Poop Deck

QUESTION: Candice said...
Oh dear! My year old border collie is still pooping in the house! I got him from border collie rescue about 2 months ago, and he has never seemed to have gotten it. I think he even comes in from outside and goes into the other room to poop. A friend of mine who works a lot with border collies told me that I need to keep my eye on him all the time, but it's hard. She suggested baby gates. I am just about at that point!



ANSWER:
When a dog is older, it's harder to break them of what has become a long-standing "habit". But it can be done.

My suggestions:
  • If you have a yard and are letting him out the door, try instead taking him out on a leash.
  • Keep him outside to potty as long as possible.
  • Next time he poops (inside or outside), move that poop (use baggie or plastic gloves, ew!) to a spot outside where you'd like the dog to go all the time. This will help "mark the spot". Take him to that spot all the time.
  • Use a command to indicate what you want him to do (I use "go pee" and "go poop").
  • When he does go poop outside, make a huge deal over it. Even give an immediate small treat (Cheerios are great for this, you can put a baggie of them in your pocket before going out).
  • Inside, try tethering him to you with a light, cotton lead. Do this until he's completely housebroken. Seems like a pain, but it helps keep him in sight.
  • When tethering, you can bring him to a room you are staying in for a while and put him in a down stay with you.
  • I prefer tethering, but if needed, baby gates can help keep him from wandering the house.
  • The problem with baby gates is the dog still needs supervision. Baby gates will just keep him from pooping around the whole house. He still may poop where he's gated. He really needs supervision instead.
  • Instead of using one gate to keep him in one place, use multiple gates about the house to act just like tethering. Keeps him near where you are so you can supervise him.
  • If you catch him in the act of going in the house, say loudly "NO" and grab him to finish outside. That's the only "reprimand" you should use.
  • Go outside with him and if he finishes outside, big praise.
  • Crate the dog when you're not home.
  • Of course, whenever he has an accident in the house, clean and sterilize. This is imperative since their noses are so sensitive.

I have more info on this topic here.
Good luck with all this! Let me know how it works out.
The WillaWoman


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