Doggy behavior problems

[Sabine]

Help! My dog is acting out, and I don''t know what to do. Last night she started getting sick, which as I''ve posted before is pretty normal for her. I took her outside to let her eat grass, brought her back in, gave her the pills we have from the vet for just such an occassion, and took her back to bed. She slept through the rest of the night. When I got up this morning, I got in the shower like normal and left her sleeping on my bed (yes, she always sleeps on the bed with me). But when I got back in my room after showering, she had peed and pooped on the bedroom floor! She has never done this before!

And earlier this week, I got up to shower, and she got up with me. I could tell she wanted to go out right away, but I still thought she''d be fine, so I got in the shower anyway and let her out of my room to wander downstairs if she wanted. She left a puddle of pee downstairs, which she has done maybe twice before if she has seemed like she wanted to go out right away when I get up, so at least this occasion seems to have an explination.

Finally, I started video taping her recently because things haven''t smelled right when I get home. Turns out she has been peeing in her crate while I''m gone too. It dries by the time I get home, so I can''t always tell when she does it either...I"m so frustrated! We got her from a rescue network, and she was supposed to be crate trained, but since we''ve had her (over a year) she hasnt'' really gone into the crate much on her own. We have to put her in it when we leave, although she does lay right down and go to sleep. We''ve tried leaving her out of the crate while we''re gone, and she barks/howls the whole time we''re gone, so it seems like she likes the crate better, but doesn''t understand that she shouldn''t pee in it. The crate is big enough for her to pee and then still have room to lay down away from it. We''ve used a smaller crate before, and she would get so upset in it that she would eat her blanket and get hte runs and all other kinds of gross stuff, so now I''m really at a loss of what to do.

The only thing I can think of that would make her act out like this is that my FI is out of town and she misses him. Do you guys think that''s possible? He''s only OOT for one more week...do you think I should try to wait till things go back to normal before trying any behavior modification stuff?

Or do you guys have any other suggestions on how to get her to stop? TIA.

 

[ang3199]

My first thought would be to take her to the vet. Dogs usually don''t pee where they live (in her crate) unless they are sick. I wonder if she maybe has a UTI? Or some other sort of infection. Is her pee really stinky and yellow (TMI, sorry)? And how old is she?

 

[lyra]

Female dogs will pee in their crates, and a whole lot more!

It sounds like separation anxiety. Obviously check to make sure she doesn''t have a bladder problem first, and ask your vet for recommendations in training. I don''t know if she''s more likely to do this because of her stomach issues, the pills, and whatnot. So get an answer to that stuff first.

Also, how long is she in the crate daily? What size/breed dog is she? You really should get into a routine of letting her outside before you have a shower. Dogs can adapt to schedules. Don''t make any fuss at all or even say goodbye when you leave, and don''t make any fuss when you get home. Ignore her for a few minutes when you get home. She''ll learn that it''s no big deal either way, and that she''ll get attention when you''re ready to give it. Do give her attention later. Just a few ideas.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Sabine - this sounds like there are a couple of potential issues going on.

First, I completely agree with previous posters - get her checked by a vet to see if there are any medical issues going on. Dogs often act out/act differently when they are not feeling well, because they have no other way of expressing it.

I would try to address it sooner rather than later, whether it is behavioral or medical. If behavioral, letting it go for longer, whether your FI is there or not, will only make it worse. Besides, she will need to get used to one of you being away sometimes. Dogs do thrive on routine, but a well-trained, well-adjusted dog shouldn't have its basic training (i.e. housetraining) go to pieces just because the routine is slightly disrupted. Please do keep in mind though that when dogs don't do what they are "supposed" to do its because they have somehow learned that that's OK. They aren't capable or resentment or other secondary emotions. Training them effectively is really just a question of creating positive associations with the behaviors you want, and ignoring the behaviors you don't want. Behaviors that are rewarded will increase quickly and dramatically in frequency.

Second, the smaller crate really is more appropriate for the whole principle of crate training. I've been volunteering training dogs at my local shelter now for almost a year, and everything I've ever heard/read says that the crate really does have to be just the right size for the dog for it to work properly - big enough to stand up and turn around but no more. Definitely not big enough to pee/poo in one spot and then be able to get away from it. If she shreds the blanket in the smaller crate, she needs to be in there without one. You can try giving her something else to occupy her in there - maybe a kong stuffed with peanut butter or similar and then frozen, that will give her something to "do" and keep her occupied for a while. A special bone or chewy treat is good too. This should be something she only gets when she is in her crate. It sounds to me like she has lost her good association with the crate as a positive space, so anything you can do to re-strengthen that association will help. When you are home with her, try feeding her meals, treats, etc... in the crate. Try having her go in and shut the door then only leave for a little while and come right back. Like lyra said, don't make a big deal out of leaving or coming back.

