Let's start with the obvious: don't leave your clothes lying around! Putting your clothes away where your pooch can't reach them should solve a good deal of the problem. Unless, of course, you have a resourceful pooch who takes your clothes out of the hamper or dresser to use as poop pads. Now that you've done your part, it's time to figure why Rover's doing it and how to end the problem.
Tip #1 - As stated earlier, put your clothes away. This will accomplish two things. It will prevent Rover from pooping on them again. More important, it will tell you a bit about why he's doing it in the first place. If he goes out in search of something else you own (besides clothing) to use as a toilet, he might be trying to send you a message. Maybe he's upset because of recent changes in the household or your routine and behavior. He could be suffering from separation anxiety and pooping on your clothes because they smell like you. It doesn't sound like a demonstration of his love, but it might simply be stress making him do it.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Tip #2 - Give Rover a pee pad. If removing the clothes doesn't solve the problem -- he's now pooping on the bathroom rug, for example -- you need to give him an alternative place to go. Most pee pads have a special smell that attracts dogs. If you put one in your shower or the utility room, he'll probably start pooping on that rather than your clothes. If he doesn't, he may have a behavioral issue that needs veterinary attention.
Tip #3 - Walk him more often than you do now. A housebroken dog should be able to hold it until you're ready to go out with him for a bathroom break. If yours is not doing that, it could be that you need to walk him more often. He may be peeing on your clothes to hide the act. Young pups, energetic breeds and aging dogs might need three or more walks a day rather than two.
Tip #4 - Take Rover to the vet if his peeing continues. He might be feeling sick and pooping on your clothes as a means of communication: He's innately trying to get you to recognize his condition. According to WebMD, a dog that starts urinating or defecating regularly in the house, having never done so before, might be suffering from intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease or fecal incontinence.
By Tammy Dray
References
WebMD: Dog Pooping in House: Causes and How to Correct It
Pets.ca: Dog Poops in the House
The Dog Trainer: What to Do if Your Housetrained Dog Pees or Poops Indoors
About the Author
Tammy Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications including Woman's Day, Marie Claire, Adirondack Life and Self. She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.