Potty Issues with 2 yr old

Renee94 · 11-30-2010

Hi all - It's been awhile since I've been on here!

Any and all thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.

2yr old terrier mix - who is pretty good with his potty. Goes in the house about 1 time a week - but Im really trying to break him of it all together. He goes for a 10 minute walk with me at 5:30am and then my husband lets him out for about 15minutes at 730am before work - he sees him pee once and then leaves him out there to fiddle around for awhile.

I get home at either 230pm or 330pm depending on the week and it's almost a given 1 time a week he'll pee! We've gotten to taking up the water during the day (like our vet suggested) and it's working great except that 1 day. I know he's mad cause he's home alone and what not. A few weeks ago he was on 2 1/2 weeks of no potty in the house and then I came home 1 day and he had pottied (pee-and it's probably my fault as I left water down for him)...shame on me.

Today out of the blue - he pooped - our vet said it's a behavioral issue and he's showing he's not happy cause we've left. We don't want to rekennel him just because of 1 day a week but i'm getting annoyed now...thoughts????

Lunareclipse · 11-30-2010

Crate him when you are gone.

It's funny, you are having potty issues with your 2 year old 4 legged kid and I am having potty issues with my 2 year old 2 legged kid.

Nerodia · 12-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renee94

Hi all - It's been awhile since I've been on here!

Any and all thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.

2yr old terrier mix - who is pretty good with his potty. Goes in the house about 1 time a week - but Im really trying to break him of it all together. He goes for a 10 minute walk with me at 5:30am and then my husband lets him out for about 15minutes at 730am before work - he sees him pee once and then leaves him out there to fiddle around for awhile.

I get home at either 230pm or 330pm depending on the week and it's almost a given 1 time a week he'll pee! We've gotten to taking up the water during the day (like our vet suggested) and it's working great except that 1 day. I know he's mad cause he's home alone and what not. A few weeks ago he was on 2 1/2 weeks of no potty in the house and then I came home 1 day and he had pottied (pee-and it's probably my fault as I left water down for him)...shame on me.

Today out of the blue - he pooped - our vet said it's a behavioral issue and he's showing he's not happy cause we've left. We don't want to rekennel him just because of 1 day a week but i'm getting annoyed now...thoughts????

Hi, Renee ~

I agree with Lunareclipse that crating him while you are gone is a good idea. Or, if you don't have a crate, tethering him close to his bed is an option that worked with our pup, since we didn't have a crate.

My instincts also say: more exercise. Are you just taking him for the one 10-minute walk per day? If so, it might not be enough. Also, if he hasn't already been through obedience training, you might want to consider it.

Just a thought. Good luck!

Catie

lange · 12-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renee94

Today out of the blue - he pooped - our vet said it's a behavioral issue and he's showing he's not happy cause we've left.

I don't agree. My husband can drive me crazy sometimes with the same mentality. I just can't believe dogs do things to "get back" at people... My 6 month old pup was house broken by 10 weeks old. She then had accidents about once a month. Then she was accident free for 2 months. And she had one again 2 weeks ago. I've never thought she was acting bad for doing it, I just wondered what was different for her that day that she couldn't hold it.

If it was possible for your dog to be acting out, why is he only acting out once a week? It doesn't make sense.

CorkyMax · 12-01-2010

Crating a dog for from 6 and a half hrs-up to 8 hrs at a time is way too long!! (Sorry Luna!)

Nerodia · 12-01-2010

Lange: I tend to agree with you there. I'm not sure dogs have a need for "revenge". Which makes them MUCH better than humans!

Corky/Max: Yeah, 6-8 hours is a long time in a crate.

Just another thought: I'm wondering, Renee, whether there are any dog walkers in your area? Many dog walking services offer a ten- or fifteen-minute "potty break" or "play break" service for just a few dollars per visit. Might be worth checking out...?

Best,
Catie

lange · 12-03-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerodia

Lange: I tend to agree with you there. I'm not sure dogs have a need for "revenge". Which makes them MUCH better than humans!

We could definitely learn to be a little more like them sometimes.

Here's a quote for the heck of it...BUT to stay on topic..I will say this add's to the fact that dogs do not rationalize or think like we do.

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying. ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs

Nerodia · 12-03-2010

I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying. ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs[/QUOTE]

Nice quote! Thanks for sharing!

Krissy48lowes · 12-06-2010

My mini pin has some of the same issues that are being addressed here, and what I found is that he wasn't acting out...it was more that he would become distracted and forget that he need to go outside. So I've had to make more of a conscious effort to insure he gets more frequent bathroom breaks.

Each dog I've owned picks up on the potty training differently and at their own speed. If you stop and think about it there really no different than children...so potty train quickly while others don't. Keep trying I'm sure your dog will pick up on the idea soon!

The13thBlackCat · 12-07-2010

Renee,

I agree with you not wanting to crate again (although it may be necessary). My advice will not give you an answer overnight, but it may lead you to one if you're patient.

Keep a Puppy Log for a month. Write down when your dog pees and poos, when you go out for play/walks and how long, any special treats (especially things your dog doesn't normally get) and most importantly, the days you come home to find accidents. I am hard pressed to believe (as a few others are) that this is acting out. If it was, wouldn't it happen everyday, every time you leave your dog alone? After the month, compare the weeks and days to see if there are consistent days, or occurences that may have caused the accidents. Then you can make arrangements to eliminate the cause.

One tip, along the lines of taking away the water bowl, try taking your dogs water away a half hour, or even an hour before the final potty break before you leave. This will help clear the bladder. I know, it seems like such a long time to go without water, but your dog will be okay, trust me. If you are worried about it, when you come home, pinch the skin on the back of your dogs paw, if it springs back flat fairly quickly, your aces. If it sinks slowly, you'll need to find another approach.

Hope that was some help.