Dog issues AGAIN for me :(

[purr]

Ok.. I posted before about my dog getting up and peeing in the middle of the night. She still occasionally does it, so I resorted to leaving the carpet scrubber in my bedroom closet.

Took her to the vet and there is absolutely nothing wrong.. I'm starting to get at my wits end and I dont know what else to do. Vet told me she was too old now to be crate trained and wouldnt help matters.

Went shopping yesterday, because of the heat I kept the dog in and was only gone at the max 3 hours. I come home and I find a nice fresh pile in the corner of my living room ughhhhhh. So I clean it up, run the scrubber and hubby had already taken the dog out.

This morning.. 7:03 to be exact, I wake up to seeing the dog leaving me another fresh pile right by my bed. :mad: We went to bed at 12 last night, took the dog out right before then and she did her business out there.

Cleaned that up and ran the scrubber again. Hubby put the dog out.

I dont want to leave the dog outside all the time, but with a new baby coming in a month or so, I just cant have this. I clean like a nut anyway (I'm obsessed with cleaning :) ) but to have this dog going when she feels like it and where she feels like it is getting a little out of hand.

I also use the Wee-Wee stuff that is supposed to stop the dog from going in the same spot again. IT DOESNT WORK.

I dont want to spend another $150 vet bill for the vet to tell me, nope.. nothing is wrong, so PLEASE someone help me figure out this crappy problem :(

[xultar]

1. Congratulations on the new baby! Sorry to hear about the dog.

With the new baby coming is she getting enough attention.

Move to crate training as a beginning solution.

[purr]

5. Thanks :)

I'm honestly considering it. Hubby keeps saying that shes going to sit in there and howl all night.

[xultar]

12. Take it slow with the crate. Start now! So the dog wont think the baby

is to blame for the crate.

Put her in the crate while you're in the house around her. Don't just throw here in @ nite and then go to bed. Then she'll really think she's alone.

Put her in and then give her a super duper treat like a piece of ham or cheese.

close it for 2 mins then open it.

Then increase the time. Let her know the crate isn't just for bed time but it is her home. She'll grow to love it. I promise!

[China_cat]

31. For maybe 3 nights, tops

If that. And not at all if she sees the crate a 'good' place.

[hlthe2b]

9. yes... sounds like an unhappy pooch trying to get your attention...

A few days/week at doggy day care can work wonders. Keeps the pup stimulated (exhausted) and comes home content just to be around you, even when you have less time for them.

I know you are really busy, but think of this as you would a younger sibling who is sad they aren't getting any attention. LIke a child, dogs will "act out," to try to get your attention.

[xultar]

14. I agree with the doggie daycare too. IT does work wonders for pups

they get enough exercise to make them tired when they come home so they don't have the energy to think up ways to get attention through acting out.

[purr]

18. No doggie daycare in the area :(

I wonder if theres a dog walker. I havent been able to walk her as much as I could before.

[purr]

19. Interesting twist to the poop story..

Look outside to see what the dog was doing and shes eating grass. Hubby just told me that when he took her out this am she went again.

Shes out there running around being her typical hyper self. I'll wait an hour before I bring her in since I seen her eating grass.

[xultar]

25. Letting the dog out in to the backyard isn't always enough for their

brain.

They need stimulation. Walks give that to them. Training will give them the stimulation as well.

Try to teach her a new trick. Get her a kong toy for her cage too!

Put a piece of cheese and ham and maybe a doggie biscuit in there and give it to her only when she's in her cage.

She'll start going in there on her own just for the kong. The kong will keep her entertained for HOURS!

[purr]

37. The Kong is the red ball shaped thing right?

I'll look for that when I go tonight!

[xultar]

47. Shaped like a cone hard plastic with a hole @ both ends.

[BlondieK143]

2. I'm not a pet expert, but..

we had a similar situation with my mom's dog. Basically what we were told was that the dog had separation anxiety. She would pee as a way to let us know she needed attention (she'd always do it when we left). We started being even more affectionate towards her and eventually, she grew out of it. This might not be the case for yours, but are you giving it plenty of attention when you are there?

[purr]

4. Dog gets as much attention as I possibly can give her..

with a 4 & 2 yr old. So shes getting the attention part. My inlaws have a weimarainer that had BAD separation anxiety. Started giving the dog a relaxant from the vet and that cured it.

I dont think its the separation anxiety so much as being lazy. My mom just told me that I dont take the dog out early enough??? Go to bed around 12 which means taking her out then and usually taking her out at 8-8:30ish. I honestly dont think thats the problem.

[IdaBriggs]

3. Crate Training. Seriously.

How old is your dog? How long have you had him/her?

[purr]

8. She a year old and I had her since October.

The shelter wasnt sure how old exactly.

