Yellow lab pooping in house

spring_time

We have a 13 year old yellow lab.  He has always been on the more difficult side in terms of training. He has also been prone to urinating in the house. However, in the past two weeks, he has started pooping in the house.  We let him out whenever he needs to go, or so we think.  My DH changed his food a few weeks ago, but we changed it back and it isn't necessarily happening after he eats.  We have tried keeping him in another room when we leave, but he is doing it when we are home and even in the same room.  He does not give us any indication that he needs to go.  The only change is that DH was home sick for a week before Christmas, and the whole family has been home this week.  What could be causing this change in behavior?  Is it just age?  Is it because his routine is broken?  

I am at a loss as to what to do and my DH is ready to put him down. He says he has had a long life. Our dog can no longer go up stairs, he falls on the wood floors, and his hips are giving out.  He has definitely lost his pep.  I will admit I am not a dog person (our dogs belonged to DH when we met), but I do not think this is how we should treat a loyal companion for the last 13 years.  Any advice?

RedheadBaker

Have you taken him to the vet to rule out a medical reason for the new behavior? 

spring_time

That is the next step.  We moved five months ago, and haven't found a new vet yet.  Guess that is probably my job for this week.

River Pestie

If he is 13 yo, maybe he is bowel movement incontinent. 

I would definitely recommend getting him to the vet.

Good Luck! Please keep us updated.  

chrisnjay05212010

My guess is that its his age. My parents have a 13 year old mutt who was wonderfully potty trained and an angel of a dog. In her old age, she is started to go in the house, she is losing her hearing and sight. Her legs and hips are giving out. Its like she doesn't remember to ask to go out and its too late or cant hold it.  I would take him to the vet, they may be able to prescribe meds for the incontinence or give you some other options

a6a14173

My last dog had something similar to this.  As she got older, she lost the ability to tell when she had to go.  She would poop as she waled around the house, completely oblivious... it was weird.  She was in no pain other than that, so as gross as it is, it was something that we just learned to deal with.  We used a lot of disinfectant that year!

oparcm

We had a 12 year old lab/greyhound mix that had hip and leg issues. She began pooping in the house toward the end but it was because she was straining so hard to get up from a seated position that she would poop trying to get her legs moving.  She would go when she was outside but just the stress of trying to stand from that sitting./laying position caused it.  She got much worse and was in so much pain that we had to put her down.  I wanted her to have us there with her and did not want her to die at home alone.   Not saying that is what you should do but the poop may be related to the week hips.  It is painful to watch them age but we just need to be there for them. They are loyal to us.

Temp752290812504671

I am going to agree that is probably bowel incontence because of age. My almost 14 y/o lab has the same issue. It is gross and I have the world's cleanest rugs and floors because of it. He is otherwise relatively happy. He does lose his footing on hardwood and I have had to put down little area rugs to transition him and make him less anxious about it.