How do I make life easier with elderly dog?

[Faverolles]

I have a 14 year old jrt. She is steadily losing her marbles, she's deaf and has cataracts. Apart from that though, she is happy and gets a lot out of life.
However, she now poos and wees wherever she likes. I put her outside very regularly, she sniffs around and looks puzzled, then will come in after a few minutes and wee in the house.
Occasionally she'll ask to go out, but then forgets what she's doing and comes inside to wee or poo.
She has regular walks, but tbh doesn't really enjoy them any more - she likes pottering round the garden more.
She's been checked over by the vet, there's nothing physically wrong with her. She was given a trial of tablets to increase brain activity (or something like that) but they didn't do anything.

Otherwise she is a fit, healthy little dog, and could keep going for years yet.
How do I deal with her pooing and weeing everywhere? Has anyone got any tips?

What a horrible situation :(
Personally I would not want any of my dogs to end their life like that but mine have all come up with dramatic and varied ways of dying rather than succumbing to old age gracefully
If I was you I think I would definitely have to confine her to part of the house that had easy to clean floors. No walks if she doesn't enjoy it. Puppy pads or bed mats under her bedding. A trip to the vet for a very frank discussion of her options including whether he believes her to be in pain/ distress.
It's not easy and is probably only going to get worse. I'm so sorry to say that in your situation my gut reaction would be to PTS :(

My old girl died last week and for the past few months shed become slightly incontinent (poo) which was fine when it was normal poo but she had diarrhoea regularly which was gruelling and gross for us!
She also had no interest in going outside, which was sad for the girl who had always taken great pride in doing poos in the most public places!

Things we did: keep an eye on his tail, if it goes up, get him outside
Buy puppy training pads to put under his bum when he's lying down.
A waterproof bed
A dog diaper (we got one from Pets At Home)
Taken outside very regularly, with verbal reminders that he is out to go to the toilet
A short walk might loosen him up

Is he on a diet for older dogs? Easier to digest food.
His back end might be weak and that makes him feel unsafe squatting outside, plus he's doting a bit.

Its so hard, I know, but if he's still enjoying himself in most areas just tolerate it, he's not doing it on purpose and give him lots of snuggles.

P.s. scented baby wipes and dettol!

For our girl, on her final few days she had to be actually dragged out of the house, refused to walk, took about 12-15 hours between poos and was not interested in her toys or her beloved walks. She was in pain one night, the next morning it was worse and its true- the light really does go out of their eyes. I never thought that would happen to a girl so full of joy and personality but it did, she let us know. Her incontinence didn't bother her and we didn't mind, she was still loving her walks and toys etc. you know your dog best, so if you can put up with the mess to have him around a wee while longer go for it.

Thank you :)
Evenbetter, sorry you lost your dog :(

She's not incontinent, she knows she needs to go, but does it inside, she won't go on newspaper though, we've tried. Part of me thinks that she's got to a certain age and has decided to do things her way now, like a crotchety old lady (I know dogs aren't supposed to think, but I wouldn't put it past her!)

DH and I had a chat about PTS, but at the moment, she still has so much life in her, it would feel like murder. She's definitely not in pain or distress.

Her back legs are weaker than they have been I think, she stumbles up and down steps, although that may be the cataracts. Verbal reminders are out, as she can't hear a thing! In fact, a real positive to her hearing loss is that bonfire night is no longer a stressful time for her.

The vet is happy with her diet, she looks younger than she is, and he's satisfied that she's happy and physically fit.

We can't confine her, as she gets anxious and barks, but I can and will watch her more closely. I've never had to recognise signs that she needs to go, as she always let us know, but I'm sure with observation I'll learn to spot it!

Ah yeah, sorry I forgot she was deaf. Dogs are excellent at body language, so use a gesture like pointing at grass and turning as if you're going towards it etc. dogs are the only other mammal to understand what pointing at something means, even primates are baffled when humans do it!
Dogs are hugely clever, deeply emotional beings, they think, they feel, they live completely in the moment.

In puppies, signs they need to go include things like sniffing the floor for no reason (as in, no food or anything interesting has been dropped there lately), a wee bit unsettled, and right after meals.

A weakened back end means she won't feel secure squatting for a pee or poo outdoors incase she falls over, and such a small dog may also feel vulnerable too. So she might just fancy going indoors before she's brought out to feel like that and be distracted with all the lovely smells outdoors. Elderly dogs are very hard work but its a labour of love, and an honour to care for them after their years of service to you. I totally agree, if she's still enjoying her life etc it would feel horrific to have her put down.
As someone whose darling was put to sleep last week, treasure her while you still can. When that injection goes in its shockingly fast and then there's nothing except an empty, silent house that no longer feels like home. (Sorry, my emotions are haywire at the minute, hopefully there's something of use in this garbled monologue!)