Urinating or defecating in an inappropriate place

If your dog urinates and defecates in the house, even though they were initially trained to defecate outside, they may suffer from cognitive dysfunction. 

“After we run tests and rule out a bladder infection, kidney problems, or diabetes, then there’s usually been a cognitive change. If your dog is staring out at the sliding glass door and then poops in the house anyway, and it’s not because of bowel trouble; he’s lost the understanding that he should poop outside,” Dr. Petryk explains.

“Changes in house training are a common initial sign in some of our older dog patients. This may be due to decreased mobility in addition to confusion as to the ‘routine’ of going outside to potty. Dogs may forget or get confused about which door to use to go outside even though it has been a part of their routine for years,” said Dr. Wilson.