Congratulations! You’ve just had a baby, a bundle of joy that will have everyone’s attention and admiration for the next couple of years. It is no secret that babies need attention, but dogs want it just as much. You will probably have a jealous canine housemate when a new baby is in the family.
Our pets love to have all the attention; you can’t even pet another dog for too long without the customary whines and low-pitched barks that signify envy. So, when everyone focuses on the baby, the green-eyed monster will rear its head in your dog and may make him misbehave, such as pooping in the house or at odd hours. This is likely your situation if you are reading this article. Is your dog pooping in the house suddenly right after you have had your new baby?
It can be pretty bothersome because it indicates an additional chore, considering that dogs use the bathroom one to five times daily, depending on their age. Keep reading if you are tired of a smelly house and additional tasks because your dog is suddenly pooping indoors. You will understand why and how to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand.
Why Is My Dog Pooping in The House After the New Baby?
Attention seeking – this is one of the primary reasons your dog is pooping in the house after the new baby. Unless there is an incredible coincidence that your pet develops fecal incontinence at the same time your baby comes home, Fido is jealous and wants some attention too. Dogs poop because of emotions like fear, excitement, and jealousy. If your pet is not getting as much affection as he is used to, he will misbehave to get your attention again.
Okay, let’s talk about a couple of health conditions that may cause your dog to poop in the house after the baby. Of course, chances are it will be too coincidental that he is developing this condition just as the baby arrives home, but it never hurts to have a veterinarian confirm your fears. Fecal incontinence is when a dog cannot control his bowel muscles, caused by aging or parasitic infection. If these conditions are unlikely, pooping in the house may result from environmental factors.
Maybe you have been so preoccupied with the new baby that you barely have time to help your pet to the bathroom. A dog can hold his poop for eight to ten hours, after which he will do it wherever he can. If you are too occupied taking care of the baby, you can forget to take your dog out, which can cause a bathroom accident. It could also be a change in his diet, but most likely, it is a stress response.
Is This Common in Dogs After Having a New Baby?
Inappropriate urination and defecation are common in dogs after having a baby. They don’t do it because it is fun or they want to stress you, but often because they don’t have a choice. This is a massive change that a dog may not fully comprehend immediately, especially if he is used to being the center of attention. He may experience a setback in his training as a response to the stress.
Changes in the household can cause your pet to revert to old bathroom habits. It can be caused by emotions like jealousy, fear, or even excitement. And anxiety may also be the reason, especially if your pet doesn’t understand why he is not getting as much attention; this may even cause him to act aggressively towards the baby. Speaking of which, it is not a great idea to leave your dog alone with your baby unless you trust his temperament.
But again, if your pet is pooping in the house because he is jealous of the new baby, the last thing you want to do is aggravate this belief. A dog would act jealously if he does not get enough attention and feels left out. Find a way to make him feel included and don’t trigger jealous emotions in him.
How Do I Stop This Behavior?
You can stop your dog from pooping in the house by housetraining him again. He has probably forgotten his training, which you can help him remember by giving him treats when he is good. Pooping in the house also means that is the most convenient option, a mentality you can correct by taking him on more frequent potty breaks.
Have you also identified the reason your pet is pooping in the house? Is it fear, jealousy, excitement, or anxiety? You may also be the cause, especially if you are too busy to help him with his potty breaks. Once you discover the reason, apply the most suitable solution.
It is also best to avoid hitting your dog or yelling at him. This will increase or cause anxiety; he can become afraid of pooping in front of you, even when you take him outside. Another mistake you may have been making is failing to clean the urine well; if Fido catches a whiff of it with his string nose, he may think it is acceptable to do his business at that spot. So, clean with a strong disinfectant or until the smell vanishes.
Conclusion
Some of the stories dog owners exchange now and then are about their dog pooping in the house after baby or new addition to the family. It can be a bother because that will surely stink up the place and become an additional chore, aside from caring for a baby. Note that you can curb this somewhat common behavior, but the one thing you should never do, is yell at or beat your dog for pooping in the house.
