When I read stories here about putting cats and dogs to sleep due to their litter issues, I feel pity for the posters' older parents. What will such miserable people do if they have to take care of their old and sick parents. There is a difference between dogs and parents, but posters who do not have patience and who do not show compassion for their pets who have made them happy in their happy times cannot have compassion for anything or anyone in their lives.

I don't think anyone is trying to elevate animals to human status here. They are just being compassionate and hoping that someone wouldn't "put a dog down" for having accidents in the house. When you're a pet owner, it's a huge responsibility. You take the bad with the good. Having a dog euthanized for something like this is sad. There are plenty of rescue organizations that can help someone whose dog is "driving them crazy." You don't need to end the dog's life because of it.

I cringe when people elevate animals to human status. No doubt dogs are rightly described as 'man's best friend' for their innate loyalty and desire to please. But they are still not humans, no matter how enriching they are to our existence.

Anonymous wrote:I agree the compassion on this site doesnt exist. I hope one day the old lady who wants her sanitized house end up in a nursing home wearing diapers!!!! Your dog is old and sick, thank him for the years he has given you and love him up. He is hurting he needs love beyond anything. If you take your dog away from the only person and home he has ever lived in you are basically giving him an awful end to his life. You are a horrible person.

+ 1,000,000

yes. so strange how this pet forum attracts so many anti-pet posters. so incredibly mean.

poor little guy.

You will be putting him down - sometime. It is a reasonable decision. Put him down when you are ready. I suggest you get off the internet for genuine support.

I agree the compassion on this site doesnt exist. I hope one day the old lady who wants her sanitized house end up in a nursing home wearing diapers!!!! Your dog is old and sick, thank him for the years he has given you and love him up. He is hurting he needs love beyond anything. If you take your dog away from the only person and home he has ever lived in you are basically giving him an awful end to his life. You are a horrible person.

^sorry for the misspellings

We just put our dog down ~ 3 failed attempts when I thought it was necessary and I then lost my nerve (he seemed to get a little better. Probably wishful thinking) It was a decision made harder since my childhood dog had died -probably of a heart attack- suddenly without us needing to take action.

At 13.5 your dog probably has no more that a year or so. Why not now? really you're life will be hell, and the dog's won't be to good either. Cleaning-up excrement, at some point, because a health concern for your family.

Our dog was 15. They say small dogs live longer than larger dogs. I think that may be because they are easier to care for ~ I had carried him for at least the last year. He was no longer able to stand long enough to pee or poop.

Put him down when you muster the nerve. I wouldn't wait until "the perfect time" as far as the dog's concerned. Do it when you are ready.

I would say that if it is nothing curable, I would put the dog down. You're just going to get more frustrated, more angry, etc etc, the dog will pick up on your emotions and at the end of the day its not his/her fault. I think when they can no longer control their bladder or bowels, they are sending you the message that it's time (again, unless there is an underlying, curable medical issue).

Please don't restrict the dog to a kennel. If he can't hold it then he will still go and then he will be forced to be within inches of his mess. Kennels are for puppies who can hold it in and won't go in their own personal space. Get a nice dog bed and baby gates and restrict him to the kitchen, at least then he has some space to get away from the mess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I disagree; my dog enjoys soiling things.

Your dog is the exception. And, yours is probably marking. Very hard to break but it can be done. Regardless, your situation is different from what OP describes. OP described a change in behavior.

you need to go to the vet and get bloodwork and a urinalysis done.

It could be diabetes or cushings. They cause increased urination.

If it is just general incontinence, there are diapers and pee pads. But you first need to figure out if there is a health issue.

When my dog got older and developed health issues, I started keeping him confined to the kitchen at night. I put out some pee pads. He had enough space to walk around a little. And if he missed the pee pad, the floor was tile, so it was easy to clean. Baby gates can help.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I disagree; my dog enjoys soiling things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. He is not doing it to drive you crazy. It is embarassing for him and of course he would prefer to hold it. Vet, ASAP. Good luck to you and your doggy!

+2

Dogs are all about pleasing their humans. No dog does this on purpose. Please take him to the vet to find out what is going on.

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1. He is not doing it to drive you crazy. It is embarassing for him and of course he would prefer to hold it. Vet, ASAP. Good luck to you and your doggy!