We have a 2yr. old Shitzu and a 13yr old Brittney Spaniel. They have increasingly been pooping and peeing inside a lot! We have to have the carpet cleaned monthly. Today I cleaned up 5 poops and believe me we take them out every 2-3 hrs. We both work so we can't take them out more. It has gotten to the point where i know we need to get new carpeting and killz, but my concern is if we get new carpeting, that they will do it on our new carpet. We have taken poop samples to the vet and there is not anything wrong with them. Are they too old to try to kennel when we are gone? Our Shitzu went crazy when we first tried to kennel him when we 1st brought him home. He has some separation anxiety too. Can a dog behavioralist do any good? Do we get a different dog food? (we use Alpo, Pedigree, IAMS and Kibbles and bits, just depending onwhat is on sale). We are getting sooo frustrated. We don't spank them when we pick it up, but we do shake the kleenex with the poop in it and say "NO NO"! What do you recommend?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Shitzu and Brittney Spaniel Gender: Male Age: and female 2yrs/13yrs Already Tried: regularly taking them out rewards for going to the bathroom outside poop samples to vet changing dog food shaking poop at them and saying NO! bitter apple spray on the carpet
HI there
Is the stool normal or runny/soft??
THey NEED to be crate trained!!!! First we need to get the crate out-as they can go in the same crate together. Leave the crate out in the house for 1-2 weeks before using it to get them used to it. THen start feeding thenm in the crate-door open-to help them associate the crate with a positive experience. Then we start putting them in the crate for 5 minutes at a time giving a treat EVERY time they go in the crate! THen every couple of day increase the amount of time they spend in thecrate. This will take about a month to get them used to it. Each time you take them out for potty they NEED to be on a leash. AS SOON AS THey go potty they get a treat right away so they learn they get rewarded for going outside. A step further would be to keep them on a leash while you are home to prevent accidents.
usually formed. occassionally a little soft with a little mucus
Experience: Practicing small animal medicine since 2004, also involved in working with rescue groups.