but he's already potty trained!

[Chella]

I have a 4 year old neutered male who was very easy to potty train as a puppy as soon as we got him in a crate. He never had accidents in the crate or the house ~ even after we let him have the run of the house . Last week we moved to a new house, and it's been disasterous. I understand that it's a new environment for him, and it may take some time for him to adjust. Even though he gets plenty of walks each day, and I make sure he does his business, he still goes in the house. We decided to get his crate back out (which he used to love, and now doesn't want anything to do with) & try to re-potty train him. Well, the first day back to work, and he had gone all over his cage & the surrounding area. This is so unlike him, I don't know how to deal with it. Can anyone please help!

[TrishB]

You may want to have him checked for a bladder infection. Sometimes stress can cause infections which make holding it near impossible. When we're talking about an adult dog, give them the benefit of the doubt and have him checked for a physical problem. It may not be behavioural at all! It's best to rule it out first. ;)

If he's found to be healthy, then consider this:

It may have been that there was another dog in that house before you and your dog smells their scent. So he's now 're-marking' his new territory. Try doing a good cleaning around the house with an NON-Ammonia based cleaner (ammonia is very similar to a urine scent and can actually cause further problems). It may help.

Please be patient with your boy. Attempt to re-establish his routine as he once had it (eating, walking, etc.). He's been a little thrown by the move. You are correct by bringing out the crate again. You may need to go back to "Crate Training 101" with him for a little while - just to get him back on track.

[Chella]

I neglected to mention that he isn't just peeing. He's pooping, too. The house is a new construction, so no other dogs have been in there before.

[TrishB]

Then I'd definately have him checked for something physical. It's quite possible that it's something that he can't help!

Let us know what your vet says. :)

Best of luck.

[Stubby]

Forgive me for sounding ignorant. But if the only thing thats changed is the house he is living in, why is everyone pointing to a potential medical problem?

This seems more of a behavioural thing to me. I can't help sort it out, but, it does not seem logical to say it's something medical.

[codglvr]

Actually lots of construction workers bring their dogs with them to work. You never know, one of them could have slipped a few drops around. Good luck, I have a cat right now who decided she didn't like where I moved her litter box to. It's driving me nuts trying to get rid of the smelland stain.

[TrishB]

Originally posted by Stubby
Forgive me for sounding ignorant. But if the only thing thats changed is the house he is living in, why is everyone pointing to a potential medical problem?

This seems more of a behavioural thing to me. I can't help sort it out, but, it does not seem logical to say it's something medical.

You'd be surprised at how many times people would bring in their dogs / cats after weeks and sometimes MONTHS of messing in the house due to a 'behavioural problem' - only to find out that the pet had paracites, bladder infection, infected anal glands, etc. Adult dogs don't usually suddenly change behaviour. More often than not, it's something physical.

So I've suggested that something physical might be causing the problems for this previously very clean adult dog. Once the possibility of something physical has been removed, you can begin to look at the other reasons (as I've suggested above).

If it is something physical and it's been ignored - even after the problem has been corrected, it often has an effect on their behaviour afterwards. The process of deduction and the benefit of the doubt - it's the best way to go.

[Stubby]

Well, I for one, would be curious to know if this is the real root of the problem.

If it is, then I wonder why this happend JUST when they move to a new house. Stress??

[TrishB]

Originally posted by Stubby
Well, I for one, would be curious to know if this is the real root of the problem.

If it is, then I wonder why this happend JUST when they move to a new house. Stress??

Stubby, I don't think you've completely read what I've written here. Yes, they just moved. Yes, he may be stressed. However, she has already reintroduced the crate. Considering we're talking about a previously very clean, easily trained, 4 year old adult dog - it doesn't make sense!

Dogs do not want to mess in their own beds. This is a basic instinct which is why crate training is so effective! :) The fact that he is now messing in the house, and now even in his crate leads me to believe that there's something else going on.

Something physical such as a bladder infection, paracites, diarrhea, IBD, etc. can all cause an inability to control themselves. This sounds like much more than just being unhappy about the move. I prefer to give adult dogs the benefit of the doubt and to have them checked for a physical reason for their behaviour.

As I said, return him to his previous schedule, make sure as much as possible remains the same - this will help his stress levels. Do not change his food at this time if his bowel movements are okay, he doesn't need the added stress.

But above all, I would have him checked by the vet to make sure that he's healthy and that there isn't anything else going on. My opinion and I'm sticking to it.

[Stubby]

No, I've read what you posted. And I understand your point of view. However, I am genuinly interested to know if this REALY IS something physically wrong, or a resuly of "post move stress" for want of a better term..
I'm not arguing the point with you now... I just want to know if the pooch IS really sick or not...

Chella, please let us know how you are making out.

[tilerspop]

It may seem strange that a previously good dog is now having a problem in a new house, but it's really not. I'm going thru the same with Tiler now. I rescued Tiler from the pound two weeks ago. I have deduced that Tiler was owned by a man, he was fed canned dog food, he was raised in an apartment, he has been trained. He needs to be educated where outside is and that that is where he needs to go to do his business. He needs time to make HIS mark in HIS yard. Remember, you do things to your new house to make it yours, he needs to do a similar thing. Give it time and he will come around. Until then, re-introducing him to his crate might not be a bad idea, at least it will help your sanity.

[Sansano]

Originally posted by Stubby

I just want to know if the pooch IS really sick or not...

Then wouldn't taking him to the vet be a good idea to rule that out?

[Stubby]

duh .. yeah

Thats what I said in my last post.. I'm now curious to know if it REALLY IS an illness. And, if it is, what triggered it? The move?

Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

[Chella]

Thank you all for your comments & advice. Kordell seems to be doing much better the last few days. There was no mess in his crate when I came home yesterday. However, there have been many people coming in & out of the house, so Kordell gets put in the basement while they are there (he's a barker, and it freightens many people). When we let him out again, we notice that he pees while he's down there even if for only 5 minutes. this brings up another concern of mine ~ does anyone know how to discourage him barking at everyone who walks by the house? One of the neighbors told me that there was alot of concern when they heard that "a rottweiler" was moving into the neighborhood. I try to give him a firm "NO", but it doesn't seem to be working.

[Trinitii]

I'm glad to see he is doing better. My girl barks at passerbys all the time also. I have been keeping an eye out on her and trying to train her to just watch and not speak. I usually run out and give a command no bark..when she gets quiet I say good girl. It is working slowly but surely. Others have given me advice of teaching the command speak then no speak. I have also seen devices called the good neighbors dog which is a little batterie operated device you put outside and when a dog barks it sends a high picth sound which makes them stop to listen at the sound. Havn't used it though but it may be a helpful item to help in training. Just some thoughts! Good luck

Trinitii