Help with new rescue

Thanks Dr. Doug!

I would try the earlier feeding. Also, it probably would be a good idea to slowly go back to her previous food, lamb isn't bad or too much, it just may not be the best choice for her.

Also, don't be afraid to do some dry food even with few(or no) teeth. I've had huge numbers of patients that like and do well with some dry food even after losing all or most of their teeth. In this case, the added bulk and fiber in a dry food may help the digestive system work better.

I had taken her my vet when I got her and she had also had check up plus dental in June with the vets the rescue uses.

I have been feeding her between 5:30/6pm. I feed her wet food due to her having very few teeth. It is lamb. She was on turkey/sweet potatoes with rescue. She gave me two cans and I used them mixing some of the lamb in also. Now just lamb.

Her stools are soft but formed.

With it being the labor day weekend, I won't be able to get with my vet until Tuesday.

I am now wondering if the lamb is to much for her. I thought about the crate and probably will get one today, however, I really hate that idea. Feeding earlier is no problem.

toedtoes, You make a lot of sense as far as a rescue.

Thanks everyone for your replies. This lady is very tired today.

I agree with the others to get her checked by a doctor and pretty much all the other ideas. While i'm not big on crate training as a general thing, in this type of situation I think it can be very helpful.

The additional thing i'd offer is that there is a "testing period" that most rescues go through in a new home. They exhibit a watered-down version of themselves for the first 2-6 weeks because they don't know how you will react. As they become comfortable with you and see that you are consistent in your love and behavior, they relax and start exhibiting their "normal" behavior. It's at this point that you often start seeing negative behaviors in that wonderful rescue.

On the positive side of that, she feels safe and comfortable with you enough to be herself.

But now you face the difficult task of breaking her of her bad habit. If you are feeding her late in the day, as dturn suggests, feed her earlier. I had a shepherd who had been bred repeatedly and she had accidents in the night - feeding her earlier stopped it immediately. She just didn't have the muscle control after all those litters.

I will also add that since it is just pooping and not peeing that it could be a behavioral issue not a physical issue. Pooping in YOUR bed could be a way of stating her place in the household (especially if there are other animals). A crate or even just a dog bed next to the bed could be enough to stop the behavior. Some dogs just get a bit confused about their place when they sleep on the bed with us - it's not a dominant thing, it's just confusing to them (and puppy mill dogs, backyard breeder dogs, etc., tend to have that confusion more than dogs raised in a more normal setting).

My first thought was to play around with her feeding time(s). But the fact that you've had her for a month and this is new behavior tells me that a vet check is probably in order. Unless something has changed in the last week -- different feeding or exercise schedule, changed food or treats, etc.?

What are you feeding her? When are you feeding her? Are the BMs normal? Does she know she's doing it or is it just coming out? Has this happened the whole time you've had her or just the last week.

Using a crate is a good idea. I'd also think about changing her feeding times and establish a routine that minimizes night BMs (no food after early afternoon). The idea of having her checked out (especially a stool check) is also a good one. A different food might also help.

That's kind of throwing out lots of different ideas, one or more may be useful. I'm sure others will have some more ideas.

Doug, DVM

Probably the first thing to do is to have her vet checked to make sure there isn't a physical reason. The vet may have some ideas.

I would start with a crate. They won't poop in their crate most likely. Once you get her trained, you can remove the crate if you wish.

The other option is to set your clock and get up in the middle of the night and let her out.

I would crate train to begin with. The dog probably has some anxiety about her new surroundings and the crate may be comforting. All the dogs I have crate trained have loved their crate. They feel safe there.

Dale