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Dog acting out question

MrsEllis10MrsEllis10 member
in Parenting
I have a 8 year old Maltese who is wonderful with my girls. She plays with DD1 all the time and gives kisses to both of them. After DD1 she did fine and I saw no change in her behavior. DD2 is 5 months and for the past month and a half she has completely been acting out. She pees in DD1's room at least once a day and now she barks constantly at everything. She can think she hears a mouse fart down the street and she barks. I can handle the barking, but the peeing in the house is for the birds! I have tried letting her stay outside longer, I've taken her to get tested for a bladder or kidney problem and I'm just at a loss. During the day I can watch her pretty well and if she Tries to go in DD's room I immediately take her outside. At night it's harder to watch her obviously. I take her outside at 8 pm, then DH gets home around 1 from work and let's her out. Then we are up for the day around 7. This is how it's been for years. I don't think that is too long to have to go holding it at all.
My next option is to put up a baby gate with her bed from our room in a bathroom. Our bathroom is in our bedroom so it's not like she will completely be alone. I just hate the idea of locking her up. I don't want her to feel left out or anything because then maybe she will act out more.

Any suggestions!?
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Re: Dog acting out question

  • MomlovesEloiseMomlovesEloise member
    How about a long walk or some extra play time? Maybe she just needs some extra one-on-one time. 
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  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    imageMomlovesEloise:
    How about a long walk or some extra play time? Maybe she just needs some extra oneonone time.nbsp;


    Could you get her a bit more exercise? This is a good idea. Also, when was the vet appointment?

    What do you clean her messes with?

    How do you respond when she barks? Could she be losing her vision?


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  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    imageEllaHella:
    Ask your vet about Proin for the incontinence.nbsp; It could be a physical thing.nbsp; Older spayed female dogs loose bladder control.nbsp; Our vet simply calls it "old lady bladder."nbsp; We started our old gal on the medicine and it made such a difference.nbsp;
    nbsp;

    I didn't notice her age at first. This is what my childhood dog is on. It helps!


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  • MrsEllis10MrsEllis10 member
    imageBostonKisses2:
    Do you have a crate? nbsp;You could always offer that as a safe haven for her, and for her to sleep in at night.


    Yes she has a crate and it is always open. I'm a SAHM so she rarely gets locked up.
    The barking I respond immediately. Most of the time it's just saying her name and she stops. Other times I have to tell her to come lay down before she stops. Loosing her vision is something I never thought of.
    The vet visit was last week and all tests were negative.
    Old lady bladder? Interesting. I will mention it to my vet and see what he says.
    More exercise is also an option, but today is the first sunny day in weeks here. We have had horrible flooding issues and weather. Now DD2 has RSV so outside time is again, limited. She always comes outside with us when I take DD1 to play. She mostly just lays there and watches. She hates walks down the street and has always pretty much given up after a block or two. Lol. She's kinda lazy!
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  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    I'm going to bet that meds will help her bladder.

    I'd also talk to your vet about vision and hearing loss. Sometimes dogs are more reactive and barky when their sense are going.

    Something else to consider... As a small dog, she's not particularly old, but many older dogs do experience some form of dementia. I studied it in school but can't remember how common it is. It's somewhat similar to Alzheimer's. They become disoriented and confused and their personality can change and their training fade.


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  • GrayGhost13GrayGhost13 member

    One of our dogs is also on Proin. Total lifesaver! It's not that expensive, as meds go, especially for a tiny dog, so I'd definitely check in with the vet. Dogs do tend to have a harder time regulating their bodily functions as they age, but in a tiny dog, 8 isn't that old, so I'm hoping the medication might help you.

    If the peeing issue turns out to be strictly behavioral, then I'd probably go back to potty training like a puppy (and crating at night). Also make sure you really thoroughly clean all those old spots with an enzymatic cleaner. You may have to soak it and re-treat several times to get it out.

    Re: the barking, I was wondering about potential vision issues too. My senior dog is mostly blind, and he became MUCH more barky as his vision waned.

    If it's not vision, then maybe it's just boredom. More exercise and more mental stimulation (like quick little training sessions or puzzle toys) should help a lot. Stress could also be a factor, but you didn't mention any major changes or issues that might be bothering her, so maybe not.

    GL! I hope you find something that makes things a little easier for you soon!

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  • kwitt22kwitt22 member
    I would try and make an effort to do something as a family (dog included) at least once or twice a week. A long walk, trip to the park, dog park, even something as small as bringing her to the pet store and having the dog pick out a treat or new toy. I have seen this work for our dog when she acts out. Sometimes they just get bored and need new stimulation.
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  • MrsEllis10MrsEllis10 member
    imageIrishCoffee7:
    Our dog is on Proin for mild incontinence and it makes a big difference.nbsp; I may NOT make a difference if the urinating is behavioral though.nbsp;
    Your dog needs more exercise.nbsp; Guaranteed.nbsp; Our dog acts out by pooping rather than peeing.nbsp; But every damn time it happens I realize we've been slacking on the exercise.
    It's been cold here too, and I work.nbsp; I know how hard it is.nbsp; But as often as I can I just bundle DS up, throw him in the wagon, and go for as long as we can all last.nbsp; Walking is much better exercise than just being let outside.nbsp;
    Also, we send her to a doggie daycare once a week to burn some energy.nbsp; She loves it, we love it, and it buys us a day or two of not having to walk her.nbsp; If you can afford it I highly recommend it.
    nbsp;


    Thanks! The cold isn't the problem. It's raining 24/7 and flooding, DD2 has RSV and I have plenty of time to walk her and let her exercise. She doesn't want. Never has. She just stops and lays down a 1/4 of the way down the street. The only thing she does isshe is crazy about this ball and we throw it. All. Day. Long. For her. Lol. She's obsessed with it. We bring it outside as well, but the past few weeks its been impossible with the weather. If it was only the past few weeks she's been acting out I would attribute it to exercise, but it been a few months. I think the best option mentioned here is getting her on some meds for her bladder. I am going to bring her back to the vet ASAP.
    Thanks everyone for commenting!!!
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