Older dog - driving me CRAZY

[Anonymous]

Need some sane advice here! Dog is 13.5 and is definitely getting old - he's not as active anymore, doesn't bark at every little sound he hears, and is just moving around more slowly overall. What's driving me batty is that he's recently begun to pee and poop everywhere in the house!! He started this trend about a month ago in the basement, at first we thought it was just a fluke. We began to take him outside every hour, but he was still doing his business inside at any chance he had. We put a gate up which prevents him from going down to the basement, and now he's peeing in our living room! We've got nice furniture there, and I shudder at the thought of him peeing all over it (I've got an antique chest from the 1750's, and he peed right next to it this morning.) DH wants to kennel him at night now, in order to keep him contained and prevent him from continuing in this latest trend. I, personally, have never been too fond of the dog but he's grown on me and is good with the kids. DH and I got into a heated exchange today, he thinks I'm out to have the dog put down. Maybe it's time to actually do that?? But what do you think? What's the measuring point - the tipping point - with this? Do they sell Depends for Dogs? Ugh!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Take him to the vet. Since this started suddenly, it sounds like he is sick and not just old. I have to keep my older dog in the laundry room when he isn't with me because he is incontinent. I won't put him down just because he is old.

[Anonymous]

Can you let him stay out in the yard while the weather is still not too cold? And I do think they sell diapers for dogs and cats.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, those are great suggestions. It didn't occur to me that he may be sick, although that makes sense given his recent developments. No, I can't keep him outside, unfortunately. I'm sure his old barking habits would kick right back in, and that wouldn't be kind to the neighbors. Plus we have major construction going on with our house, so there's too many people around, as well as too many high-pitch noises (saws) and trash (nails) laying around. I really do want the best for our dog, as much as he drives me absolutely batty.

[Anonymous]

Just try and restrict him to cleanable floors like the kitchen/bath/laundry room while you are out and at night. Better than a crate and easy to clean up messes in the morning. I agree with PPs maybe take him to the vet and see if he is sick.

[Anonymous]

I am the op from the MIl's dog post and my husband said that when he talked to the vet today he found out that diapers for dogs exist INDEED. And he mentioned something in the line of the dogs needing to be changed every hour or so.

[Anonymous]

We lost our 13.5 year old lab last year. Very similar stuff. Definitely go to the vet. We were able to give her (may be different for male dogs) medication to help with the peeing in the house. Also switched her to soft food which helped regulate her poop better.

But you really do need to figure out what are your feelings on putting the dog down. I had questions for myself -- does she still wag her tail when I walk in? Does she want to go outside in the morning? Can she still get up on her own? Does she want to eat?

When I started really watching I ended up putting her down. I probably should have done it a few months before but it was something I didn't even want to think about or consider. She was miserable and in pain but such a good dog that I didn't recognize the signs.

[Anonymous]

Good point, yes, the dog still wags his tail and is very very happy. So happy that he pees (can't control it!) when he's happy, ug.... But I think the end is near, sad but true. Soft food is a great idea, I'll try that out, too.

I know dogs don't live too long, and we've been blessed (?????) with his long life (annoyances beside), he really is a good dog and we've been blessed with him being part of our family. I do want to make the rest of his life as enjoyable as possible, as long as he doesn't pee on my really good antique furniture!

[Anonymous]

Vet visit and baby gates for the rooms where you have the good furniture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, those are great suggestions. It didn't occur to me that he may be sick, although that makes sense given his recent developments. No, I can't keep him outside, unfortunately. I'm sure his old barking habits would kick right back in, and that wouldn't be kind to the neighbors. Plus we have major construction going on with our house, so there's too many people around, as well as too many high-pitch noises (saws) and trash (nails) laying around. I really do want the best for our dog, as much as he drives me absolutely batty.

Your major construction is probably majorly stressful to your dog.

I would first see a vet to rule out illness, but then also recognize that having strangers in his environment all the time is probably also taxing his nerves.

[Anonymous]

I am at my wits end with my dog. I have had him since he was 8 weeks old and he is 12 years old now. Perfect health runs and plays like a young dog..lol..But he has started peeing in the house and it is making me nuts. He has been doing this for a couple years now and it is making my life miserable. I have grandbabies and want thisgs to be santitized. The same people who think I'm terrible for saying he is robbing me and making me miserable are the same ones who put their parent in a nursing home for the exact reason. I've had plenty of people who want him but can't seem to make the decision to give him to someone I don't know. All he has ever known is me and he has been well pampered. Do they yell at their dogs? Do they kick their dogs? I can't bear the not knowing so I am staying miserable...lol..Just doesn't seem to be any answers.

[Anonymous]

People, you have to realize this when you become a dog owner! One day YOU will be in this situation too!

Take your old dogs to the vet and realize this is an inevitable part of their end-of-life. Treat them with the compassion that you would hope to receive when you get to that age.

Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Our wonderful dog started peeing in the house a few weeks before she had a massive seizure. We made the decision to put her to sleep. In retrospect, I think the peeing in the house was a sign of her starting to break down.

[Anonymous]

The lack of compassion by some on here is unbelievable. Your dog is old. He likely is sick or has some secondary issue. But, it could also be a) stress of the construction, b) doggy dementia, or c) just an inability to hold it in his old age.

Look, it's inconvenient but I think it is vile to suggest putting the dog down just for this. Here's what you do: crate or restrict him when you are not home. Gate him in the kitchen, for eg, where clean up will be easy. Let him out a lot. And, yes, they do sell doggy diapers and they work well for pee (just use a maxi pad and velcro it on him. And, take him to the vet. And, for the love of christ, have a little compassion. Dogs do not -prefer- to soil things. There is something wrong. Figure it out.

[Anonymous]

OP when our dog (same age as yours) started refusing to leave the house, that was a sign of his impending death. The vet told me he was stoically hiding that he was in a lot of pain and very elderly and put him down. Another dog that we had began to be unable to control his urination -- he had liver failure and died. (We have had a total of 7 dogs over the course of many years) It is very hard when they get so old and you have to say goodbye.