Schedule changes leads to poopy accidents

[Atingles10]

So recently at my job the largest union we have went on strike, almost 3 weeks ago actually. This lead to a schedule change for me. I was originally gone from 6am-4:30pm. I would make sure to walk my guy before work and then he had a dog walker during the day. Once I got home he'd have dinner around 6pm and then would poop around 7:30 before our 8pm bedtime. He was usually a 3 time a day pooper.

With my new schedule I'm gone from 2pm-12pm. This has lead to me taking him on some kind of adventures, even sometimes 2.5 miles in the woods before work and that part is fine. Where we are struggling is at night. In order to try to spread out the feeding, so he doesn't go too long in between meals my AMAZING dog walker comes at 7pm, walks him and gives him half of his dinner. When I get home around midnight he gets the rest of his dinner and then a walk.

The problem is many nights he won't poop on the walk with her and I'll even do a 30 min walk when I get home and no poop. A couple times this week I've been woken up to him getting out of bed and popping on the floor around 3am. I found out he even had an accident in his crate tonight, and I made sure he was taken care of before I left.

I realize they like a schedule and unfortunately for us both its out of wack right now, but any suggestions? Other than setting my alarm for a 2am poop walk? Lol. He's 2 and prior to this no accidents in the house or crate in forever. I am hoping we can go back to our normal routine sooner than later but there is no telling, it could be months and I won't lie mommies tired already

 

[AnnV]

Could you perhaps increase the amount of food during the morning/first half of the day hours and perhaps skip the meal around midnight?

But then he might need to go during the day when you're gone anyway, unless adjusted meals times/amount could get him to poop around 7pm when your walker comes. Then he might not need to go until next morning or before you go to bed? Sorry I don't have better suggestions.

 

[Atingles10]

I appreciate you helping me brainstorm! He gets 2 cups at around 11am or 12pm so I have thought of possibly moving that to earlier and having the dog walker just do a normal second 2 cup meal at 7pm. Again I'm curious if that's gonna leave him needing to poop before I'm home haha it's gonna be a trail and error thing i think for sure!

 

[AnnV]

Although impractical, but since your schedule is already compromised, a (smaller) meal immediately upon rising might help too? in addition to the 11am/noon meal? just a thought, since you mentioned there often was no poop at 7pm.
Of course usually it's first out and exercise, especially now when it's warm outside, then breakfast after, since they otherwise have to digest before exercise.
Good luck

 

[Lizbeli]

I work a similar schedule. I go in early evening, and get out of work late. However every dog is different. Jasper only poops twice a day, but I feed three times.

About 10am an hour after exercise, 2:30pm before I leave for work, 8pm when my significant other comes home. But he inly eats 2 3/4cups a day to keep him fit.

I would feed him morning and have the dog walker give a second smaller meal. My boy poops about 4hrs after his last meal. Your situation is kind of tough since he poops so much lol

 

[jazzies mum]

Just an observation I made when I changed the kibble I fed for a new (more expensive) brand. Jazzies poops were smaller and much better formed plus she now sometimes only needs to poop once a day. From things I have read here the raw feeding regimen makes for even smaller amounts of poop. Don't know if this helps at all. Just throwing it out there!

 

[AnnV]

Just an observation I made when I changed the kibble I fed for a new (more expensive) brand. Jazzies poops were smaller and much better formed plus she now sometimes only needs to poop once a day. From things I have read here the raw feeding regimen makes for even smaller amounts of poop. Don't know if this helps at all. Just throwing it out there!

I was going to suggest this also. I feed 100% raw in the AM, high quality kibble in PM. Poop just once a day and not a large amount

 

[Atingles10]

I was going to suggest this also. I feed 100% raw in the AM, high quality kibble in PM. Poop just once a day and not a large amount

I would love it if he only pooped once a day haha, he's usually a 2 or 3 time a day pooper.

I appreciate all the suggestions! With the weekend things went well and no accidents so I'm hoping as we head into week 4 of the new schedule he will continue to adjust and we figure it all out.

 

[Ravenbird]

Since you're heading into week 4 and it sounds like it's starting to work out, maybe it just took some time to adjust. Hopefully it's alls-well-that-ends-well now!
@jazzies mum what kibble are you on now? @AnnV what kibble are you using? I feed part raw also, but in the evening. Finding a kibble that makes a smaller poop is on my mind...

 

[AnnV]

@AnnV[/USER] what kibble are you using? I feed part raw also, but in the evening. Finding a kibble that makes a smaller poop is on my mind...

Nature's logic.

 

[jazzies mum]

Since you're heading into week 4 and it sounds like it's starting to work out, maybe it just took some time to adjust. Hopefully it's alls-well-that-ends-well now!
@jazzies mum what kibble are you on now? @AnnV what kibble are you using? I feed part raw also, but in the evening. Finding a kibble that makes a smaller poop is on my mind...

I use Blackhawk original adult, alternate between lamb and rice and chicken and rice. It might not be available over there though. Took a lot of research to find something with good quality animal products and healthy fillers, but boy did it make a HUGE difference to poop quality. It is about middle range in price but right up there in quality IMHO.

 

[Kaiser2016]

It will help if you can determine how long his meals take to digest. When we potty trained Kaiser, I used corn as an indicator. It comes out looking the same as it went in, so it’s easy to track the time.