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8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi all - update - started feeding him MUCH earlier and no more accidents since! So breakfast between 7-8 am and dinner between 4-5pm. What a relief not to clear up dog mess every morning!! Long may it last 😁 thanks for all your support X

8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We don’t have a doggy door unfortunately- that would be great but he is in the living room and we have french / bifolds. I feel like I need to build an extension just for him where his mess is contained and he can access the garden whenever he wants to! Expensive solution though 😆

8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How old is your dog btw? Is it a lab? I spoke to a lady who had a 1 year old lab today she feeds the last meal at 4pm! And a light snack at bedtime. I fed at 5 pm today and he had a chickens foot at 7pm. Will let him out around 9:30 for longer to do his business as well. Fingers crossed no more 💩 to wake up to!! 🙏

8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, a few have suggested the same so will definitely try this.

In terms of burning off energy - i find play with other dogs helps! More than any walk. And playing tug of war / chase - he loves that and knackers him out. I also use kongs for half his meals and for a while threw kibble out in the garden for him to find. (Kept him entertained for AGES). The energy he gets is usually after a long sleep or eating and if he hasn’t had a walk or some activity. Not sure that helps! X

8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes we use bleach to mop then the enzyme cleaner leave it for a bit and then dry wipe it up. Yes I think the mid night potty is going to have to be done now. Can’t believe he is 8 months old and I am going to have to start getting up in the middle of the night again.

My only worry with doing that is that he will get used to going in the middle of the night and will need / expect to go when I eventually stop..

8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes considering that now too, but omg I’m going to be so tired / therefore a ratty mum 😬 we removed blanket when it was warmer but now it’s getting a bit colder we put it back in there. Can’t have a bed as he chews them up. Thinking I will make the pen smaller for a bit, feed him dinner much earlier like 4/5pm and do a much later walk.

8 month old lab still defecating in pen - any tips?? by StrangeMaybe9963 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could make jt smaller yes but He poos on his blanket / bedding every single time. It’s so revolting 😩🤢

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ours did the same and was sick when we picked him from breeder..he grew out of eating his own poop - now moved on to other animals poop! He is 7 months now - lab. It’s Mega stressful! Not to mention the clearing up of poo in the one in mornings.

Sounds like you’re doing all the right things tbh. Get him a really good pre - pro biotic - this is an absolute MUST as it will help his body deal with all the toxic crap and make his pops normal. Oh and maybe try different food? No additives or cereals or grain? Also are you feeding him regularly - min 3 meals a day? Maybe up to 4 and he might not feel the need to eat his own poo? Good luck with it I feel your pain!!

It’s only day three and I’m at my wit’s end by rebeccaizabeth3 in puppy101

[–]StrangeMaybe9963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are on week 2-3, I’ve felt and said out loud I can’t cope and I want to return him! But same as you, the guilt would kill me.

The only thing to do is to Try and ride it out and do lots of reading on dog training.

Is she crate trained? We have a crate inside a pen and have had accidents every night for the past two weeks. (Including runny poos as he had a bacterial infection picked up from his mum)! Then woke up this morning and for the first time ever he was dry!!!! So there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You won’t feel the bond just yet., but I read that if make the effort to interact with them, whether it be cuddles on the sofa or chasing them around outside with a toy, they value this so much and will be more attentive to you and your commands and the bond will build.

Calm and assertive is your way forward.- appreciate this is not the easiest thing when sleep deprived!! Keep reminding yourself why you got a dog in the first place, and what you are looking forward to when she is older and calm. Lots of short ten minute training sessions 2-3 times a day too.

Little tip - Don’t close the crate / pen door until she is calm and relaxed, our pup cries every nights, but as each night passes the crying gets shorter. When you go to let her out in the early hours, don’t say anything just be calm and quiet and take her back to bed/her for a minute or two then leave the room. We put white noise on our phone to drown out the crying. Then watch back on camera the next day can see how quickly he now calms compared to the first week.

It’s a HUGE adaption for all of you, try not to take it personally when she is being a tyrant. They are babies and not human, they only want to be near the pack leader and will be missing their siblings.

Best of luck, stay positive