Hi there,
My parents' 18yr old cocker spaniel is soiling inside the house when people come to stay or when her routine is out i.e. mum and dad go away and then come back. She is very old but is still very mobile etc. My parents want to put her down but I want to know if there is anything we do as this is not a daily occurrence and therefore can't be put down to losing control of her bowels. Ins aying that, for sometime her pooh has been rather soft.
Please advise asap as my parents feel they are doing the right thing but I feel that if she is not in pain than they're not. They seem to think a vist to the vet is useless also.
Thanks!

This doesn't sound like a health issue, it sounds like a behavioral issue.

Old dogs are set in their ways. If anything happens to mess up their schedule they will sometimes do things they normally wouldn't do.

This is not a reason to put down your dog. I completely agree with you.

There are doggy diapers, but they can be hard for a dog to adjust to.

I think the best advice would be to pay closer attention when people are visiting, or when your parents go out of town. Make sure the dog has ample opportunity to poo outside.

Other than that, there's really not much you can do. A trip to the vet may be in order to rule out any health concerns, but to me this really sounds behavioral.

Good luck. I hope your parents listen.

This lovely old pet at l8 years old, is a senior and incontinent. It won't improve and doggy diapers will only make the matter worse if the stool is loose. She will have to cleaned up, and can your parents manage that? It is my experience with older pets that they really do feel the disadvantage of not being able to 'do their business' the same way when younger.

When this lovely old lady has to be seen to, look into her eyes, and see if she really really enjoys being helped.

I am not crass or un-feeling when I say that maybe her time has come and you would be doing her a big service and a blessing if you let her depart from this world in diginity.

Diginity for her will not be doggy diapers and being cleaned up by the people she has sworn to protect and nourish.

Sure, you can make a trip to the vet, and I don't think there will be any remedial quick fix for this problem which is just a senior moment.