Back in October I had to take in my mom's 7yr old American Toy Terrier. He had the run of the house and slept on my mom's lap at night.(In a lift chair because she has Parkinson's disease). He also got into the habit of going to the bathroom in the house because my mom couldn't get him out fast enough.

Since coming to live with me I have to keep him confined during the day (on a leash in the kitchen) because he marks his territory and has bitten 2 of my kids when he has been surprised. I do not want to give him up because I take him to the nursing home to see my mom. He is the bright spot in her life.

When I crate him at night he whines yips and barks. I have tried several different ways and after 2-3 weeks of things going fine he will start the whining allover again. I don't want to hit him and hurt him so I have used a fly swatter to smack him and say "no". It worked last time but now he is starting again. I am now thinking about sedatives. My family needs sleep!

Altenweg

Tippy, that's really cute.

As for the doggy diapers, it's been my experience that they don't work. We used them on our poodle because he started having loss of bladder control at 17 years of age. It annoyed him, stressed him out and actually made things worse.

Training is really the best thing. He's marking his territory because your house is still very new to him and you haven't yet shown him what you expect.

You'll have to start from scratch with outdoor training, but, since he was potty trained before, it will be alot easier.

Take him outside, choose a word like make or potty to let him know what you want him to do. Keep repeating the word until he does his business, then lots of praise, even a treat, go crazy with the praise. Keep doing this every hour while you are home. I'll bet that he'll be okay within a week, maybe even less.

The key to dogs is to be consistent, lots of praise, lots of love. They don't understand our human ways, we have to teach them what's acceptable and what isn't.

Love will also get you far, and it's very obvious that you do love him.

So, big hug to Tippy, don't give up, be consistent and, keep us posted on your progress.

Tippytoo

Thanks. He is 99.9% potty trained in the house except for the marking that he does. I have read that this may not be stoppable. The only time he has an accident is if we ignore his asking to go out. We have made great strides in that area. I only need the protection at night if I leave him loose. I always make sure he has done his business before I go to bed.

Silverfoxkit

Some dogs mark becuase they are insecure and anxious. Consider the drastic changes in his life there is a good chance that this may be the case. If you work with the dog to make him feel secure and happy then you may see an improvement with the marking habit.

starbuck8

It could be he is also doing this when you go to bed, because your mom could no longer look after him, as maybe she once did, and it was a form of rebellion on his part at nightime. Try and make sure to bleach and clean everywhere he has marked, so he isn't attracted to that spot again. I'm sure once he realises this is now his home, he won't continue to mark his territory anymore, because he will realize that it is his afterall.

Once again good luck, and we are off on a better foot now! Ask away! (no more flyswatters right? )

shazamataz

You could put the crate next to your bed until he feels more secure in his new home.

JudyKayTee

To Starbuck - no, I'm rather relieved my dogs DON'T talk and tell me what's on their minds. My larger German Shepherd is VERY vocal (sounds like something out of Star Wars) and all I need is talking!

That and I'm grateful they can't open the refrigerator and prepare their own meals.

Otherwise, I'm good.

Waiting to see a photo of Tippy.

Tippytoo

One night does not make a success story, but we all slept last night. The diaper pants keep him covered. He slept comfortably on his blanket on the living room chair.

Hopefully, over time I will not need to use them anymore either.

Thanks again for the help.

Crista

Reading your post and I see obviously you are annoyed having to look after a dog that isn't yours. So it's a nuisance but try to be in the dog's position having to be removed from familiar surroundings. Dogs and cats can feel the tension in households. Your annoyance is not unnoticed by the dog, so of course it'll respond by calling out to his former owner for help. He doesn't feel safe and that's why it responded to your kids with bites. He's in fear mode. Being stuck in a cage is no fun to any living thing. It's not his safe sanctuary in that cage.

Try having the cage in a quiet place without loud disturbance from the kids, like a room that they don't go to. Play with the dog around that area. Realize dogs can actually be nice companions and maybe you can enjoy him too like your mom did. Walking the dog can help you begin a bond with him too. Have a regular routine with walking because dogs enjoy that too.

Maybe the dog can't have his mother back, your mom, but maybe you guys can become friends. It just takes patience and since you have kids, you can do it.

Altenweg

Crista, the OP hasn't been back since March.

Tippytoo

Hi,

Just wanted to update you on Tippy. He (We) are doing fine. He sleeps everynight with his doggy pants on a blanket on my living room chair. He is even starting to obey commands. He is a part of our famiy.