The issue of puppies pooping inside the house after being outside is common to many dog owners. We know how annoying it is, but we can’t entirely blame them.
They’re probably overstimulated outside or they just don’t feel the need to poop yet!
There are several potential reasons why your puppy poops in the house after being outside.
We share all these possible reasons, as well as how to stop your dog from pooping in the house and other house training tips!
Why Your Puppy Poops Inside After Being Outside
It’s frustrating when you take out your puppy to pee and poop only to go back inside and have them do it in the house.
When your dog keeps going to the bathroom in the house, this is usually because they lack house training. However, there are several other possible reasons.
Overstimulation During Potty Time
Most of the time, a dog peeing or pooping after going out is due to the environment outside the house. The area where they are supposed to defecate may be too distracting or overstimulating.
This is common for dogs who don’t always get time to be outdoors. After being enclosed at home the whole day, they get overly enthusiastic to go out to sniff and dig.
Your pooch may get distracted to the point of forgetting to go potty with all the sensory overload and excitement.
Once they get back in the house, they’re all tired and realize the urgency. Then, they have an accident right on the spot.
Separation Anxiety
Do you take your dog out before going to work yet they still go potty in the house? That might also be because they don’t do well when they are left alone.
Your dog might have separation anxiety if you come home from work to a huge mess all the time.
Signs of separation anxiety include whining, pacing, barking, howling, panting, digging, and pooping.
Check out our tips on how to help your dog with separation anxiety.
Your Dog is Scared
Although over stimulation can be the main cause for puppies pooping in the house, fear can also be a reason.
If they are scared of something in the yard, they won’t feel comfortable to pee and poop. This can be noises, other people, animals, or objects.
When dogs are scared, they will hold it until they are relaxed again. Dogs feel vulnerable every time they go potty because it takes time.
They might feel anxious because what if they sense danger while they’re not on their four legs?
Lastly, dogs feel vulnerable when they poop because they leave traces behind.
Your Dog is Too Old
Some dogs develop canine cognitive dysfunction as they age. It’s their version of Alzheimer’s disease. They might have a hard time doing several tasks like potty training.
Your dog may forget how to go outside because of cognitive dysfunction. In this case, limit them to only a few areas of the house and understand that they can’t help it.
You’ll have to deal with a lot of clean-ups during this stage without expecting them to do better.
Lack of Routine
It could be just that you haven’t figured out your puppy’s routine yet. You may think that your dog has to be taken out right after they eat breakfast.
However, they may need to go 20 minutes after eating.
This is usually the case for older dogs who have only been adopted recently. Even if they are potty trained, they haven’t adapted to your schedule yet.
How to Stop a Puppy Pooping in the House
To stop this common problem in puppies, try the following tips.
Potty Before Playtime
Make it a routine for your puppy to poop and pee first before allowing them to play. Potty training is important.
Don’t let them play and interact with others until they’re done. Help your dog concentrate on sniffing around and finding the perfect spot.
If possible, take your pup out when it’s quiet. If your dog gets distracted by neighbors, wait for the neighbors to be inside.
Also, don’t let your pup back in the house without pooping. Make it a habit to calmly praise them after going potty.
This may take time and patience in the beginning, but it will be worth it.
Help Your Fearful Dog
If the root cause of your dog’s pooping in the house is their fearfulness outside, it might be worth it to use training pads inside first.
But this should be temporary! Use training pads until your dog has adjusted to the changes and has more confidence outside the house.
Work Out a Schedule
Experiment with the time you want to take your dog out. Try taking them our after eating, and 20 minutes after the next day.
Also, take note that puppies need to poop and pee more often than adult dogs. Their tiny digestive systems move faster so they poop more.
That means you may also have to adjust the number of times you take them out. This will also take some trial and error but it’s easier on both of you if you err on the side of caution and go out more frequently than necessary.
Once you find a schedule that works, stick to it because once your dog is used to going out at a specific time, making them wait longer won’t be ideal.
Puppy House Training Tips
As mentioned, one of the most common reasons why your pup poops in the house after being outside is lack of house training.
So, here are some tips to get you started
- Observe their feeding and defecation habits first to get an idea of when your pup needs to poop.
- Try using a crate to confine them when they are in the house. This will help them prevent unwanted accidents that reinforce their pooping habit.
- The best reward for a dog defecating in the appropriate spot is a walk or outside playtime.
- Avoid punishing your dog for their mistakes because it is ineffective.
- Always have treats on hand to reward good behavior.
Puppy Training Takes Time!
Training your puppy to poop in the appropriate spot will take time and patience.
Sometimes, you need to address other problems beforehand, such as their fearfulness, separation anxiety, and the misaligned pooping schedule.
Work out a schedule, take them to a quiet spot, make sure they poop first before playing, and reward them every time!
Meanwhile, if you have a senior dog, limit them to only a few areas of the house and expect more clean-ups. Be more patient with them as they might not get any better.
For more tips on dog house training and other bad behaviors check out these free dog training videos now.
