My 4yo has been potty trained for over a year now. We had trouble getting him to poop in the toilet for some reason, he seemed to prefer to go in his pants, but he finally seemed to have it under controll. Untill recently. He has been going in his pants quite regularly again. We are at a loss as to how to encourage him to go on the potty. We've tried bribes for going on the potty, punishment for going in his pants, more attention, less attention, making him clean up after himself. Nothing works! The bribes don't phase him, the punishments make him hide it (not really surprised, but we are at a total loss), and cleaning up himself he thinks is a game. There seems to be no medical reason for him doing this, and there haven't been any big life changes around here. I know my oldest had troubles with his bladder, but this pooping thing is really getting old. Any suggestion? Ideas? Similar situations?

does he go at the same time every day? That's how I got my DD to finally go poop in the potty.

I put her on the potty at the same time every day when she would poop. like clockwork, she went. She got cheers and rewards and all that good stuff to reinforce the poop on the potty thing...now it's second nature. We've had a few accidents but nothing horrid. She REALLY doesn't like the feel of poop on her bum now.

Mabe he *Likes* the poop feel *shudder*

Mabe he doesn't want to part with something he worked so hard to make? *yeah silly but hey never know*

Ask him Ask him if he feels sad when he poops and has to flush it away. then explain to him that's where poop goes because if it sticks around it'll make everyone sick, and that wouldn't be fun.