Okay, I will take Buffy to his vet, just to make sure he's okay physically (even though he had his yearly last month). I mentioned to the vet then that Buffy was a rescued dog, and had severe separation anxiety (I didn't even tell y'all that this dog will BLOW THE HORN if you leave him alone in a car!), and the vet said that we have to remember that Buffy wasn't a dog or a pet - he was a commodity.
He may have had a problem last night, because the one time, he was right next to me (in the mudroom) while I was putting clothes in the washer, he, well, bm'd. Thank heavens I didn't step in it! I usually say, "No!" to him firmly as I flush it. The only times he's done it while alone is when my mama was in the hospital, and he was left alone for 16 hour stretches - and I couldn't bring myself to punish him for that.
I also worry that my brother gives him different "cues" than my mama does, and if that confuses him (we tease that my mama had a choice between cute & smart, and oh, is Buffy cute!!). He tells his dogs to "poop" and I think my mama would die before saying that!
Thanks so much for all the tips!! He is such a loving dog!