We have a 6 month old DS. He's not the problem. We also have an approximately 12 year old extremely neurotic doxie (mostly) who is. We've had him since he was @ 3. I don't need to be lectured on how pets are for life, etc - we've taken the dog from the US to Australia to GB. What I do need is practical, realistic advice. My DH is working overseas for the next 9 months and the dog has not taken the change well. I knew there would be a period of adjustment but it's been almost a month now and things have gotten worse. He has started weeing in the house - first the guest room (I shut the door) now the dining room - a lot - and he is rubs his nose raw on it. It is not a medical issue - he sleeps through the night, no problem. I have caught him going in the house literally as I was opening the door to let him out. Yesterday I decided he'd have to stay in the kitchen when we go out - he had a walk, a treat, went into the kitchen (he's got food/water and a bed there) and at some point in the 4 hours we were gone, he weed on one of the kitchen rugs. He gets 2 walks/day which is more than he was getting when DS was younger and I try to give him "special" time after DS goes to bed. He's not a big on toys and doesn't fetch. I can't continue on like this especially once DS starts getting more mobile. I don't particluarly trust the dog with DS either but that's a whole other issue - he wasn't socialized well before we got him - we've done obedience classes, but he's fussy about what people and dogs he considers "friends". I'm sure the dog picks up on my stress when he's around DS - I try to stay calm but it's easier said than done. The dog will randomly get up and start licking DS's face while DS is playing on his mat gym - this is not a behavior I want to continue but am at a loss as to how to stop it. Any advice/suggestions?
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