Puppy Potty Advice?!

[LadyTrunck]

Hi Ladies! I wanted to see if anyone has any advice for us. Our fur-baby, Crosby is 7 months old. We got him when he was about 3 months old. He was partially potty trained, but we started crate training him, and he did so well within about 4 weeks, we started letting him in the living room and hallway area while we are at work. He did absolutely wonderful with it, only one or two accidents. FI goes home for lunch to let him out, and then I let him out when I get home. Not a problem. UNTIL the poor baby broke his paw. He has been in a cast for almost 5 weeks now, and he was supposed to be crated for his own safety for the first few weeks. He has had several accidents in the crate, and now that we’ve left him out a few times, he has accidents in the house before FI is there to let him out for lunch!! *note, anytime he had an accident before, it was close to the front door- as if he was waiting there and couldn’t wait anymore. More recently, he is going in the living room area…. I don’t know what to do!? I kind of feel that when the cast comes off (SOON) that we can take him on long walks again that it may help. When we are home with him, there are no accidents- he lets us know when he has to go out. Anyone have any advice?? It is greatly appreciated!!

[boscobel]

Hmmm, I don't have any advice, but needed to say that your dog is adorable in it's little cast!!

[LadyTrunck]

Aww thanks- he is such a trooper!

[dolfinluck]

Did the vet give you any meds for him? Our little girl didnt have any accidents when she had her cast on for breaking her leg but once when she got sick the vet put her on some meds that made her have to go to the bathroom more often and she did have a couple of accidents because of it.

[LadyTrunck]

Nope, no meds he had some pain stuff but only for the first couple of days.

[TammyB]

I agree with the PP, some of the pain meds they put dogs on causes them to get a UTI, I would take him to the vet again to check for it.

 

Also don't let his cast make you feel sorry for him, keep him in his crate while you are gone again until he can be counted on 100% of the time. then slowly give him access to the house again.

 

My husband and I are into pet rescue, so we have had many dog issues come through our house. If you ever have any other questions regarding your adorable pup, feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to help.

 

Best of luck

[LadyTrunck]

You're right Tammy. Back to basics for little Crosby. Crating until he gets better. Thanks also for the advice about the UTI- I'll mention to the vet on Friday when he gets another xray. I might have to take you up on the advice sometime- this is my first dog that I have owned on my own!

[mnh1983]

Poor thing! I agree about checking on a UTI. We had a problem with a cat that started going potty in the house, and it turned out to be the UTI. Hopefully, once the cast is off and he is able to go outside more, he'll stop going in the house.

[amygirl1169]

OMG, he's the cutest thing ever!

 

Every once in a while (like every 3-6months) my dog will have an 'accident' (poop) on the stairs (always on the stairs, don't know why). I've noticed it happens if we miss a day walking him (usually due to illness or bad weather) - it's like he's saying 'screw you guys!' LOL Little bugger...

 

No idea if that relates in any way, but it just reminded me of what my dog would probably do if he were feeling off schedule.

[Cindy*]

Okay, I'm no expert, just someone who has owned a lot of dogs. Here are my thoughts.

If he is peeing in his crate, its possible the crate is too big for him. Generally the crate should have enough room for him to be comfortable but not enough that he can go pee in the corner and then be just fine over in his end. A smaller crate generally prevents them from peeing because they don't want to sit in it.

Maybe it could be the change in his routine such as not going for his usual walks. Dogs are like kids, they love routine and get thrown off when you change it up.

Also, he is still a puppy. There is a chance he is doing it just because he is forgetting to go when he's outside.

Finally, could he be marking his territory. We have a puppy and are having a real issue with him peeing on our bed. We know he is doing it to try to mark the bed as his territory (we have 2 dogs). It is very frustrating but we are doing our best to train him out of it.