Old dog with bowel issues

[u/mastermiky3]

Sorry if my spelling is not good English is not my first language. I have Valkyrie since she's 7yo, a good dog with kids and other animals and my best friend. She's now 14 and started to shit in the house at night frequently. No pipi, just popo. And nothing liquid, all hard. Never during the day even if she spends more time alone not going out in the day than at night. During the week I work from home so I take her outside on my breaks but some weekends were out of the house for a long time. We had 3 back to back loaded weekends with birthdays, baby shower and apple picking with family and she was just fine not doing anything while we were gone but at night I take her outside around midnight and wake up at 6 because of the kids and I wake up to a mess to clean. I just don't get it. If she had accidents during the long days she's alone at home I would think she's unable to hold it anymore because of her age but no. One day during the weekend we left her at 7am and came back at 4pm and everything was fine, took her outside at midnight like usual and woke up at 6:30 to a pile of dog dooki in front of the dore. And it's not like I'm quick to get her inside. I leave her wonder in the yard as long as she wants, most of the time that's her who wants to come inside.

[u/One_Fisherman1791]

She's holding it all day out of sheer spite just to leave you a midnight gift, classic senior dog power move.

[u/DismalStreaks]

I have an older dog, a Malinois at around 14yo, and we're experiencing similar issues. We have a schedule, and if he misses a poop, it's gonna happen on my floor.

The best I can say is to track feeding times, stay regular, and try not to be angry at the dog that's doing it's best to be your friend.

[u/Such-Extreme-5833]

Sorry you are going through this, I went through this for almost a year ubtil May of this year. My girl was 14 yo and 65lbs. My vet told me that sometimes it is a internal problem that they can help, but most times it is age. My girl would poop in her sleep and she sometime pooped while on a walk without squating. The way the vet explained, was she did not know she had to poop until it was happening. Her colon was loosing the signal to her brain telling her she had to poop. What helped my girl was change the time she ate. When I feed her around 6PM, she did better at night. Then I had to get her up every 2 hours day and night to go outside. I wish I could tell you there was a magic solution, but there is not. Do not scold her for pooping because she cannot help it, and she knows she is not to do it in the house. Some dogs you can put a diaper on, mine I could not. I know it can get frustrating, but she is your best friend. Hug her, love her and treat everyday as it is the last. I hope this helps.

[u/mastermiky3 → u/Such-Extreme-5833]

The thing is it's only at night and she goes at the same spot every time it's not all nighta but enough time in the couple last month's to have me question what's going on. She sleep in my room or with my oldest son (all the rooms are in the basement) and she let herself go upstairs in front of the backyard door. It looks volontary to me and my wife because she deliberately go upstairs, shit and comme back down like nothing is going on. And like a said above it's not like I dont take her outside plenty of time.

[u/Such-Extreme-5833 → u/mastermiky3]

I remember with mine she would come in from the backyard and poop right in front of the door. She did this only 2 times. It does not sound like the same as mine. She is going upstairs and to the door, telling you she needs out.

[u/mastermiky3 → u/Such-Extreme-5833]

I would let her out if she wake me up. I swear I would prefer she bark and wake up my 3yo and 2yo so we can let her out then having to pick up poop in the morning.

Edit: and I know she came back down stears after the poo because I have to step over her every morning to get out of my room.