formerly housetrained dog

[Amber]

Hi--I have two questions about my dog...hope maybe someone can help.

My dog, Dolly, is 2 years old, a Jack Russell and (I think) Basenji mix. I love her to death....she's the sweetest thing, and generally well behaved. Here's the problem: Since she was 4 months old, she was perfectly housetrained. NEVER an accident. But the last couple of months, she has started pooping in one area of my apartment. I've cleaned it, gotten rid of the smell, but she continues to do it. Also, she's done this a few times at my fiance's house. I don't understand why! I started college and have been working more hours, so I thought maybe this was her way of getting attention or something. But she will do it when I am home, without asking to go out. Even when I have taken her outside for her walk, it still happens. I have never caught her in the act, but afterwards I have punished her. She knows it's naughty, too, because when she sees me going to look in that spot, she will run and hide. lol.
Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions about why she may be doing this or what I can do about it??

One more question about her. When I have guests over, or she sees someone outside, she just goes into a barking frenzy. She will NOT calm down or quit barking. I know she wouldn't bite, she's scared to death of people is the reason she does this. But it's very frustrating to have her be so aggressive towards company and not listen to me. Now, she will *usually* settle down and be nice after they have been there several minutes, but that's not acceptable. Is there any way I can train her to not be like this??

Thanks for any help you can give. Sorry this post got so long!

[originalfatc]

Dogs act out for a variety of reasons, they hate change, sometimes negative attention is better than no attention, it takes alot of thinking to figure out what triggers the new behavior. First, of course, any medical reason needs to be ruled out.

The next step is to outfox the dog lol. A dog will not poop where they eat, for instance, I placed a food bowl (with a handful of food in it) where they used to poop. Another time I rewarded with a treat every time they eliminated outside and totally ignored them when they goofed inside. Withdrawing my attention, even looking at them, bothered them more than disipline.

I guess you have to try different things. Good luck!

[Top Dog]

Your dog is suffering from stress.
Every dogs will show signs of stress differently, all people will show signs of stress differently(not comparing dog to humans) but some people will bite their nails, like some dogs will chew themselves into holes. Some people will throw things around like some dogs will become very distructive. Do you become nervous just before a test and run to the bathroom more? Well some does do this when nervous. This sounds like your dogs way of releaving stress, probably the change in enviroment has stimualation this. And the worse thing you could do is get angry with her for this, this will only stress her/him out more. Seek out a behaviourist and get help outwise this may stress you out and the both of you will need help.,