My lab is 14. She had a problem a couple months ago of pooping in the house and I started locking her in the bathroom when we were gone. I changed her food from Taste of the Wild (grain free) to Canidae and now Diamond (with grain) and she has done much better! I now just put her in a bedroom when we are gone, mostly precautionary.
Well, last night I took her out a bit early, 9pm instead of 10 or 11. And she did not poop. I should have taken her out again!
Because I woke to poop! aaarrrgghhh
I say it's time. But it's not really. She loves to eat and loves to fetch still. She does have bad arthritis in her back legs, she's on pain meds for that and glucosamine and fish oil.
Would I be a horrible person if I "put her down" before it was "time" (as in , can't get up and losing bladder/bowel control"? Yes, I think so.
She probably tried to wake me up.
I'm typing this because I am frustrated and I know it's not "time" but YUCK!! My Little Green needs more soap so might go rent a Rug Doctor today.