Rescue Dog & Housebreaking

[robinpow]

TESSA - The local shelter alters adopts, and give them a general check up and shots when adopted. Don't think checking for UTI would have been included... however she did test heart worm positive.

The day we adopted our personal vet gave her a basic check up, and results came back the same. Think I'll call our vet and rule out UTI.

She is defiantly a '3 peeer'! First is the main, but it does take her two more squats to fully empty.
I try to do daily walks, but if we can't we do what I call hard play in the backyard, a little running, ball chasing....

No crates around here, so far have never needed one. Everyone has full run of the house. About the closest thing to a crate is our bedroom. Since we are 'big dog' folks and sometimes you do need to restrict movement, we've have always just used the bedroom for this.

Haven't watched "It's me or the Dog", but will set the DVR to capture it. In the early days when Rusty was a puppy I learned a lot from "Doggie U" and today occasionally catch "The Dog Whisper".

JESSIKA - Oh yes her world has changed for the good and I'm sure it was a major change for her.

There is some good news... I had new carpet put through out the house several years ago, I explained to the salesman... "I need something that looks great and is tough. It has to deal with 3 cats, 2 dogs and 1 husband".
My carpet is stain resident and the pad has a moisture barrier built in.

I'm not giving up, she has a home for life. After all I didn't try to trade in my human kids when they were young or even teens for that matter. ;-)

[pitc9]

I know you said "no crates around here" but maybe it's time to start.

IMO, using a crate is a great thing! It gives the dog a place that is all their own, a place they can go to for comfort and quiet if they want. That being said, they won't mess in their crate because it IS their own place, so this would help her learn to hold it longer.

When I adopted my Buddy he was a year old and was 76 pounds, and housebreaking was NOT fun! He didn't make little puddles or little piles of puppy poo. Ugh... it was a nightmare, until I started crating him at night or whenever I couldn't keep my eye on him. It wasn't long at all before he was house trained AND loving his crate! He also has a HUGE fear of thunder and loud noises, so he goes to his crate to feel safe.