Oh nooo!

[Gempress]

My wonderful, absoultely perfect model-dog Zeus may have a problem! :eek:

Last week, he pooped on the floor while we were gone. We had been gone 4-5 hours. We didn't make a fuss, just cleaned it up. I figured that he just couldn't hold it.

Today, he did it again. Hubby came home for lunch to a steaming pile of doo-doo. Zeus had been alone for 4 hours. I don't understand it! Zeus has never, ever, ever, gone in the house before (except for the one occassion when he had an upset tummy). He's had no problems holding it for a good 8-9 hours. I don't know what has caused this now. Is this just coincidence, and he has just "happened" to desperately need a potty break while we're gone? Or is he really starting to break his training? If so, how do you fix this?

[Saje]

I don't really have an answer for you. Maybe he gets too excited with Voodoo around? Maybe he can't hold it because of a tummy ache? Is it 'normal'? And if he's ok then you might have to start retraining :(

[J's crew]

Usually it is pretty rare, but dogs do scent-mark territory with feces rather than urine.

After reading your other thread on your dogs sorting out their rank this may be a possibility. :eek:

[DanL]

I would think it has something to do with the new dog as well.

[pup-man]

I think he just can't hold it like he use to. I have heard of people getting a second dog which results in more playing and activities for that established dog which stimulates a dog to go potty more often :).

[Zoom]

If you've ruled out health issues, then I'd be inclined to think it has something to do with VooDoo. Oddly enough, I just finished reading a part of "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell that dealt with "poo presents". It may be a scent marking, it may be Zeus trying to leave you something super-special to remind you that he's the #1 boy in the house.

I am in love with this book and I think it'd be something great for you to read as well. The author has four or five dogs herself, so there are lots of little dropped tidbits on how to peacefully manage a multiple dog household.

[Gempress]

so there are lots of little dropped tidbits

LOL, no pun intended, right? ;) I think I'll check out that book, thanks.

[Zoom]

*groan* Yes, there as no pun intended there. I'm ashamed of myself for not catching that.

[RD]

I think it's a scent marking thing, as well.

When I started working as a groomer, I always took Ripley with me to work. Every day when I'd come home, I'd find a present or two from Dakota. On the days that I didn't take either of the boys, he "held it" perfectly. I don't know what it was about Ripley going with me that made him feel insecure in his "#1" status, but I have a feeling that the going inside the house was just Dakota trying to reassure himself. :rolleyes:

[Mach1girl]

My Hot Rod does this and has all his life, many years!!!

I can and have learned to tell the difference, he does do it to scent mark, and he also does it to get even with us for leaving him!!!

I crate him now and he wont do it in the crate. But boy if I leave, he will do it, even if I go out to the store, 5 minutes, its there for me when I return.


Then he gets up on the couch and sleeps, and when I walk in he's like"Wha????"


Lol

[SummerRiot]

Could it be that hes resorted to "puppyhood" as well with Voodoo there now?

Could it be that Zues is picking up habits from Voodoo??

Zues just doesn't seem like the type of dog(from what i've read of him lol) to assert his dominance like that..?

[Gempress]

Well, the mystery has been solved!

Zeus is sick. :( Poor thing. He didn't touch his food at all yesterday, and wanted to sleep instead of spending time cavorting with his fellow Horseman of the Apocalypse. Zeus even grumbled a bit at Voodoo when my little catahoula tried to bring him a tug toy.

I figured that one day of missed food won't hurt him, so I'll see how he is today. He already seems much brighter this morning, so I hope it was just a brief stomach bug.

But thanks for all your help!