[thinkingwoman]

6. Not an expert, but longtime pet owner

I think your pup knows your baby is coming and is already feeling jealous.

I know, some will think that is crazy, but I've seen it happen before. Pets react in weird ways to new babies, both before and after they arrive.

I would try giving the dog a LOT more attention (though not right after such a present of course). Perhaps buying some new toys or bedding and creating a new routine that includes one-to-one playtime or a walk or something (even the smallest thing can mean a lot to your pet).

If all that fails, you may be forced to make the dog an outside pet because in the end, you need to take care of yourself and your new baby. If that happens, don't beat up on yourself. Sometimes these things happen. It doesn't make you a bad pet owner.

My beloved cat reacted badly when my daughter was born 17 years ago. He never made any threatening motions toward her. He just climbed on top of the kitchen cabinets and refused to come down for days. He went to live with Grandma after that and grew to a ripe old age before he passed on. He simply refused to live with the baby.

Hope my rambling helps you. Good luck.

[purr]

11. That could be it.. I'll try giving her more attention and see if that

helps matters. My cats are becoming incredibly MORE affectionate than they were before - even my calico wants to sit on laps (rare occurrence before).

I honestly dont want to make her an outdoor dog. She has really short fur (like a doberman) and I'd feel really bad. I know it doesnt make me a bad pet owner, but I'd feel horrible standing in my house when its snowing and icy out and the dog is out in a dog house. I'll use this as my absolute last resort.

I was fortunate when it comes to my cats and babies.. My calico is scared to death of them until they start becoming mobile and my sphynx sees the baby as another warm human to cuddle with. I dont let the cats be in the same room alone as the baby for 6-12 months.

[caty]

43. I have had dogs all my life

and I agree with thinkingwoman. Also, don't make a big deal out of your coming and goings. Don't say goodbye when you leave. Just walk out the door. Same thing when you come home. Just walk in and don't fuss over your dog when you come in. If you make your coming and goings a big deal, it becomes a big deal to your dog. Let you dog out before you go to bed, but wait 30 minutes or so after you let him in before you go to bed. Again, don't make a big deal out of bedtime.

[Bunny]

7. I don't think she's too old for crate training.

Is this a dog that was previously housebroking and then began having accidents? If so, and the vet has ruled out medical, then it must be behavioral. Anxiety over the upcoming baby, perhaps?

Anyway, you can certainly put the dog in the crate while you leave the house for a few hours, so there are no piles when you return. Don't know what to do about overnights - maybe keep her in a kitchen or bathroom without carpeted floors?

[purr]

15. She always had 'accidents' since we brought her home.

Theres this spot in my hallway where she goes. I cant block it off or do anything with it because its right in the middle. So it has a different shade than the rest of my carpeting from me scrubbing it :)

How do I deal with the upcoming howling episodes at night? Do I put the crate in my room or in the basement (where?).

I could try putting her in the bathroom at night.. put a blanket in there and close the door. I'm going to try this one tonight.. hope it works.

Baby anxiety! I love it :)

[Mutley]

20. A year old is NOT too old to crate train.

My dog didn't get crate trained until she was about that age. You can keep the crate in your bedroom at night and maybe that will keep her from crying. You could also put something of yours in the crate with her, like a shirt. Having your smell right there with her should help to calm her and let her know she hasn't been abandoned.

She may be jealous of the baby, but that doesn't mean she won't like the baby. Just give her as much attention as you can, especially after the baby comes. Even a quick scratch behind the ears will be appreciated. And watch for ANY aggressive behavior coming from the dog. If she's good with your other kids she should be okay, as long as she knows her people still love her.

[purr]

21. Shes absolutely great with the kids...

Never once nipped or growled at them.. even when it comes to food. I think she likes them because they're always dropping food !!

I'll get a crate today and see how this works out. I sure hope she doesnt keep me up all night.. I'm going to have a few months of restless/no sleep when the baby comes so doing this now should have her used to it by then.

[Mutley]

24. She's liable to do some crying at first

but she'll get used to it, especially if you don't reward her crying by giving her attention. Even telling her to be quiet will be attention, and a reward for crying. Just ignore her and she'll get the point. It's a good sign that she doesn't have food aggression, that is one of the first signs of a dog that may have problems.

[China_cat]

32. Was she spayed real early?

This may be the problem and DES could solve it.

[purr]

38. DES?

I'm not sure of her Spay date.. I'll have to look in her adoption papers. When I got her in october she was still recouperating from the operation (no baths etc). So it had to have been around the beginning of October.

[China_cat]

44. Diethyl stilbesterol

It was once given to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage but the effects proved deleterious to the DAUGHTERS produced. For animals, it is a big help in several conditions...spay incontinence being one of them.

