Need ideas re: Myndi

[pomtzu]

Anything new or different in the environment outside that might make her wary on doing it out there?

Nope - no changes. I've wracked my brain trying to figure out her change in behavior and can't come up with anything. She might be smelling where strange critters have been in the yard during the night since I've noticed she does a lot more sniffing the ground than she used to do, but her undesirable behavior is sporadic and there's critters wandering thru here all the time, so that shouldn't be spooking her. I just don't get it!

[pomtzu]

Hey Karen - I had a thought - tho don't know if this could have anything to do with it.

Regarding scents and her sniffing around more outside. Maybe it stems back to Sparky. I'm sure most of his scents outside have been eliminated by the weather - rain, sun, etc, where inside the house the scents of him are still very strong on the furniture and carpets - even tho the carpets have been shampooed. Maybe she's actually looking for him and leaving her calling card??? I don't know!!! - kinda far fetched but not impossible I suppose. Who knows what's going on in that little Pommy head of hers?

[Queen of Poop]

Do you think she'd use a pee pad for her business indoors? Would make clean ups a little easier.

[pomtzu]

I tried once to get her to use piddle pads, but that was an effort in futility. She is the most stubborn dog I ever had (and the smartest), so when she makes up her mind NOT to do something I'd like her to do, then there's no chance that I'm gonna win. Now I have her age working against me too - you know - can't teach an old dog new tricks!!!! But she's my girl and I love her no matter what.

[lizbud]

Older dogs, as with older people, they lose the ability to control their bowels & bladder. I don't know if that might be the problem
with Myndi or not. Every thing Freedom suggested is good to consider, more walking around to stimulate the natural function, if she
is capable to walk more, it might help.17 yrs in dog age equals how old in humans? I hope you find something that helps. Must be
a pain for you and for Myndi if she thinks she's done something wrong.

[pomtzu]

Older dogs, as with older people, they lose the ability to control their bowels & bladder. I don't know if that might be the problem
with Myndi or not. Every thing Freedom suggested is good to consider, more walking around to stimulate the natural function, if she
is capable to walk more, it might help.17 yrs in dog age equals how old in humans? I hope you find something that helps. Must be
a pain for you and for Myndi if she thinks she's done something wrong.

The dog/human age used to calculated as 7 to 1, but that no longer applies. My vet has a chart (and I found the same one on line), that is now more accurate, so at 17, Myndi is 84 years old in people years. She's still pretty darn spunky for that age too.

It's not that she doesn't have control - she just chooses to go where she wants too - and the pooping in the house is the biggest issue. I wish I could figure out why she's doing it, but I'll probably never know. I just have to try harder to out-stubborn her and make her stay out till she poops outside. In the cold weather - that ain't easy tho!!!

[Asiel]

Sorry Pom--- just spotted this post now. Freedom had some good advice as others also. Seems nothing is working for you though. Do you think maybe the colder weather is stopping her from going? The house is nice and warm---comparable to us having to use an outhouse right now although our weather is so warm we can wear sweats to go out. Today was one above C , hard to believe, the snow is almost gone.
Do you think if you took a pee pad and when she pees you could dab a bit of it on the pad so "her" smell will attract her to use it? Just an idea, not sure it will work but I remember housebreaking a dog this way...took a paper towel outside after an accident inside and staked it to a spot in the yard and bingo, no more accidents.
I was wondering if maybe her footing is better inside now that the ground is frozen and we have snow? Of course age can have a lot to do with it also. Are you sure she isn't pooling? As for the poop that's a hard one...could just be a preference...just forgive and forget ------she's so worth it

[SilentCrow]

Your fuzzy is quite an age now and she may indeed have doggy dementia, which would/could effect her bathroom habits, eating habits, and sleeping habits. Scolding her won't get the message across, as she may not even remember exactly what she did. The diaper is a good option and you may wish to go to that full time if she is found to have dementia/senility. The best advice would be to take her to the vet and ask the vet's opinion on her mental and physical condition. Sometimes dogs in old age will get odd bathroom habits when they have some sort of sickness or disorder, which is why a visit to the vet would be important. The other possibility is that your dog may be stressed out by some change made to the home or yard, new furniture, a new roommate or family member moving in, even moving things around could effect her state of mind and make her not want to use the outdoors for all her duties. But remember, just like elderly people, elderly dogs need patience, especially if they have dementia. And, just like old people, sometimes an old dog may have to go to diapers full time.