Help me with this, please

[erbear]

Long story short: I have an older (12) greyhound who we've had for about 9 years. He had serious separation anxiety when we got him, so we got a second greyhound. Things were great after we had both, no SA. Dog 2 died in 2011, and dog 1 has adjusted.

Until December. Since December, he has peed and pooped on the floor every.single.day when I go to work. He does not do it on the weekends, even though he's sometimes at home for the same amount of time (8 hours). I come home from work at 12 when I can to take him out, but it doesn't matter; he's already gone. 

He's been to the vet; no health issues (he's in pretty good shape for being a big, older dog). We can't do doggy daycare or anything bc he's not very good with other dogs. We are talking about asking our neighbor (older, home all day and just lost her dog) to come and take him for a walk during the day, so hoping that helps but what am I missing? I get that he's old and it's not taking too long to clean up but it's getting old and I would like it to stop.

Ideas?

[dexteroni]

Aw, poor pup. You're a good dog owner for wanting to fix this for him. It's probably stressing him out too. I wonder if his separation anxiety might be creeping back in as he ages. Have you tried any of the standard anti-anxiety measures like crating, Kongs, leaving the TV on, or anxiety meds?

What is his morning routine? Does he get a second chance to go out after breakfast and before you leave for work? I know you said he can hold it while you're home, but if he kind of has to go, the anxiety might make it hard for him to hold it. If he doesn't currently go out a second time after breakfast/right before you leave, definitely give that a try.

I like the idea of having someone to come in during the day, but I don't know about asking your neighbor. Does she want to do this every day? And if she gets there and he's already gone, do you want her to clean it up? Even if you don't ask her to, she might feel obligated. I think I would find a good dog walker who is willing to come during the morning, and try visits at different times, to see if any of them help. 9 or 10 am night be ok, or he might need someone to come a few minutes after you leave for work.

Do you have any interest in getting another dog? Dexter started showing some anxiety as he got older and his sight and hearing diminished. Getting Quincy stressed him out at first because Quincy was a puppy, but after a while we noticed that his anxiety had diminished greatly. Even fears he had had all his life, like going to the vet, went away as long as Quincy was with him. I don't recommend getting a puppy, but he might like an older adult-aged dog companion.

Good luck in figuring it out! Old dog troubles are so heartbreaking.

[erbear]

Mar 8, 2014 11:28:02 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Aw, poor pup. You're a good dog owner for wanting to fix this for him. It's probably stressing him out too. I wonder if his separation anxiety might be creeping back in as he ages. Have you tried any of the standard anti-anxiety measures like crating, Kongs, leaving the TV on, or anxiety meds?

What is his morning routine? Does he get a second chance to go out after breakfast and before you leave for work? I know you said he can hold it while you're home, but if he kind of has to go, the anxiety might make it hard for him to hold it. If he doesn't currently go out a second time after breakfast/right before you leave, definitely give that a try.

I like the idea of having someone to come in during the day, but I don't know about asking your neighbor. Does she want to do this every day? And if she gets there and he's already gone, do you want her to clean it up? Even if you don't ask her to, she might feel obligated. I think I would find a good dog walker who is willing to come during the morning, and try visits at different times, to see if any of them help. 9 or 10 am night be ok, or he might need someone to come a few minutes after you leave for work.

Do you have any interest in getting another dog? Dexter started showing some anxiety as he got older and his sight and hearing diminished. Getting Quincy stressed him out at first because Quincy was a puppy, but after a while we noticed that his anxiety had diminished greatly. Even fears he had had all his life, like going to the vet, went away as long as Quincy was with him. I don't recommend getting a puppy, but he might like an older adult-aged dog companion.

Good luck in figuring it out! Old dog troubles are so heartbreaking.

Thanks for the advice.

We've tried the Kong, tv on. No crating (he hates it, we've tried in the past and he bloodied himself trying to get out). No meds.

Morning routine: I let him out at 6:30 when I get up and feed him. DH lets him out again around 8:30 right before he leaves. I get home at 4:30 most days.

My neighbor offered. She's an older woman who is at home during the day. She has a dog and she just lost her Great Dane, and I think she's lonely. I don't think she'd feel obligated to pick up after him, but I'd tell her not to. I don't want a stranger in my house - I have small kids.

We do not want another dog. We;re pretty busy with full time jobs and two kids - we'll obviously be sad when he goes but the idea of being dog free for a little while and not having to schedule a trip home every 8 hours or what to do with him when we go on vacation is appealing. Plus putting down dog 1 was pretty sad for us; I can't imagine doing it two more times