I've had my Malinois for about 6 months now--age 18 mos. I have an outdoor kennel (7x3?????) on an outdoor porch under roof. The kennel has a heated doghouse in it for the frigid days.

Since I've had him, he will poop in the kennel. Is there any way to eliminate this behavior?????? I work a long way from home, so the little guy is in there 10 hours a day. I don't expect he would hold peeing for that long.

Every morning we go for a 20-minute walk where he will poop. Then another 5-10 minute quick jaunt right before I leave for work. When I return, we do a quick 5-10 minute walk where he usually poops, then I get us ready for a run or hike. We are also working on behavior stuff 3-4 times a day and games at night.

He has gone 2 weeks without pooping in the kennel then I might see it 3 days in a row. I can't figure out any pattern.

I think his puppy years were quite messy (kennels weren't clean).

He is crate trained in the house; he sleeps all night without having to eliminate, so I'm quite sure he can hold it.

I have a party every time he poops outside; he even gets to jump up on me! Treats and a frantic little run/dance.

Is it just wishful thinking??

Honestly, 10 hours a day is a long time to ask him to hold it. Vader poops at least 3 times a day and he always has to go out around lunch time. Is there any way you could get someone to take him out for a potty break during the day? Plus, if he's peeing in the kennel he's going to think it's okay to poop in the kennel. He hasn't learned that his "den" is supposed to stay clean.

Holding it all night, and all day are 2 different things. You don't go to the bathroom all night when you're asleep, either I'm sure. Also keep in mind that food passes through dogs at a different (faster) rate than humans.

 Quote: angela breeden

I think his puppy years were quite messy (kennels weren't clean).

He was "trained" to use his kennel for elimination prior to you getting him, so it is going to take a lot of work to "retrain". Correcting an unwanted behavior is unfortunately, much harder than teaching it from the start.

The crate at night is different in that it is much smaller, plus his normal "cycle" may be such that he doesn't have to poop at night.

I would definitely hire someone to come let him out mid-day since you work too far away to do so yourself. Set the guy up for success! Best of luck. Keep in mind - he is trained that this is okay.

Thanks, all! I know it's a LONG time for him. It just means extra clean up time whenever it happens. I could have it a LOT worse, I'm sure.

What was the "bumper sticker" material from another thread? It's easier to teach them what you want than what you DON'T want? Something like that.

Olivia - Your signature pic cracks me up.

It's too long, and you have the proof.

I'd look for a dog-walker.. Remember that unless he has reliable poop walks, you are continuing to teach him that he cannot depend on relief and has to go in the kennel.

Phaedra is absolutely correct that having to poop while moving around and up is quite different from while sleeping.

You can also manipulate his schedule by keeping a log of poop time as it relates to feeding time and adjusting feeding time. The log you keep will show patterns that might explain the sudden incidents, too. Still, ten hours is pushing it. JMO.

He needs to perceive frequent reliable relief, and particularly since he had poop-in-kennel history, for him to grasp the concept of holding it a bit if necessary because he knows someone is coming.

Not diarrhea, right?