How to know when your dog is constipated? Based on my experience with my Yorkies: Max was clearly distressed and laying on his belly when he had a really bad bout of constipation. He kept moving from spot to spot, flopping on his belly. We cured his problem with pure pumpkin from a can, and warm water body washes. Perhaps it was the fiber from the pumpkin that helped. Not every dog does well with pumpkin though.
When Max doesn't get enough outdoor exercise, he has a little trouble keeping on track. Usually a walk solves his problems.
I wanted to confirm a couple points others wrote above. First, don't assume constipation just because your dog doesn't follow his/her regular bowel movement schedule.
Second, after a bout of diarrhea, the dog may not have a BM for 1 to about 3 days.
Third, bowel movements will likely be fewer and smaller when a dog is on a temporary chicken and rice diet.
Lastly, if stomach problems persist, I would cut out things like greenie pill pockets and everything. My Teddy is sensitive and the smallest thing can put his system off kilter.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy  |