There are a few possible reasons for your dog to poop in your shoes. This behavior could be caused by separation anxiety, stress, or changes in your dog’s regular routine.
But no matter what the reason is, don’t give up! Here are some solutions to your dog’s shoe-poop problem. The most common solutions are: activated charcoal, baking soda, and WD-40. If none of those work, try a change in routine. Hopefully, one of them will work for you!
Here’s Why Your Dog Poops in Your Shoes
Changes in routine
There are several common reasons why a dog will poop in shoes, and it may be because of a change in routine. Dogs thrive on routine and can become extremely sensitive when there are changes to their routine. If you notice that your dog is pooping in your shoes, it may be time to discuss a change of routine with your veterinarian. This can help you to determine if there is anything more serious going on with your dog.
Before attempting to change your dog’s routine, try to eliminate any possible causes of stress. If your dog has recently gone potty outdoors, it may have been startled by the doggy door flap. Your dog might have also felt uncomfortable and safe outside, but it needed to urinate in a controlled environment.
Try to keep an eye on your dog at all times, and coax her outdoors as soon as she needs to go. When you do manage to get your pup outside, always make sure to reward her with a treat.
Marking
If you’re wondering why dogs poop in shoes, there are several causes. One reason may be separation anxiety, which can cause your dog to poop in certain areas of your house. Another reason could be boredom. Your dog might be looking for attention and needs to relieve itself.
Regardless of the cause, here are a few things you can try to stop your dog from pooping in your shoes.
What To Do if Your Dog Poops in Your Shoes
Activated charcoal
You might wonder what activated charcoal does. It is a popular home remedy for absorbing smells, and it can help get rid of dog poop odor in shoes. Activated charcoal is a substance that bonds with various toxins. Therefore, it is important to use it as soon as possible after a dog has ingested a noxious substance.
The main advantage of activated charcoal is its large surface area, which increases its absorption capacity. You can purchase activated charcoal tablets, liquid suspensions, and powder. The liquid form works better in cases of poisoning than tablets, and the powder form is easier to store. If you’re a dog owner, you might want to use activated charcoal as a shoe deodorant, since it can eliminate the odor completely.
Baking soda
A dog poop problem can be solved using a simple solution – baking soda. While the substance is most commonly used for baking, it has a variety of uses. Its rising properties make it a common ingredient in baked goods. When combined with acid, baking soda forms a paste that can be added to batter or mixed into other materials. The result is a mixture that rises, releasing carbon dioxide (C02) bubbles. And because it’s edible and safe to use, it’s also a great cleaning agent for all kinds of jobs. You can even use it to remove paint and kill cockroaches.
Besides baking soda’s cleaning properties, it can also be used as an odor remover for your dog. For this purpose, try Nature’s Miracle. This product contains enzymes that neutralize odors in dogs. Puppies are known to form a substrate preference at around 8.5 weeks old. This is because they develop a preference for certain surfaces for urination.
WD-40
Many dog owners swear by the cleaning properties of WD-40, the multipurpose lubricant best known for its cleaning abilities. Simply spray the poop-covered area with WD-40, allowing it to soak in. Then, use a brush or rag to brush the poop out of the shoes. Once the poop has been removed, rinse the shoes thoroughly.
You can also use an old toothbrush or an all-purpose cleaning product to remove the dog poop from shoes. However, this solution only works if the poop is small and hard to remove. Otherwise, you should avoid washing the shoe altogether. If this doesn’t work, you can use WD-40 instead. It is a great solvent and is often used to clean rusted or loosen hinges. Simply spray WD-40 into the affected area and allow it to soak in. Once the poop is removed, you can brush out the shoe with a cleaning brush or toothbrush.
Urination while on-leash
If your dog urinates while on-leash, stop what you’re doing and let them relieve themselves. Dogs on-leash typically put on the brakes and assume a “position” when they need to eliminate, so it’s important to stop when you see your dog doing this. Be sure to distinguish between urination and marking, though. A dog urinates when he stops and pees on a flat surface.
Using a positive approach is best. Instead of giving a yelling comment or walking away, give your dog a treat or some other reward. Using positive reinforcement is essential to teaching your dog not to perform this undesirable behavior. Avoid demonstrating frustration or anger to your dog, as this could confuse him and make the situation worse. Instead, try to redirect his attention and build his confidence. If you have no patience, consider getting help from a dog trainer or other trained to address this problem.