Messing in the house

Hi all, need a bit of advice please. Jackson, my 6 year old rescue, has been with me for just over a year. He's always been very well behaved and was completely house trained when I got him... that is, until recently! We've had a couple of accidents in the past when he's had an upset tummy and whilst I made it clear to him that is was unacceptable to do his business in the house, I didn't scold him excessively as he was obviously in need! However, last Thursday he went in the house (whilst my son was home!), and Friday he did too. Then he had the weekend with me and it was apparent he had the runs so I let it go, thinking he had just been desperate. Yesterday was fine but today, again, my son has got in from college and found a stinky present waiting for him. Jackson is walked every morning for an hour and has a poo pretty much every morning. He is also walked again in the evening and has another most days. He is left during the day from around 9am til 3pm so not excessively long, and has, in the past, been left a lot longer than that without any incidents. He always goes in the same place - right behind the front door - so he's obviously trying to get out, but it's making a hell of a mess of my hall carpet!! I don't want this to turn into a habit and I wondered if anyone could give me a bit of advice? Thanks.

I'd make sure there is no medical reason why he's doing this, it's worth a quick trip to the vet to check. Any time something changes and you can't explain it's worth making sure there is no underlying reason.

9 till 3 is quite a long time, is there no one who could pop in and let him out at all? Or might it be possible to get a dog walker? As you say, it does sound like he wants to go out but obviously can't, so creating that opportunity for him in the middle of the day would be ideal.

I certainly wouldn't be scolding him, though. He's not done anything wrong and scolding him, even a little, could make matters worse by creating a worry around pooing for him.

A wee quick check at the vet is in order as its unusual for a dog to make a mess for no apparent reason. Have you changed food or treats recently as this could also be a reason for mess.

What is he eating and what is the feeding times? 

During the day, much like people, dogs will empty their bowls and bladder more often. 6 hours is a quite long time.

Is the motion loose ? If so he probably can't help it and simply has to go in which case you'll need to figure out what's upsetting his Tum.

If it's solid, clean where he has been with a deodorising cleaner otherwise he will assume that's the place to go time and again.

I would agree with the posts above though, if the bowel movements are continually loose and food hasn't changed then a visit to the Vet would be wise.