Third, there may be some separation anxiety here (the blanket shredding), or it may be boredom. Without knowing more about the situation or the dog, its hard to know. But the first part of the solution is as stated above - remove the blanket and anything else soft from the appropriately-sized crate. Giving the kong or something else that will keep her occupied would help with separation anxiety or boredom, so that's probably good either way. If you can get a handle on which one it is, there are more specific remedies for each.

In the meantime, I'd also encourage you to spend as much time as you can working with your dog on training. Basic obedience and anything else you want - teach her a new trick, or enroll in a more advanced obedience class together. Try out a dog sport if your dog is high-energy. Anything that reinforces both your bond and your role as the dominant pack leader and source of all things good (treats, attention, etc...) will probably help.

 

[Jypsie]

Ok, I have a lot to say about this - so please bear with me.

First, you said you adopted her from a rescue. Do you know her history - any of it? Was she a puppymill dog? Was she a stray? This information can help explain the behavior for you - puppymill dogs are kept crated 24/7 - they have no concept of "don''t potty where you live" at all. The best thing you can do is walk her immediately upon waking and immediately upon returning home. If you catch her "in the act" then and only then should you firmly say "NO!" and take her outside immediately. When and if she does something outside at that point praise her excitedly. She will learn what you want and will be happy to comply and stop pottying in the house.

Second, I would not allow your dog to eat grass. As much as she wants to, grass is treated with SO many chemicals and products that she should not be ingesting, this is really not a good idea at all. Prevent grass eating whenever possible. The reason she is eating grass is because her stomach is upset - grass eating, in most cases, causes a dog to vomit - which is their version of "home remedy" - however, the behavior was not a problem when we didn''t have pesticides, fertilizers, snail poison, etc being added to the grasses regularly, now that these items are being added to grasses on a regular basis, you could be doing more damage then good by allowing her to eat the grass.

Third, Pepcid (regular tablets) is great for dogs who have stomach problems. I would try this on a regular basis with your pup - 1/2 of a pill each morning, and each evening if needed.

Now - I am a post adoption councelor for a rescue organization - I volunteer regularly and help to make the transition from adoption approval to life in the new home successful for everyone, the dog and the family that is adopting them. What you are experiencing is very normal, so don''t get discouraged. But, it''s important to realize that it is going to take some effort and work on your part.

I''m curious what kind of food and treats you are offering your dog on a regular basis? This could be adding to the stomach upset problems.

What you describe with the pooping and peeing in the bedroom sounds much more like she''s uncomfortable and perhaps in pain then being unable to understand not to go potty in the house. The throwing up and constant stomach upset has me thinking you may be dealing with a more significant problem then is being considered at this point. Perhaps pancreatitis, UTI, or something similar.

What medication are you giving her from the vet? What is it for? What was the diagnosis? Were any other changes suggested by the vet?

And lastly, what kind of dog is it that you have? I''d love to see a picture

 

[Sabine]

Thanks for all the replies.

Here''s some more info. on the situation: Brandy is a beagle, about 20 lbs, and about 4 years old. We got her through Furry Friends, and we don''t have ANY info. on where she came from except that she was found in Kentucky. I definitely think separation anxiety is part of her problem. When I come home and let her out of the crate, she runs around making this odd barking/yelling noise for a few minutes jumping all over me even if I ignore her. I do take her out then as soon as I get home. She was just at the vet a few weeks ago, and they did a full range of tests due to her stomach problems. Everything came back negative, and the vet basically just said she gets the stomach problems because she has acid when her stomach is empty. I''ve tried giving her smaller treats throughout the day so her stomach won''t be empty, but it doesn''t seem to help.

We feed her Nutro Max small bites, along with a half teaspoon of wet food (usually Alpo) twice a day. For treats, she gets a small Eukenuba biscuit about once a day, and in the evening after she has gone out for the last time, she gets a crushed rawhide chewy. On special occasions, I give her Dingo bones (which she absolutely loves!).

I have tried Kong and other treats in teh crate, but she takes no interest in them. Even the Dingos, which she normally goes CRAZY for, she won''t touch sometimes in the crate. She generally does not seem happy in teh crate. Do you think I should continue to try to train her to like the crate at this point, or is there another alternative that would be better for her?

She is in the crate from 7 AM to 3 PM. On the video, when she pees in teh crate, it''s usually around 8 AM, which seemed weird to me because she had just gone out at 6:30.

Oh, the medicine she has from the vet right now is Metoclopramide, which she takes a half hour before each meal, and the vet gives us doggie Pepcid for her as needed.

