Posted by hermitsoul on December 29, 2002 at 12:44:42:
my mother got ps (as in post script) as a puppy about eight years ago. ps, a neutered male, was with her constantly and very attached to her. they lived alone together. he's a great dog, but was always prone to emotional problems, anxiety and foot-chewing. my mother died last may, with ps and me by her side. i inherited a very bereaved little dog.
he was well housetrained at my mother's house where he had a dog door and a fenced yard. when they moved to an assisted living facility last september, he went out three times/day and did rather well with that. however, if anyone but my mother took him out to the courtyard, he would mark in the facility hallway.
the day my mother died ps started peeing where he pleased, even in his own home. he pretty much ignored my praise and treats for going outside. he's made very clear that i'm not HER! though he has bonded with me more than anyone. after he came to my home, i have to admit i was not able to put a lot of effort into housetraining. he went out three times a day and performed nicely but continued to poop and pee where and when he pleased in the house. i didn't have the heart to box him, as he was so bereaved. i tolerated the mess because i was about to move and replace the carpet and vinyl anyway.
now i am in my new home, where there were previous poodle and cat tenants who didn't do so well either. i have had the carpets professionally cleaned and i can't smell anything but i'm sure there is still odor in the pad. i have had ps in a kennel except when he is outside (fenced yard, doggie door to go in any day now). i bring him in when i can watch him; but the first time he got out of my sight he marked on the carpet. he's not happy, i'm not happy, and i want my mother's beloved companion to have a good life--while i have good carpets!
other info on ps--he's just been diagnosed with kidney disease. the vet says it's fairly early, but i have a feeling it's really rather advanced, accelerated by the stress of losing his mom. ps shares his home with an elderly schipperke (they tolerate each other) and three kittens (he seems to like them a lot), and my 9-y-o son whom he likes. everyone else behaves on the carpet. he's a great dog, tons of personality, a delight in everything except his treatment of the carpet.
any advice on re-housetraining this dog and getting him to stop marking? are those two different issues? i've housetrained female puppies and adult dogs before using the kennel/crate method with fairly easy success. i've never housetrained a male dog. i've thought about an indoor dog litter box? i don't think that would help with the marking problem, though. i suspect urinary frequency due to the kidney disease--he'll go outside, pee nicely, come in, get a treat, and ten minutes later pee.
help?
laurie
