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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Help - my dog is struggling

11 replies

clpsmum · 19/12/2021 10:51

Help I am at my wits end. I had two little dogs and one recently died. The other is not coping well at all. This is the first time in her life she has been alone and she is 9. She has started peeing and pooing all over the house numerous times a day and I don't know what to do.

To make matters worse I have a disabled DC who doesn't understand not to walk in it etc so it's an absolute nightmare. I know it's not her fault and she is lonely but I can't be with her 24/7 and just don't know what to do.

Any advice whatsoever welcomed

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NoSquirrels · 19/12/2021 11:00

Oh dear! Poor dog.

First things first have you been to the vet?

clpsmum · 19/12/2021 11:07

I know I feel so sorry for her the poor thing.

Vets booked but can't get in until after Christmas as not an emergency 😰

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NoSquirrels · 19/12/2021 11:09

What’s her usual routine for walks, toileting etc?
How much time is she alone?

icedcoffees · 19/12/2021 11:10

Oh, bless her - she's grieving and probably suffering from separation anxiety. Do you have any blankets or something that smell of your old dog that she can have to snuggle up with? If not, maybe a t-shirt that smells of you could help to comfort her a little?

Until you can get to the vets, can you keep her in say, the kitchen or utility area when you're out or busy so any accidents are easy to clean up, or use baby gates to keep her apart from your DC so they can't step in any mess and spread it everywhere?

Bless her and you, and I'm sorry for the loss of your lovely dog Flowers

Inthewainscoting · 19/12/2021 11:17

Stick her in some sort of nappy for now, while you tackle it long-term. I had a dog who had toileting issues and literally containing the issue lowered the stress levels for all of us (which was helpful in itself).
A bit of strategic clipping round the bum may be needed (and sponging/hosing down) but for us it was a lesser evil than wee and poo everywhere. Gave us the mental and emotional space to work on the long term solution.

Although later we had a bereaved dog who started weeing and we just moved up our plans to get another dog. Wasn't ideal as we weren't really emotionally in the right place, but! He did stop pissing on stuff!

NoSquirrels · 19/12/2021 11:18

You can also try an Adaptil diffuser as a short term measure.

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 19/12/2021 11:21

When we had our ddog 1 pts the vet warned the others could genuinely show signs of depression...
Sorry for the loss of your ddog op.

Newuser82 · 19/12/2021 11:30

Adaptil would certainly be worth a go while you wait for the vet appointment. Also I’m sure you are already doing this but try to increase the nice things in her day such as stuffed kings/chess, increased exercise, grooming, playtime, training. To make her feel better in herself. Poor soul, and poor you as it sounds dreadful. Certainly think about where you leave her and try to make it as easy for you as possible to clear up any accidents such as using stair gates or crate (although be wary of using a crate if she has never been in one before)

clpsmum · 19/12/2021 15:21

Thanks everyone I've been abs bought her an adaptil plug in and collar and we are spoiling her a bit xx

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PermanentlyDizzy · 19/12/2021 17:36

Poor girl. I am so sorry for your loss. Flowers

My boy was like this when we lost our older girl, he was 7 at the time, had never been an only dog and was really bonded to our girl. He started howling while I was on the school run as well. I was only out for 10 minutes each time, as we live opposite the school, but we still ended up with a neighbour complaint.

I can recommend trying Zylkene, for anxiety, it’s over the counter from pet shops and is made from a type of natural milk protein. I wish I had known about it at the time. My vet recommended it to us when one of my dogs developed separation anxiety and we are now using it again for our elderly dog who has some cognitive decline related anxiety. (I buy mine from petprescription.co.uk.)

We found more interesting, rather than more/longer, walks plus introducing all sorts of brain games, snuffle mats, licki mats, kongs, puzzles, kong wobbler, treat dispensing ball etc really helped wear him out and reduce the anxiety. Essentially wearing him out mentally, rather than physically.

We gradually made progress and he was able to manage an hour alone after a couple of months, but ultimately we ended up getting another dog, which was great for him and he immediately calmed down, but unfortunately for us the new pup (rescue with a very bad start) then developed separation anxiety, so it’s not always the right move.

We lost the younger dog during the first lockdown. He died at home with our old boy there and this time he accepted it straight away and hasn’t had any issues, although sadly he went on to develop a bit of anxiety over a year later as a result of cognitive decline (he’s 16).

Definitely get veterinary advice, but ultimately I think it’s likely to be a case of time, love and patience, wearing her out mentally to reduce stress and perhaps trying something to help manage the anxiety.

clpsmum · 19/12/2021 18:21

So sorry for your losses. Another dog is out of the question unfortunately. Thank you so much for your advice I will go to pet shop again tomorrow and get her some puzzles and ask about the medicine x

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