How to Stop Your Dog From Pooping in the Garage
Looks like your dog has left you another little “present” in your garage! What’s going on? Why does your dog poop in the garage? Is there something about it that they like in there? Why has your dog started pooping on concrete? Does it mean that they’re mad at you or at something else?
Well, wonder no longer, because today we’re going to answer all of your questions about this nasty issue. Soon, you’ll be able to go into your garage without staring down at the concrete floor the whole time to watch your step! So let’s not delay any longer, and get to our article on how to stop your dog from pooping in the garage.
How to Stop Dog Pooping in the Garage
To stop your dog pooping in the garage, make a 50/50 mix of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, then squirt it onto a mat where your dog enters the garage. This should keep your dog from going in the garage to poop as they don’t generally like the smell at all. Be careful about spraying it directly on the concrete as it could make things slippery and dangerous.
This should give you time to address your dog’s underlying anxiety issue which is ultimately causing all of this. And before we can do that, we should first go over what makes dogs function, and has for thousands and thousands of years.
Dogs are pack animals, and in every pack, there is a pack leader. When your dog poops in the garage and shows other signs of struggles with anxiety, they’re essentially telling you that they don’t fully trust you in this role. If they did, they would feel calm and secure, they would go where they’re supposed to, and they would listen to your commands at all times.
Once you’ve shown your dog that you are not just their pack leader — but a capable one worthy of respect — your dog will stop pooping the garage. Your dog will be freed of all their stress and anxiety. And your dog will be happier and more obedient than you ever thought possible!
That all sounds great, right?
“Sure, but how exactly do I do this?”
You should watch an excellent free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is about this very subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In his series, Dan will show you everything you need to know in ways that are very simple to understand and teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you’ll start seeing results before you know it.
Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t get worried, because you’re not going to have to yell or be mean to your four-legged friend. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving teaching methods at all times. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.
Why Does My Dog Poop in the Garage?
Your dog poops in the garage because they are experiencing anxiety, and going somewhere that is a bit closed-off from everything makes them feel safe while they go. It’s likely the garage also carries your scent, which helps them feel secure. Dogs descended from wolves and still feel at home in dark, less trafficked areas.
It’s also possible that your dog is experiencing irritable bowel syndrome, and knew they wouldn’t be able to make it outside, so they pooped in the garage to try and not get in trouble. If your dog is looking bloated and experiencing diarrhea, this is a likely explanation. You should then pay a visit to your vet for a check-up.
There’s also just the fact that many dogs enjoy going on hard surfaces, particularly if they were trained somewhere like this as a pup. If this is the reason why your dog poops in the garage, then you’ll probably also see them going on other hard areas they shouldn’t, like the patio or the kitchen floor.
But the most likely of all these is still that your dog is feeling anxious before they go, which is why they’re retreating to somewhere that’s away from everyone. You may also see them pooping in the closet, pooping in shoes, or even pooping in the shower. All of these either carry your scent, are closed-off areas, or both.
To stop your dog from pooping in the garage, the only permanent solution for this is to use behavioral training, though we can help you with a temporary fix while you’re working on that. Go back to the first section where we covered each of these.
Why Has My Dog Started Pooping on Concrete?
Your dog has started pooping on concrete because it’s usually found in safe areas where they can feel secure while they go. Many dogs also just enjoy going on hard surfaces, so they’ll seek out spots like the garage or back patio.
If this is an unusual thing for them and their poops are runny, then they’re probably experiencing digestional issues. They may not have time to seek out just the right spot (by sniffing) on the grass like they normally would, so they try and find the first place that they hopefully won’t get in trouble.
Is My Dog Mad if They’re Pooping in the Garage?
Your dog is not mad if they’re pooping the garage. Dogs do not engage in revenge pooping, so when your dog poops in the garage it doesn’t mean that they’re angry at you or anything else.
I’m sure you’re ready to quit finding nasty little surprises in your garage, so I’ll let you get started on things now. Best wishes, and thank you for reading our article on how to stop your dog from pooping in the garage.