So Rico's been doing pretty well except for one little thing....he won't poop....

This dog has seriously only pooped TWICE since since Saturday (both soft but solid and easily picked up). At first I figured it was because he didn't have anything in him (wouldn't eat the Science Diet food he came with) but he's had two full meals (chicken and rice) since his last poop and still nothing....he'll pee (we've almost got him down to urinating on command) but no poop. We're getting a bit of stinky dog gas....but nothing else. He's been exercised a lot, walked frequently....but still nothing.

I know he only got out once a day at the shelter and supposidly he never was one to go in his kennel...I"m wondering if he's SOOOO conditioned to only go once a day that he won't go or is something else is up. I know stress can cause loose stool, but no stool?

Should I be concerned yet? He's not showing any signs of discomfort, belly is normal, eating and drinking normally, everything is outwardly normal....no vomiting, gaging, any of that.

And for those of you who don't know. Rico's a ~1 year old 55lb mix. Came home from shelter Saturday.

Is there anywhere to let him off leash? I know some dogs that won't poop on leash. At all. I was camping with a past dog once and the poor thing held it for 3 days, before exploding while in the boat.

I wouldn't worry too much, yet. Give him time to settle in.

EWWWW must have not been so fun to clean up that boat...I'll home Rico doesn't hold it until he explodes...there is no hose in the complex...everything must be scrubbed inside by hand, including crates....

Unfortunately we've got no place for him to be off leash time at the moment (just on a long line)....we've got the OMG YOU POOPED party ready to go (we're going to try to teach him to poop on command like Ryuk does)....but there's just nothing to celebrate XD

I've never had a dog so determined NOT to poop....I walked him in the rain for WAY to many 15-30 minute breaks today....and nothing....he pees right away (btw, I HATE the boy squat.....pees on his front legs EVERY.....SINGLE.....TIME >_< know anyway to encourage leg lifting?) but nothing else.....

 Quote: Jamie Craig

(btw, I HATE the boy squat.....pees on his front legs EVERY.....SINGLE.....TIME >_< know anyway to encourage leg lifting?) but nothing else.....

KOENIG DOES THAT TOO!!!!! It makes me want to cry. Even when he does lift his leg, he still manages to hit a front leg anyhow. It's terrible. Then when we come inside he's got to lick and lick and lick and lick and lick, cause he's covered in urine. Ewwww.

My 7 month old puppy does that too. I hope he learns to lift his leg ... my female did all the time. Meanwhile, I have been using unscented baby wipes.

Jamie I have had foster dogs that don't poop for days at a time as well so don't be too worried yet. I will warn you to keep an eye on him when he is loose in the house(which I'm sure you do already) because I have found that the ones who don't like to go on a leash can be quick about it when off leash in the house.

I don't know about anyone else but I have found the chicken and rice diet to have very strong binding qualities with my two dogs. I won't go into the details, but I have had both of mine on chicken and rice several times over the last few months. Each time, when I start them on it, they go right from diarrhea to no poop at all for a good three days. I have found myself right on the verge of calling the vet and then we finally get a poop.

If the poops are soft logs and there is no straining I wouldn't be too concerned. Consider adding a probiotic capsule or two into the meal. The good bacteria help in keeping the digestive tract moving.

Well, he's never off leash at this point (we're treating him like a 10 week old puppy....which seems to be the right idea...he's VERY immature mentally). They extent of his "off leash" is about 4 feet between the door of his crate on my bedroom door (I use my body and the crate door to block the rest of the area off). I'm keeping a close eye on his in the desk. He is housebroken, been VERY good at letting me when he know when he wants out (just this morning we finally broke the 6AM pee routine....I'm out of school, I"m up until 4-5am and get up at 11-Noon....6am was no working)

He's doing great with everything else. He can stay quiet in the crate up to 20 minutes while I leave the room, we'll be trying out leaving the house today (and camping under the back window to see if he eventually is quiet). I let him hang out off leash in the room last night (no drag) fenced in the corner and he and Ryuk actually curled up together. He also willingly curled up in his crate with the door open last night

We're supposed to talk to the shelter behaviorist/trainer for the first time today....we're not sure how to talk to her....EVERYTHING in the evaluation was off....we're almost the polar opposite of the home she suggested for him (all we need is some kids XD) and he's conformed EXACTLY to my to original analysis and has been PERFECT. Final adoption papers will go through today as well....we get 6 weeks of free training classes.....but we're not sure if their way is the best way for him to learn...especially since the entire shelter staff seems to be afraid of him....

If you are desperate to do poop training and the dog will permit this you can insert a glycerin suppository or a vaseline lubricated kitchen match into his rectum. He will then poop after a few steps, but this may not be the bonding experience which you are trying to achieve.