Many dog owners have experienced the frustration of their dog happily peeing during walks, but then refusing to poop until they get back home. This can be confusing behavior, especially if you’ve potty trained your dog to eliminate outside. So what’s behind this picky potty preference?
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Common Reasons Dogs Pee But Won’t Poop Outside
There are a few common reasons why dogs pee but avoid pooping during walks:
- Preference for a familiar potty spot – Some dogs like to always poop in the same spot, like their backyard. The smell triggers them to go.
- Distraction outside – Your dog may get too distracted and forget to poop when out walking.
- Stress – Nervous dogs may refuse to poop in unfamiliar places.
- Marking – Male dogs like to pee small amounts frequently to mark territory.
- Urinary urgency – Peeing is a quicker process than pooping for dogs.
- Physical limitation – Some senior or disabled dogs find it hard to squat and poop outside.
- Health issue – Constipation, diarrhea, or other issues may prevent pooping.
Let’s explore these common reasons in more detail:
Preference for a Familiar Potty Spot
Many dogs like to poop in the same spot repeatedly. This may be a specific area of the yard that they return to out of habit. The smell of their previous feces triggers them to eliminate there again. So when out on a walk, they don’t have this familiar cue, which can inhibit them from pooping.
Distraction Outside
For some dogs, the exciting sights, sounds, and smells of the outside world can be too distracting. Their mind is busy taking it all in, so they forget to poop. But peeing requires less focus, so they will still do that. Try walking your dog in calm areas with minimal distractions to make it easier for them to poop.
Stress in Unfamiliar Areas
Many dogs feel stressed when in unfamiliar environments. This anxiety can prevent them from feeling comfortable enough to poop. But urinating is an instinctual behavior all dogs need to do regularly, so they will still pee. As they become more accustomed to pooping in diverse locations, this anxiety may fade.
Marking Territory
Male dogs have a strong desire to mark territory with small amounts of urine. So they want to pee frequently when out walking to spread their scent. In comparison, pooping is not for marking purposes. So your male dog may resist pooping until returning home.
Urinary Urgency
Dogs sometimes feel a strong, urgent need to urinate to empty their bladder. Holding pee is uncomfortable for dogs, so they will go quickly. Pooping is less urgent, so they may wait. Think of it like if you had to go to the bathroom – peeing could not wait, but pooping could.
Physical Limitation
Senior dogs with arthritis or mobility issues may find it difficult and painful to assume the squatting posture needed to poop outside. So they will wait until they get home where they have a familiar place. But again, peeing is simpler logistically so they can still do that.
Health Issues
Some health conditions like constipation, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, or gastrointestinal disease can cause abnormal elimination habits. Your dog may feel the urge to pee but not be able to poop due to medical issues. Check with your vet if this is a possibility.
Tips for Training Your Dog to Poop Outside
If your dog has established a habit of resisting to poop during walks, it will take consistency and positive reinforcement to re-train them. Here are some tips:
- Stick to a regular walking schedule – This establishes a routine for their bowels.
- Try not to rush during walks – Give them 10-15 minutes to find a spot and relax enough to go.
- Schedule extra pre-walk potty time – Let them out in the yard right before the walk to see if they need to go first.
- Use a cue like “Go potty” – Say it when they poop to associate the phrase with the act.
- Reward them immediately after outdoor pooping – Bring tasty treats on walks to reward desired behavior.
- Avoid punishment if they don’t poop – This can cause stress and make the problem worse.
- Walk them to their preferred backyard spot – They may connect that scent to pooping.
- Try a longer walk to stimulate bowels – 20-30 minutes of moving around can get things going.
- Stay calm if they don’t poop – Your nervous energy can make them anxious.
- Use enzyme cleaners to remove odors – Reduces indoor spots that prompt pooping there.
With time and positive reinforcement, you can re-condition your dog to become comfortable pooping during walks. But some stubborn pups may never fully kick the habit. So bring waste bags just in case they insist on waiting until returning home.
When to See the Vet
If your dog begins struggling with constipation or demonstrates signs of bowel distress like bloating, vomiting, or straining, then it’s time to get them checked by the vet. Some examples of issues that could impact their ability to poop include:
- Intestinal parasites
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Food allergies or intolerance
- Digestive enzyme deficiency
- Foreign object obstruction
- Rectal disorder
- Spinal injury or anomaly
A vet exam can diagnose or rule out these more serious medical problems. They can also provide suggestions for dietary adjustments, supplements, or medications to help regulate your dog’s bowel movements.
Signs it may be time for a vet visit include:
- Not pooping for over 48 hours
- Evidence of bloody stool or diarrhea
- Difficulty or pain when trying to poop
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Straining or whimpering when pooping
- Swollen or hard abdomen
- Weakening hind legs
- Unexplained weight loss
A persistent inability or unwillingness to poop outside the home can negatively impact your dog’s health. So don’t delay in consulting your vet if natural solutions like diet changes or behavior modification are not working.
The Takeaway on Pee vs Poop
It’s normal for dogs to prefer pooping at home versus outside during walks. But if they flat out refuse to poop outside, it likely stems from stress, distraction, physical difficulty, or habit. With time, patience and positive training methods, you can teach dogs to become comfortable pooping during walks.
But the biological process for peeing is different than pooping. Dogs need to urinate more frequently and urgently. So they may pee easily outside then wait until home to poop. It’s important to not punish dogs for this selective potty preference. Instead use rewards systems that make going outside appealing.
If health problems are causing pooping struggles, see your vet right away. They can assess if there is an underlying medical issue that needs treatment to get your dog’s bowel habits regular again.
While having a dog that refuses to poop outside can be frustrating, in most cases it is a manageable behavioral quirk. With a proactive positive training approach, you can teach new habits. But also learn their signals so you don’t miss opportunities for them to poop in preferred spots when back home.
Patience and meeting your dog’s needs will go a long way towards potty training success. Celebrate all outdoor progress, not just pooping, to boost their confidence. With time, those neighborhood walks may start including more pit stops thanks to your loving support.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Preference for a familiar potty spot | Some dogs like to poop in the same spot repeatedly due to habit and scent triggers. |
| Distraction outside | Exciting sights and sounds can prevent pooping during walks. |
| Stress | Anxious dogs may not feel comfortable pooping in unfamiliar places. |
| Marking territory | Male dogs pee small amounts frequently to mark but don’t need to poop as often. |
| Urinary urgency | Peeing is a quicker process than pooping when dogs need to go. |
| Physical limitation | Senior or disabled dogs may find it hard to squat and poop outside. |
| Health issue | Constipation, diarrhea, UTI, or other issues could affect ability to poop. |
| Training Tips |
|---|
| – Stick to a regular walking schedule to establish routine |
| – Don’t rush during walks |
| – Give pre-walk potty time in yard first |
| – Use a cue like “Go Potty” when they poop |
| – Reward with treats immediately after they poop outside |
| – Avoid punishment if they don’t poop |
| – Walk them to their preferred backyard spot |
| – Try a longer walk to stimulate bowels |
| – Stay calm if they don’t poop |
| – Use enzyme cleaners to remove indoor odors |
| Vet Visit Signs |
|---|
| – Not pooping for over 48 hours |
| – Bloody stool or diarrhea |
| – Difficulty or pain when pooping |
| – Loss of appetite |
| – Lethargy |
| – Straining or whimpering |
| – Swollen or hard abdomen |
| – Weak hind legs |
| – Unexplained weight loss |