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Dogs

Started by: karvern (76) 

Does anyone know why a dog would start soiling the carpets? She's a Chocolate Lab retriever and the most lovable, loyal dog i've known, but all of a sudden she's started to soil indoors?? You can take her out for a walk, but as soon as you take her back and leave her indoors alone, she soils the carpet?? Could it be an anxiety of being alone? It's driving my daughter crazy so i'd appreciate any feedback from a good dog lover...

Started: 9th Jun 2006 at 04:28

Posted by: mollie m (7076) 

Dogs, unlike cats, are fiercely sociable animals and should never be left alone for long periods of time. If your daughter has a dog and leaves it alone for any length of time then yes, it will become very anxious, wondering if she's going to come back, plus the fact that they get very bored. Whilst she's with the dog no doubt she gives it a lot of care and attention. That's something we all need, including animals. The dog sounds to me as if it is either very anxious, or it is very much afraid of being outside to do its business. For what reason I can't say unless someone has tormented it or hit it or otherwise frightened it.

There again, depending on the age of the dog, it could have become incontinent either through advancing age or it could even have something physically wrong with its insides. Personally, I'd let a vet look it over.

I've never owned a dog but have devoted myself to my cats so my suggestions above are not borne out of experience, but common sense dictates that its trying to tell its mistress that summat's wrong and the poor creature must feel terribly miserable because it knows its doing something wrong but can't explain why.

I'd never have just one cat because they too can become bored and start messing or doing naughty things but that's because they're attention seeking. Even negative attention is better than none at all.

Hope this helps you love.

Replied: 9th Jun 2006 at 16:30

Posted by: trish (716) 

Is the dog not so young and has she been spayed?
It sounds like stress-incontinence. My dog suffers from that also occasionally, mostly when there's been a thunderstorm, gets anxious. Since my husband passed it has increased, most probably separation anxiety is also now a factor. She is 11 years old and has been spayed which makes her more vulnerable.
I've tried everything I can think of to reduce the stress but to no avail, so now the incontinence is being tackled. The vet has given her Propalin which seems to be having an effect.
Hope this helps!

Replied: 9th Jun 2006 at 22:46

Posted by: karvern (76) 

Awe thanks Molly and Trish. The dog's only 2year old but she was spayed about 4 months ago. I suspected it could've had something to do with that but weren't sure. She never did it before she was spayed but then again, my daughter did take her everywhere she went a couple months ago, even to the shop in the car. But she had to stop doing that because if she didn't drive her for long enough, she refused to get out of the car She's such an adorable animal so I suspect that it maybe a case of "don't leave me this way" anxiety.

I'll have a word with my daughter and see if what we can work out between us regarding your comments. I guess it's now a testing time to see what works?

Thanks again - much appreciated!

Replied: 10th Jun 2006 at 05:29

Posted by: fertler (7)

Aah, recently spayed. It is a side effect of spaying, which can cause accidents or leakage from time to time.
The same female hormone also controls the spinchter at neck of the bladder, once this hormone production is removed, this can happen. (Same with human females after menopause, it can happen). It is treatable, see the Vet. One of mine has this problem intermittently, and she gets embarrassed when this happens, a clean bitch always has been. But she does
'blush' when she cannot 'hold' it or sheer surprise if she is damp around her rear quarters. We pass no comment and just deal with the spot clean (as you do)
and it keeps her self respect and dignity
intact.

Replied: 10th Jun 2006 at 14:05

Posted by: trish (716) 

Same with my border collie Fertler, she is also such a clean dog and got upset when it happened. She's been a much happier dog since she's been on Propalin, just hope it continues to help and with no side-effects.

Replied: 10th Jun 2006 at 21:25

Posted by: empress (9667) 

My old dog started to do this daily, Always in the same room too. I put it down to old age when after the vet had checked she was healthy.
But strangely I bought one of those airfresheners which can be put on a timer ,for that room 10 days ago. She has completely stopped fouling indoors.Apparently even if you disinfect a dog can pick up its scent, and will foul the same area. I think the airfreshener has broken the habit.

Replied: 29th Aug 2006 at 23:50

 

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