Help! Please I am desperate and so is my dog... My parents (60years old) had a bichon su for 12 years until my mom passed away. Now my husband and I and 2 kids took the dog in. He came from across the country, and my father drove him across to come live with us. She was a very good dog, but since she has been with us (3 months) she has started to pee and poo in the house A lot! I am going crazy and feel that this dog is on the chopping bloc.

My husband didn't want the dog, but since my father didn't want it either, I decided to take it in. But I cannot go on like this. We leave for 2 hours and she pees in the house. I am starting to despise her.

What can I do to change this. She is prob mad, because of all the changes. Now living in a busy household and all. We got her shaved recently and things got even worse after that too. She wwas at the groomers and since she was so aggitated, they had to give her some "sleeping pills", and she came home all dizzy and confused. From then on, it all went downhill... this can't go on.

What should I do? Can anybody help? I am desperate. I would appreciate any help from anyone, since I try and talk to her, give her treats. SHould I buy her a kennel for her to stay in when we leave the home? I think that might make her even more mad...

Help!


Thanks for reading!

I'm sure the kennel does make her more mad, but we had to re-crate train our 11 year old dog after a move because he had a hard time adjusting to the new house. He would pee in the house constantly. It's hard for an older dog to make a move like that.

Dogs grieve just like humans. She was with your mother for a long time, and now she is in a strange place, and she doesn't understand what is going on. Everything has changed in the world she knew! She is confused. You have to have some compassion for her. She misses your Mom and her home!

I know you're frustrated, but don't blame this on the dog. You mentioned "chopping bloc." Please don't do this. I'm sure your mom wouldn't have wanted that.

This isn't the dogs fault. Talking to her won't do a thing! She doesn't understand what you are saying, and treats will not teach her! Treats are only used to reinforce good behaviour. You have to take over the role as pack leader, and teach her what you need her to do.

I could definitely guess why she is messing in your house. She feels negative energy from you, and can sense that you are mad and frustrated. You will NEVER be able to teach her with that energy. Dogs communicate by energy, and if yours is negative energy, she will give you back negative energy! This is how they communicate with us! I'm sure you seen or heard stories how a dog comforts a person who is crying, or is sick. They don't do that because they know what you are going through, they do it because they sense the energy of sadness, or illness.

There are many good books out there. Cesar Millans books are great. I can send you a link if you would like, to order an ebook, that guarantee's housebreaking in less that a week, and in a lot of instances, one day. I will have to look for the link, but I'll post it for you if you'd like. (I think the book is about $20, but there are many more things in the book, just about anything you need to know from A-Z)

For now, maybe watch this link. It's very helpful all the way around.

Cesar Millan - People Training For Dogs

I have to agree with Starby and have to add one thing. This dog is old, changes like the one she's been through can be disturbing to a young dog, but an older dog, it's going to be tough.

Patience, understanding, a firm loving touch, all of these will get her to accept her new home and new lifestyle.

You do have to assert your leadership right away. You have to show her what you expect from her, how you want her to act. She won't know just from you talking to her, she doesn't understand words.

A helpful hint. Sound is the least important thing to a dog, it's smell, sight and then sound. If you are "off" angry, sad, whatever, you're dog can smell that and will react accordingly. You have to be calm when dealing with her, yelling won't do a darn thing except make you more frustrated and the dog more confused. Giving her treats will only reinforce the bad behaviour.

Potty training is hard at the best of times, even with a puppy. An old dog is going to be a bit harder but not impossible. It's going to require work, from everyone in your household. If everyone isn't on board then it's a losing battle right from the start.

You can do this and you'll be amazed at how wonderful your relationship with this dog can be if you just give yourself and her a chance.

Don't give up, she deserves more and you will reap the benefits 100 times over, that I promise you.

Good luck.

That sounds almost like my old dog, she was 12 as well. Twelve is old for a dog and when dogs get old they relieve them selvs whenever because they may be in too much pain and don't want to show it, My seppetion to is if to take your dog to the vet... my dog died from cancer... from three different kinds so the best thing to do is check it out with a vet,

I really don't think that this has anything to do with old age.

There have been a lot of changes in this dogs life, please consider that, ask yourself how you would feel.

This is an old dog, but if she didn't have a problem with housebreaking before then it's unlikely that this is a medical condition.

Of course it's always a good idea to get a checkup for your pet when you first bring her home.

She's stressed, uncertain, probably very scared. A gentle but firm hand is what is needed here.

Just remember, the adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" isn't true. She can and will learn, once you are calm enough and gentle enough to teach her.

Yes, I don't think this is a medical condition either. It's grief and confusion!

Talk to your vet... she is probably scared to death with the changes. I work at a Vet's. This is not uncommon, life changes created behavior issues. Good Luck