I do to stop her from pooping in the house. It is only when we are gone, or asleep that she did this. How can I train her not to do this, my husband says to rub her nose in it, spank her and firmly tell her no. Is there an easier way? Is she doing this because she is mad about something, she seems kind of depressed for some reason. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Lucky098]

Well, for starters... Spanking and rubbing noses into feces does not solve the problem. The dog becomes afraid of you and will do it more often in even more sneekyer places. And on top of it, if you don't catch her in the act of pooin in the house, you punishing her for pooping in the house will not be connected. The only time that correction works with potty training is to catch them in the act... But, please don't rub her nose in it. It's a very useless tactic.

Since she is only doing this while you are gone, I would say to invest in a crate. Keep her in it while you are gone or asleep and keep a good dog good. Crates are very useful in house breaking and prevent the dog from sneeking off and pooing in the house. This is a form of separation anxiety... You're lucky its not the destructive type.

Because you both are upset about this and are probably punishing her hours after the incident, she is getting nervous and therefore is doing it more. Dogs don't understand that you are upset for her pottying in the house.. She knows you're upset and doesn't know why so she continues her anxiety attack... Don't make a big deal about it. Clean it up and move on with your life. If its not a big deal, then the behavior will go away over a period, probably a month or two.

On the medical note. Check her for worms or other types of parasites. Parasites can create problems such as this. She might not be able to help it.

Kicking her out will make things worse and the behavior never handled.

Just ride it through. Its only processed dog food and water ;)