So for those of you who definitely seem to know a lot more about this, the big question is should I try to properly crate train her at this point? Any other alternatives? If the problem is just separation anxiety, what can I do about that? I had considered doggy day care or even getting another dog to keep her company, but she does not get along well with other dogs. She just seems to want to be left alone, and even growls at them when they sniff her too much. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Sabine]

And Jypsie, since you asked, I''ll be happy to oblige with a pic of my little pain in the butt (...I mean darling...)

This is her trademark playing wiht her butt up in the air pose.

 

[lyra]

I honestly think you need more expert advice. There is a very good forum here. I can already tell that the food and treat issues could be a problem, but again, that''s something you should have medical advice about, given her digestion problem. Just for example, I wouldn''t be using the Alpo, Eukaneuba or rawhides, and am not sure about the dog food and other treat you mention. There are natural alternatives that could help like canned pure pumpkin, or plain lowfat yogurt. There are tons of options for the actual dog food too, but I wouldn''t change everything all at once or do it without consulting the vet first.

As for the behavioural aspect, you really have to deal with separation anxiety in a firm manner. I really strongly advise you check out the dog forum. There are lots of posts there on these issues, and lots of experts contributing. Brandy has quite a bit going on in her life right now, but I think you can find some solutions that will work for you if you put some effort into it. She''s never too old to learn really.

 

[Jypsie]

I''m not a fan of commercial processed dog food, but I do understand that it serves a purpose and if your vet is ok with her diet, then that''s what matters.

It sounds like this is separation anxiety as well as a control issue. I am going to suggest an approach that is referred to as "Nothing In Life Is Free" (NILIF) - this will help with the control issues. The separation anxiety will be addressed in a different and separate manner which I''ll go into shortly.

For the NILIF approach, you will want to use the crate, a small area of the home, or tether her to you when she is not in the crate. She must be under your supervision always when she''s not in the crate. Accidents will be much less likely to occur without immediate response from you and you will likely be able to identify her indicators of needing to go outside more easily. If she starts to potty, as I stated in my previous post, immediately, in a low tone, firmly say "NO!" do not yell. Just be firm. Pick her up and take her outside. As soon as she goes outside praise her heartily, reward her with a treat (if she is food driven) or a toy if she is toy driven, whatever is an awesome reward to her. She will soon be housebroken and you will see a change.

Now for separation anxiety. There are a number of things that you can do to assist with this. Leave a radio on, purchase a ticking clock, put it under a blanket in her crate, leave a small TV on in the room that she''s in so she has some visual stimulation. There are a lot of options - however, what is going to work is going to depend on your dog. There are some holistic items that can help as well. A very popular product is called Bachs Rescue Remedy. Add a few drops of this to her morning food (or to a morning treat) - it helps to alleviate stress in dogs.

I''m sorry if you stated this, I can''t remember and can''t find it while skimming the thread again - did you say that your pup was vomitting? Did you notice did this happen before or after she ate?

I would suggest, if she is continuing to have an upset tummy, to prepare some steamed white rice and boil up some boneless skinless chicken breast. Chop up the chicken breast so that it''s in very small pieces, mix it with the rice, add some chicken broth and feed her a bit more then 1/2 of a cup twice per day for a 20lb dog. You can also give her banana, plain low fat yogurt, low fat cottage cheese - these are all great for a pup with stomach upset and will help her tummy have a rest while she gets over whatever she''s battling that is causing her to not feel well.

I have 3 pups, 1 of which is very sensitive and has a history of colitis when on commercial dog food, another has epilepsy that we have struggled to control, and all 3 have chronic severe allergies. I have transitioned to a home prepared diet for them and amazingly it has helped all of them. The sensitive pup does not have any problems or colitis issues for over 1.5 years. The epileptic has not had a seizure for 11 months now (prior to the diet change, he had at least 1 seizure every 3-4 weeks), and all 3 of them are off of all allergy medications and are doing very well with skin issues, fur regrowth, etc.

If you are interested in more information about diet options, let me know - I''ll post resources.

Hopefully your pup improves quickly and you can get something worked out with the separation anxiety. Keep us posted on how it''s going - I''m interested if things are improving.

 

[Sabine]

Thanks for the link Lyra! I will definitely check it out!

 

[Jypsie]

Sabine - she is gorgeous!! What a pretty girl you have!

 

[Sabine]

Jypsie, wow, thanks! I''d love some resources for diet options. We''ve just been feeding her what her foster mom was giving her, and our vet has told us that even though she continues to have problems, her diet isn''t the problem. She throws up before she eats, i.e. when her stomach is empty, and she jsut throws up neon acid.

 

[Jypsie]

That is very common in dogs - the throwing up on an empty tummy. One thing that alleviates this is feeding a small snack before bed and something immediately, first thing int he morning. What I prefer to feed my pups is 1/4 of a banana and approximately 1/2 teaspoon of peanut butter right before bed. If I know they are having a particularly difficult time, I have found that organic gingersnap cookies (2) and 1/4 of a banana seem to settle tummies quickly (one of the pups, Lacy) tends to get car sick. But, if I feed her this before the car ride, she''s fine.