[gardenista]

48. Yep! Crate training is the way to go!

She's feeling insecure. The crate will help her understand her boundaries and feel safe.

[indy_azcat]

10. we 're-housebroke' or older dog

We got the scented pads for puppy housebreaking and he knew enough/instinctivly learned to use them. For him, he's just getting older (15!) and can't hold it for more than 4 hours. We also use bellybands (http://www.shihtzuandfurbabyrescue.com/gifts/bellybandsnoorder.html) on him when his arthritis gets bad. It's just a cloth strip w/ velcro at the ends - you slide in an incontinence (Poise) pad and off he goes.

The only medical reason we've run into w/ poor bladder control is Cushing's disease. If your dog's blood work comes back w/ high alkaline phosphatase levels, this might be a cause. Cushing's can cause pups to drink a lot and pee really freuqently (ours would alternate every 2 hours at night for wanting drinks and wanting to go out). There are treatments thuogh.

Good luck! :hi:

[purr]

16. Wow! 15!!

I can see why your pup cant hold it (i;m still amazed hes 15 lol) but theres absolutely NOTHING wrong with her. Shes the model of health and still cant comprehend.

It has been getting worse the past couple weeks. I only have 5-9 weeks left in my pregnancy so like the other posts, I'm wondering if it does have something to do with the baby coming.

Shes not a mean dog, but does this mean shes going to dislike the baby? I'd never leave a baby alone, much less with a dog to begin with, but I hope this doesnt show for bad things to come.

[Scout]

13. do you have a regular feeding schedule?

or is there food always available?

If not yet, I'd be sure your dog is fed at the same time(s) daily ... as much as possible with a family. Don't leave access to food all the time, just water.

With our two dogs, even though they both eat at the same time and are similar in size and how much they eat, one of them has to poop immediately after eating, and the other doesn't have to for an hour after eating.

I second the recommendations on crate training. Never use their crate as punishment, and make it a nice little den area. Make sure it isn't so large that the dog can poop in one end and lay down in the other. It just has to be large enough for the dog to be able to stand up comfortably, and to be able to move around some.

[purr]

17. I usually fill her bowl up in the AM and it lasts until

the afternoon. She always has water and doesnt drink a ton. Her poo schedules vary from one day to the next. One day she'll have to go right after eating, the next she wont go for a few hours after eating.

I'll go see what kind of crates the pet store has today. I'll take her with me so I can find one thats the good size rather than going hmm.. shes about this big and this high..

My inlaws weimarainer got the hang of peeing outside of the crate while he was in it!! I dont know HOW the dog did it but boy.. he has some agility!

[Scout]

22. you might consider just giving her only as much as she will eat

right away, and then pick it up until dinner time. Then you can get her poop schedule regular, if she doesn't have access to food all day when she wants it.

We feed our dogs half their daily allotment in the morning, before 7am on weekdays (sometimes they let us sleep in on the weekends; or we get up early, feed them, put them out, then lay down again all two humans and two dogs in our little full size bed!). They get dinner at 5pm the vast majority of days. They do have access to water most of the day.

I've been taught that dogs love schedules ... they like to know what to expect.

Oh, I just thought ... do you feed your dog people food or table scraps? That's not a good idea in my opinion. It's not good for them really, the dog food should be meeting their nutritional needs. I think people food can upset their digestion. Plus they learn to beg very fast! Be sure your children understand about not giving people food treats.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[purr]

23. I could do that too. more routine.

I thought feeding her in the morning would mean she'd do her business during the day and not go in the house. Guess I was wrong :/

I refuse to give the dog table scraps.. My 2 yr old misses her mouth most of the time (still not handy with the fork and spoon yet) and if I dont get it right away the dog will get it as soon as I turn my back.

IF.. I give my mom the dog to watch she'll sneak the dog people food. She likes to spoil dogs rotten. She hasnt watched the dog in a while.

[texas1928]

26. I know that, a friend of mine in college who was blind...

had to keep the dog on a strict schedule. It was fed only in the morning and evening. And the food was put up after it was done. No snacks or treats throughout the day were allowed. I know that sounds extreme, but since he is blind, he could not have a dog having an accident. He took the dog out every morning and evening after it had ate. you might try this and see if that helps.

[purr]

41. Oh wow!!

I think schedule and crating is really going to help. At least I hope so. Dont want to put her outside all the time.

[DemExpat]

27. I agree with most of the tips given here:

Lots of attention, fun, and activity to tire her out

1 year old is not too old for crate training, and this could really help you out. Those Cong toys are fabulous and keep my 2 year old terrier very happily busy when we are indoors and she wants something to do!

Give her food on a more regular schedule to get her bowels predictable.

Look for dog walkers to give her extra diversion and exercise.

I wish you all the best in the coming period!

