How do I stop my dogs disgusting new habit

[Newtothisstuff]

Border Collie is 10 months old had him since he was tiny. He's just started crapping and weeing all over the entrance mat to the front door.. It's not just at night, he will do it if I'm upstairs for longer than 5 minutes. It's infuriating me, my hallway stinks.
He has plenty of walks and access outside whenever he wants to.
I'm just confused at to what has started this an how I can get it to stop, I'm due a baby in less than 3 weeks, can't be doing with the stress right now and can't be having him crap everywhere with a new baby in the house !! Any ideas ???

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

I'm not an experienced dog trainer.....

But if it was me, I'd bin the mat and see if that makes a difference. He might be using it to scent Or mark his territory?

And as its not your actual floor, it might make doggy sense it poo and wee on something that's moveable iyswim.

Def don't tell dog off though. My friend had a pup and when it pooed she used to shout at the dog. The fog started eating the poo so it wouldn't get shouted at ( IMO)

Maybe just make more of an effort to really ott praise when he does his business outside?

Maybe attention seeking?

[Newtothisstuff]

That's my problem it's like a mat that's actually the carpet if that makes sense so it can't be taken up !!
I've put him in the kitchen tonight at least if he does it in there it's easier to clean up

[EdlessAllenPoe]

1. if you know you are going upstairs, can you put him out before you go up? (just until it breaks the habit)
   
2. or crate him for these times (or put out then crate)
   
3. make sure the mat is cleaned with non-bleach substances (bleach smells bit like wee, i hear washing powder works ok though)

[tazzle]

agree with throw the mat out ... and give it a good wash ...... also you can get spray to deter him using the area where he has scent marked.

apart from that...

is he being shut downstairs and what does he have to do ... eg plenty toys like kongs that will keep him occupied

it might be a form of seperation anxiety if he is very attached to you.

could he settle on his bed if he had something smelling of you ?

Bc not the easiest of dogs to keep entertained

[oreocrumbs]

If your baby is due, are you currently making changes in the house - un packing baby stuff and being all hormonal? This might be what is triggering it. I think the crate training may be the quickest way to go, along with reassurance and attention.

Also is he neutered? At 10 months if he is entire he may be getting all stroppy teenager ish and trying to assert himself as top dog.

Dogs are very perceptive to changes, and he will need some firm yet gentle handling to get him used to your new life with baby!

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Have to second crate training.

Wasn't keen on the idea at all when dh suggested it.

But it's her den and she loves it. And she's not done any accidents in the house for over a month now. And she won't do it in her crate.

Beau's 4 and a half months.

Also would give him his own Area and hideout for when baby does arrive. Somewhere to get some peace where he feels safe.

[MissBetsyTrotwood]

I know the sort of mat you mean and it's easy to replace them - most fitters should do it for very little. I think the mat has to go, sorry - we had this problem with a rug in the kitchen and it was only the disappearance of the rug and a strict toilet outing before the times he always did it that solved the 'protest wee' problem there.

[Newtothisstuff]

We crate trained him until about a month ago when he started crapping in his crate so we bought him a bed, put it in the same place etc.. I figured 10 months was old enough.. He's terrible with chewing things as well although only my things.. DH can leave his things all over the house and he won't touch them.. He literally started this mat thing last week.. I'm going out to get him some more new toys tomorrow as his usually last a couple of days before he kills them !! He has been so good with toilet training before now ! He gets his balls off next week, although I'm probably putting a bit too much faith in it haha the only other thing I worry about is he gets soooo jealous when anyone goes near DH, when dd1 is having cuddles he's practically trying to push between them.. Hopefully he will sense the whole baby thing and back off !!! Thanks everyone for the suggestios

[EdlessAllenPoe]

he needs to be asked to sit nicely or go to his bed if he is pushing imbetween your kids and DH. don't let him get away with it!