Here are some links to diet information:

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/healthy_diet.htm

Here are details on the diet I feed my pups - the amounts feed 3 - 15''ish pound dogs for a full week:
3 whole (6 - 1/2) boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 lbs string beans
4 sweet potatoes
6 zucchini
8 whole carrots
2 cloves garlic
Boil all of these items in a pot of plain water. Strain the items and mash with a potato masher once sweet potatoes are tender and chicken is done. Reserve the liquid in the pot to cook the rice.

6 bags - boil-in-bag white rice
Prepare the rice in the retained water. Strain and add to the mashed ingredients.

1 large container low fat plain yogurt
1 large container low fat cottage cheese
2 extra large granny smith apples
Once the rice and mashed ingredients are cooled, add the apple, with skin, cut up (core removed and NO apple seeds) to the mixture) and mix in along with the yogurt and cottage cheese.

bananas
Add banana pieces each meal, typically 1/4 of a banana per meal - I also use bananas as snacks/treats.

Treats
Plain pretzels (no salt)
Gingersnap cookies
Carrots
Red Skin Apples (any red skin apple - they love them)
Peanut butter filled Kong - Frozen and then offered to them.

BARF Diet:

http://www.barfworld.com/html/barf_diet/barfdiet.shtml

RAW Diet:

http://www.k9hp.com/?gclid=CNSTsr2Ov48CFR-YYAodyHcblQ

Info about processed dog food (warning - it can be upsetting):

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/dog_food_ingredients.htm

here''s where the warning applies:
There are a number of books that I have used for my research into what is considered a healthy meal for dogs. One of the topics that came up in my research time and time again is the subject of "crude protein" sources. There is no standard for where this protein comes from, and in many cases, investigations have found that these protein sources included euthanized animal "meat", roadkill, animals that died from "natural causes" etc. Reading this, as well as some of the information that I found about flea preventatives and epilepsy triggers is what triggered me to investigate a more organic and holistic approach to caring for my dogs.

My regular vet, vet dermatologist, vet neurologist have all approved the diet and have reviewed blood tests since starting the diet - all blood levels have improved, liver levels in the epileptic (AED''s cause liver damage) have stabilized. So this has been a magic bullet for us. Many of the dogs in the rescue I volunteer with feed a similar diet or the RAW diet (I''m afraid of RAW).

 

[Sabine]

Thanks so much Jypsie. I''m going to check with the vet before officially changing the diet, but I think going natural is definitely worth a try here. I really appreciate the advice!

 

[lyra]

Sabine, you can talk to people who are using the BARF diet and NILF system on the dog forum too. Lots of advocates of both. Really a ton of information there, even if you just want to read, although if you post your questions there you will also get tons of responses and support. And tons of pics of people''s dogs. Love your pic of Brandy btw!

 

[lyra]

Jypsie, I think my dogs would like to visit your house for snacks!

My big dog Gator has a sensitive stomach too. It's so sensitive we have to keep him on the same food for life (but he's 12, so, you know...). He really appreciates the pumpkin and yogurt. But we have to watch his weight too, and protein can be problematic for him, so we have to keep it lower as well. Our little dog Tilly can and does eat anything, but it's just easier for her to be on the same brand of food (she's 10). They both beg for carrots though, they just love them. Oh, and Gator positively drools at the thought or sight of apple.

 

[door knob solitaire]

What hours are you away from the baby?

DKS

 

[Jypsie]

Iyra, I forgot to mention pumpkin. Yeah, my pups love pumpkin too!

I love watching what pups will do for one of their favorite foods. Max will dance circles around the kitchen and sits at the slightest thought of there being something in it for him, then of course he does the famous gopher stance (sitting on his tush, front end in the air, and paws held tight to his chest) - Parker doesn''t do the gopher stance, Lacy does. But Parker will sing you songs for a treat - he has a lovely voice for a pup... or so he thinks.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Awww...Sabine your little girl is so cute!!

Just in case you''re not quite up to preparing raw/homemade food (or might not be in the future), this is a link to a previous thread about readily available natural pre-made options that should be much healthier for your pup.

It sounds like you''ve gotten some really good advice. I''d follow what jypsie suggested, with one minor alterations. "no" is a difficult sound for a dog to distinguish, so most trainers I''ve worked with recommend using "eh-eh" which is easier for them to hear/respond to. Loud and sharply said, but not yelling or getting mad - the idea is to startle the dog out of the behavior you don''t want, but not create a negative association (so if the dog thinks that you get really mad and yell when she potties in the house, for example, she might start hiding somewhere and doing it). Other than that I completely agree with implementing NILIF and strengthening the positive associations of the crate.