We’ve had our 6-year-old dog since she was a few weeks old, and she’s always been well-behaved and potty-trained herself early on. We keep our dogs in an outdoor kennel, only bringing them inside at specific times. Our dog never had accidents indoors until recently.
Less than two weeks ago, she peed on a doormat. We thought it was a onetime thing since another dog had already marked that mat. However, two days ago, she peed on a clean mat, and yesterday, she peed on the floor. We also discovered she had pooped on the bed in the spare bedroom in the past week.
This behavior is very unlike her. Does anyone know why she might be doing this and how we can get her to stop? Our only other option is to limit her indoor time to shorter, fully supervised periods.
There are several potential reasons why a previously well-behaved and potty-trained dog might start having accidents indoors: They include:
Medical issues: Health problems such as urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal issues, or even joint pain can cause a dog to have accidents indoors. A visit to the vet can help rule out any medical conditions.
Stress or anxiety: Changes in the household, such as new pets, visitors, or even changes in routine, can cause stress or anxiety in dogs, leading to accidents.
Environmental changes: If there have been changes in her outdoor environment, such as new animals or noises, she might feel uncomfortable going outside.
Aging: As dogs get older, they might experience weakening muscles or cognitive dysfunction, which can lead to accidents.
Behavioral Issues: Sometimes, dogs might start marking territory indoors, especially if they sense other animals have been in the house.
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Having raised our 6-year-old dog since she was a few weeks old, we’ve always prided ourselves on her well-behaved nature and early potty training. She lives in an outdoor kennel and only comes inside at specific times. Recently, she unexpectedly started having accidents indoors, which is very out of character for her. Less than two weeks ago, she peed on a doormat, then again on a clean mat, and recently on the floor. We also found she had pooped on the bed in the spare bedroom. This sudden change in behavior concerns us. We suspect it could be due to a health issue or stress. We’ll take her to the vet for a check-up and, in the meantime, limit her indoor time to shorter, fully supervised periods to prevent further incidents.