If you’re wondering how to punish a dog for pooping in the house, you’ve come to the right place. Punishment is a hot topic in the dog world, and many of us grew up with old-school methods like hitting a dog with a rolled-up newspaper or pushing a dog’s nose in their mess.

First, if you have a dog pooping or peeing in the house, it is vital to ensure you have a canine odor cleanser on hand. Secondly, it’s vital to look at your dog’s training and whether your dog has any health issues causing incontinence or severe diarrhea (like pooping clear liquid).

If your dog is pooping in the house at night, you also want to see our article on locking a puppy in a crate at night. To help us more with this topic, we will refer to Karen Davison’s Complete Guide To House Training Puppies And Dogs.

So, Should you punish a dog for pooping in the house?

You should not punish a dog for pooping in the house, aside from a firm “no” if you actually catch your dog in the act. Dogs can’t understand the concept of punishment in the same way that humans do. Yelling, hitting, or physically punishing a dog can cause fear, anxiety, and even aggression.

Punishing a dog for going potty in the house can also lead to the dog hiding their waste or only going potty when they’re outside of the owner’s sight. This is called avoidance, and it does not solve the problem.

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So to be clear, if you see your dog or puppy pooping, you can correct them by saying “no” and taking them outside immediately. Anything more than that is going to cause issues. We will discuss the appropriate way to deal with pooping indoors below.

Instead of punishing a dog, it’s important to focus on positive reinforcement training and to look for any underlying causes that may be causing your dog to lose control of their bowels.

Reward your dog with treats, praise, and affection when they go potty outside. This will reinforce good behavior and encourage them to continue going outside. If your dog does have an accident inside, it’s important to clean it up thoroughly to remove any scent that might encourage them to go to the same spot again.

Additionally, it’s important to consider whether the dog has been properly trained to go outside and if they are being given enough opportunities to go outside throughout the day. If the dog is not getting enough opportunities to go outside or is not properly trained, it may have accidents inside. In this case, it’s important to work on their training and ensure they have regular opportunities to go outside.

What are the Dangers of Punishing Your Dog for Pooping in the House?

If you are googling, “My dog poops and pees in the house, what is the appropriate punishment?” Then know that research shows that punishment is not good for dogs.

Punishing a dog has several negative effects that can have long-lasting impacts on their behavior and well-being. These include:

Fear and Anxiety:

Punishing a dog can cause them to become fearful and anxious. This can lead to many unwanted behaviors, such as cowering, hiding, or growling.

Aggression:

Dogs that are punished may become aggressive towards their owners or other people. This can be a result of feeling threatened or as a way to protect themselves.

Avoidance Behavior:

Punished dogs may begin to avoid certain situations or people, which can make it difficult to train them or live a normal life.

Damage to the Relationship:

Punishing a dog can damage the relationship between the dog and their owner. This can make it more difficult to train the dog and can lead to other negative behaviors.

Reinforcement of Negative Behavior:

Punishing a dog can reinforce negative behaviors rather than stop them. For example, if a dog is punished for barking, they may continue to bark as a way to get attention.

Now, before we get to how to deal with a dog pooping in the house, we need to identify why the dog may be pooping in the house in the first place.

an infographic showing the various behavioral, medical, and environmental reasons why dogs might poop indoors

Why is My Dog Pooping in the House? 6 Reasons

There are several reasons why a dog may poop in the house, including:

Lack of Proper House Training: A dog that has not been adequately trained to go potty outside may not understand that going inside the house is not appropriate.
Medical Issues: If a dog is experiencing medical issues, such as diarrhea or an upset stomach, they may not be able to hold their bowel movements and may have accidents inside the house. Spinal issues and a number of severe conditions also cause fecal incontinence. Some dog breeds like Corgis may develop physical problems like a perineal hernia that causes fecal incontinence too.
Anxiety and Stress: A dog that is experiencing anxiety or stress may have accidents inside the house. This could be due to separation anxiety when left alone, fear of loud noises, or changes in the environment or routine.
Marking Territory: Some dogs may mark their territory by pooping inside the house, particularly if they feel their space is being invaded by another pet or person.
Age-Related Incontinence: As dogs age, they may develop incontinence, which can lead to accidents in the house.
Lack of Access to Outside: If a dog is not given enough opportunities to go outside, they may have accidents inside the house. This is often the case at night if a dog tries to wake you up to go outside but fails. If they can’t hold it anymore, they will poop indoors.

It’s important to identify the underlying cause of your dog’s behavior before attempting to correct it. Punishing your dog for pooping in the house may make the problem worse, particularly if the behavior is caused by anxiety or stress. It’s best to work with a veterinarian or professional dog trainer to address any underlying medical or behavioral issues and develop a plan to help your dog learn appropriate potty habits.

How Do You Stop a Dog Pooping in the House?

1. Check for Health Issues

If your dog suddenly starts pooping indoors, consult a veterinarian to rule out medical problems. Dogs with spinal injuries or elderly dogs may lose bowel control and require doggy diapers.

2. Address Behavioral Issues

Identify and address underlying causes like separation anxiety or stress that may lead to indoor accidents.

3. Establish a Routine

Create a consistent feeding and potty schedule. Take your dog outside first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime. Praise and reward outdoor potty behavior.

4. Supervise Closely

Until fully trained, keep your dog in sight or confined to a crate or small area when unsupervised. If an adult dog has accidents due to lack of training, restrict their house access and restart house training.

5. Reinforce Good Behavior

Use treats, affection, and verbal praise to reward outdoor potty habits, encouraging repetition of desired behavior.

6. Clean Thoroughly

Use enzymatic cleaners on indoor accidents to eliminate odors that might attract your dog back to the same spot.

7. Avoid Punishment

Never punish your dog for indoor accidents. This can increase anxiety and worsen the problem. Focus on positive reinforcement instead.

8. Train Potty on Command

Teaching your dog to eliminate on cue can be helpful, especially for ensuring they go before bedtime or when on a schedule.

9. Seek Professional Help

If problems persist despite your efforts, consult a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for personalized guidance and support.

Remember that training a dog to go potty outside takes time and patience. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key to success. With time and effort, your dog can learn appropriate potty habits and be a well-behaved member of your household.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Spray to stop dogs pooping in the house: Are there scents that help?

There is no fool-proof scent that will stop a dog pooping in the house. There are smells that repel dogs sometimes, like citrus and mint. Cleaning up messes with non-ammonia odor repellent can also help discourage a dog from soiling in an area. In our article on smells that dogs hate to pee on, we discuss what scents may stop a dog from messing indoors, why we shouldn’t rely on them, and what to do instead.

Do dogs that poop in the house eat the poop to not get punished?

Dogs may sometimes eat poop to “hide the evidence,” but usually, dogs eat poop when they are indiscriminate eaters.

Final Thoughts

It’s essential to remember that dogs do not understand punishment in the same way that humans do, so we should never punish them for using the bathroom. They respond best to positive reinforcement and reward-based training.

Focusing on positive reinforcement encourages good behavior and builds a strong, positive relationship with your dog. If you are having difficulty with training or behavior issues, it’s important to seek the advice of a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

Meet Your Experts

Tamsin De La Harpe

Author

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.