New dog is going potty less and less often..... it's been 15 hours (lab, poop)

[SunInHair]

Our new dog from the shelter is going potty less and less often every day. Today it has been 15 hours since he went! He doesn't even "ask" to go outside. I take him outside every day at least every 4-6 hours and nothing. His bloodwork and urinalysis this past week were fine. Any ideas?

[Blondie621]

Originally Posted by SunInHair

Our new dog from the shelter is going potty less and less often every day. Today it has been 15 hours since he went! He doesn't even "ask" to go outside. I take him outside every day at least every 4-6 hours and nothing. His bloodwork and urinalysis this past week were fine. Any ideas?

Is he drinking water?

[SunInHair]

Yes, he's drinking water plus I mix warm water into his dry food. Of course he drools half the water onto the floor afterwards

[hothulamaui]

my friend adopted an older shepard that was in the crate most his life, she said he was trained to hold it for a very long time. it was at least 12 hours or so if memory serves. I would hope when he needs to o he will. keep an eye on him for sure. good luck

[kansas sky]

If his labwork was fine and he seems comfortable (not straining to urinate), I don't think I'd be too concerned.

[SunInHair]

He went 24 hours! He never asks to go out but I took him out when I got up at 6:00 this morning. He immediately pottied and was ready to come right back to the house to go back to bed (not MY bed as much as he's tried).

[stan4]

Dude, it's freaky, but my dog (who is 8 and has all normal lab panels) can go more than 12 hours without going.

In fact, for a while, I thought my wife was letting her out in the morning and she thought I was letting her out...she wasn't going out at all (bc she wasn't interested) and she'd go till evening before she'd ask to be let out a couple of times. Crazy.

Now I make her go out in the morning even if she doesn't act like she wants to.

She loves to drink water and can just hold it, I guess.

[latetotheparty]

my 4 year old will hold it ALL DAY...... when the weather is tolerable, i leave the slider open so she can get to the yard if she needs to, but i have the feeling that she equates being confined in the yard with being confined in the house and she will NOT go out there...... i have seen her pee back there on RARE occasions, but she will NOT poop ..... she waits until i get her to the park and will go several times......

[Blondie621]

I would keep an eye on him. Do you have a fenced yard? If so maybe you could spend a good part of the day with him outside (or in and out) with a nice bowl of cold water and see if he goes more often while being outside.
When I first got one of my rescue dogs, she would hold it for 11 hours. I think it was an adjustment thing as far as her feeling comfortable in her new home environment.

[SunInHair]

Well, looks like he's going again for another 24 hour period. Yes, our "yard" is fenced, sort of, all 120 acres of it! He has plenty of room to "go"! Bet it is an adjustment issue.