:hug:

DemEx

[purr]

40. Thansk :) I'll post in the AM with updates of the first night of crating.

I'm sure i'm going to be extra crabby tomorrow if she doesnt take well to it but I hope it all goes good!!

[DemExpat]

50. Don't you need to slowly build up crate time during the day

for a week or more - making it a "fun and treats" place before kinda forcing her in for a whole night?

I know that with my 2 year old terrier this would not work without a lot of misery...

:shrug:

Some people here gave some good advice about building up the time slowly and having the dog see it as a treat and safe place, not a punishment or confinement. Maybe get a book at the library or bookstore about crate training first, you don't want to rush it and maybe ruin it for you all....:D

DemEx

[radwriter0555]

28. Can you only feed her in the morning, and after dinner take away her water

bowl?
Then, I would get the nature's miracle wee wee pads.. the dogs are attracted to them and will use them if they're nearby.. Put them in the locations where doggie pees/poos the most often.

And then, you need to walk that dog for at least 20 minutes a day every day. A good hard WALK... she needs attention and one on one work and exercise.

[purr]

39. I'll start walking her closer to my due date..

Thats how I went into labor with my son - walking. Dont want to push it right now especially going into preterm labor a couple times.

Hubby works 9-8 everyday so the dog is basically my deal right now until they hire someone to help out.

[DemExpat]

51. Depending on the breed...my Jack Russell is happy and

pleasant at home with 2 big walks/runs/ball-playing a day! (About 2 hours)....and with Cong toys at home to be busy with inside.

If she doesn't get those good walks and play, she is a pain in the butt.

:D

DemEx

[jukes]

29. doggie sounds jealous

they can tell from your pheromones they're about to get a youngster. i sugg extra X in yard (if fenced), lavish attention,new toys y maybe ride-alongs. doggies l0ove "bye-bye" y also to leave "notes" for other dogs in new places!

[purr]

36. Thats interesting.. never thought of my pheromones!

Whats an extra X?

I thought about getting her a friend but then it crossed my mind that I cant even housebreak ONE dog let alone two.. Maybe once I get her trained I'll THINK about it.

[jukes]

42. X=time

i'm a lazy typist; also, @ 56, i like to use computer "kewl"...

[China_cat]

30. Your vet is just flat WRONG

No dog is ever too old to be crate trained.

Make sure the crate is not too big. It should allow the dog to stand up, lie down and turn around. If it is bigger it allows the animal a place to mess...they usually will not mess their bedding unless they've been raised in incredibly filthy conditions. (Which I know is not the case with you)

Make the crate a fun place. Special treats, the dog's favorites, are ONLY served in the crate with the door shut. At other times leave the door open so the dog gets used to it being a 'den', a place to hide out, snooze, take a break. At first only close the crate with the special treat, then open it back up when the treat is gone.

It takes some time, but I've crate trained 15 year old dogs and I know it can be done.

[auburngrad82]

33. I agree totally.

We work with an animal rescue group and all the dogs, regardless of age, are crate trained. We have had dogs as old as 6 or 7 years come in and they all have to be able to be crated.

[purr]

35. I'm having my doubts here about my vet lately...

Shes new to the practice and the day I can go up there my regular vet (who is a kick ass vet) isnt there.

[purr]

34. No filthy conditions here... I think i have OCD w/ cleaning.

Thats all I do so no... thats not the problem. Speaking of which I need to scrub my dining room walls. Kids are sleeping so I can get down and dirty with cleaning.

Should I put her bed in there? I dont think the hard plastic would feel too good. Shes an odd size dog. Shes about the size (length) of a Beagle but a little taller. I think the medium sized cage will work. I need hubby to get it - cant be lugging that thing around the store and into the car.

Would it be a bad idea to feed the dog in it?

[China_cat]

45. Of course you'll need some kind of mat or bedding

in the crate. Someone else recommended a t-shirt you've been wearing or something else with your smell on in and that's a really excellent idea.

Feeding the dog in the crate would be a wonderful idea. Just another connection between the crate and good things.

The crates are actually fairly light in weight. I can carry ours around, even the biggest one that fits our 117 lb. Rosie. They also come apart into 2 pieces and the door. Held together by wingnuts. This allows for better and more thorough cleaning and for storage.

[Corgigal]

46. what about doggie diapers?

I use them on my female corgi when she is in heat. I would get some and try them on the dog when you go out. It won't cost an arm and a leg and if it works for a few hours then you can put them on her at night.

[China_cat]

49. Try to also remember that this dog is

only a year old. That's still a puppy. Maybe not in body but emotionally and intellectually. The equivalent of a human 10-12 year old. Most dogs don't fully mature until they're at least 2. I know you don't want to hold out till then, but I'll bet you'd see a completely different dog in another year.