You’ve got so many chores to get done, and you don’t need to be stepping in your dog’s mess in the barn while you work. Why does your dog poop in your barn? Do dogs like the bad smells in the barn or is it something else? What smells deter dogs from pooping in the barn?

Today, we’ll get you all of the answers you need about this frustrating issue so you can get back to work. Most importantly, we’ll tell you how to stop your dog from pooping in your barn once and for all. So let’s not delay any longer and you the information you came here for. Keep reading below!

How to Stop Dog Pooping in the Barn

To stop dog pooping in the barn:

1. Make a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle.
2. Spray this on your dog’s favorite spot to go in the barn.
3. Once it’s dried in about an hour, the smell will go away for you but will still be detectable by your dog, and should deter them.
4. Learn your dog’s pooping schedule and keep an eye on them when they’ll need to go.
5. Put them on a leash around this time and lead them to the grass and wait for them to go.
6. When they do, reward them with pets, praise, and a small treat.
7. Ensure that anyone else who spends time with your dog is also following these steps.
8. Do not yell or get angry at your dog if they poop in the barn. Your dog is likely doing so due to anxiety, and this will only make their problem worse.
9. Be patient and consistent.

The combination of these methods and time should get your dog to stop pooping in the barn. You’ll still need, however, to address the underlying issue which was causing this in the first place, which is your dog’s anxiety. And to do that, we first need to quickly discuss what makes dogs function to begin with.

You’ve likely heard before that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader. But when your dog experiences anxiety around you and then responds by being disobedient and pooping in your barn, they are clearly telling you that they don’t completely trust you in this role.

If they did, they would stay calm at all times, respecting that you’ve got everything under control, even when you’re not home or with them. They would only poop where they’re supposed to, like on the grass. And they would obey your commands — and do so happily — at all times.

Prove to your dog that you are not just their pack leader — but a capable one who is worthy of respect — and you’ll be able to make all of these things happen.

You’ll win because your dog will quit pooping in your barn and other areas they’re not supposed to be going. But your dog will win too, because you’ll have freed them of all the stress and anxiety they’re currently lugging around on their little shoulders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

So it’s a win-win. Terrific, right?

“Of course, but how do I do this?”

You should watch an excellent free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this exact subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In his series, Dan explains everything in ways that are very easy to understand and teach to your own dog, and he gets immediately to the point so that you can start seeing these important results with your dog before things get any worse.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry, because no, you’re not going to have to yell or be mean to your four-legged farmhand. Dan never uses those types of methods. Not just because loving teaching techniques are the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

Why Does My Dog Poop in My Barn?

Your dog poops in your barn because they’re experiencing anxiety, and the barn is nice and closed-in and covered like a den, which makes them feel safe while they go. Dogs enjoy the bad smells found in a barn, and they can also detect your scent in there. Both of these things comfort them and help them relax.

It’s also possible that they’ve just gotten into the habit of going in there. If they spend a lot of time with you in the barn, then it would seem like a natural place for them to go. They’ve likely observed other animals doing it in the barn, so they started doing their business in there as well because it just makes sense to them.

Your dog can’t tell the difference between why it’s bad to go in the areas where you’ll be walking, and why it’s okay for the barn animals to go in their stall.

A lesser possibility is that your dog is having digestive issues, and when they’re in the barn with you and the urge to go hits them, they’re unable to get outside onto the grass in time. If you see signs of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) like this (diarrhea or constipation), ensure that your dog is eating a highly digestible diet with high soluble fiber content.

And while it may not seem like a big issue, you should not allow your dog to continue pooping in the barn. Doing so gives them the impression that they can go wherever they want, and they’ll soon be going in other places that will be even more of an issue for you.

You’ll find your dog is pooping in the work shed, pooping on your deck, and probably even pooping in your garage. Obviously, you don’t want to be finding little surprises to step on in any of these areas, so you should begin stopping their misbehavior now. Go back to the first section now where we’ll give you the exact steps to follow.

Do Dogs Like the Bad Smells in the Barn?

Dogs do like the bad smells in the barn. Dogs smell much better than we do, and are also attracted to the types of scents that we hate.

The bad smells in your barn would fit the bill well. What smells unclean and disgusting to us, is enticing to your dog.

What Smells Deter Dogs From Pooping in the Barn?

Vinegar deters dogs from pooping in the barn. They very much dislike its pungent smell, so placing it in just a few strategic areas of your barn should do the trick. Make a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar and spray it in the areas in the barn where your dog likes to go, and the entrance.

You can try just your dog’s favorite spot at first to make sure that it’s effective with your dog. Any smell that remains after spraying will go away and be undetectable by you once it’s dried in about an hour. Your dog, however, will still be able to sense it and in most cases will be deterred.

I’m sure you’re looking forward to getting things done without stepping in your dog’s mess in the barn, so I’ll let you get started now. Good luck with everything, and thank you for reading our article on how to stop your dog from pooping in your barn.