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How do you deal with a three year old mini dashaund who pottys on the carpet because you leave him alone and he is mad.

He is happy and healthy and potty trained, but he hates to be left alone. He know that he shouldn't potty on the carpet, but that is the way he gets back at us. He has a doggie door and we have tried everything. This is a recent thing he has started up. He only does it when we leave him.


Asked by Guest 933977 on Nov 29th 2008 in House Soiling
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Gray Dawn Treader

Dogs don't do things out of spite. How long do you leave him? It just sounds like he can't hold it the whole time that you're gone.
He may not use the doggie door because he doesn't know how or perhaps he doesn't feel comfortable going outdoors while you are gone.
My dog used to have problems holding himself the entire night. I fixed the problem by feeding him in the mornings. If you will only be gone a few hours, try feeding him before you leave. If you will be gone a long time, feed him half a day before you leave.


Gray Dawn Treader answered on 11/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Blacky

Why don't you get a dog crate? I know to some people it does not sound like a great idea and believe me I had a German Shepperd for 13 years and never used one and thought it was cruel to do so. I adopted a beagle last year and he is up to no good when we leave the house. So now he has to stay in a crate when we are gone. He does great in it, he knows there are certain times he has to go in it and it's not like he is in it for hours on end. You might want to give this a try.


Blacky answered on 11/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


Pippin CGC

Dogs do not eliminate in the house because they are mad...Either he has too much freedom when you are gone, he can't hold it that long or he has separation anxiety which you will find much info. on if you do a Google search.
Good luck!


Pippin CGC answered on 11/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 1 Report this answer


♥ DEOGIE ♥

I agree it could be separation anxiety. Deogie suffers from this, we are working on it and slowly he is getting better. He is overly dependent on me, I'm always in his sight, if I leave a room he follows, he'll even wake up if I leave the room. His behaviour is destructive, books, remotes, shoes, baskets anything he can chew up. I'm retired but I send him to daycare when I go shopping or appointments. I have been pretending to leave in hopes to help him with his fear or unease. I do my regular rountine, he is watching me like a hawk, pacing and whining and I just walk out the door without saying anything to him. I get in my car and drive down the street, wait for a few minutes and go home. I walk in and don't say anything to him because he is extremely excited. I wait until he is calm then I pet him and give him some love. Every week I have increased my time by 5 more minutes. We are now up to 45 minutes, WOOHOO. I just need enough time to maybe go out for dinner once in awhile BOL


♥ DEOGIE ♥ answered on 11/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Milo

Frankly, I do not agree with those that say dogs dont do things out of spite. My dog does the same thing your dog is doing. What I have found the most helpful is using a crate. I make sure my dog has had a romp at the dog park, or a nice long walk and or a fun play session before he goes into the crate. In a sense I try to tire him out before I leave. In his crate he has lots of blankets, a bowl of water, a stuffed toy and a bone to keep him occupied. Size is very important though; you do not want a crate that is too big, or it wont keep you dog from going to the bathroom. I think that if a crate is used responsibly, its a wonderful thing to leave your dog, and know your house is going to be in the same condition as when you left. Good luck!!


Milo answered on 11/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Stormy

Dogs dont do things out of spite. Dogs live in the here & now. People tend to think dogs know what theyre doing because say they mess the carpet while youre gone and you come home and gasp when you see it. Your whole demeanor changes and the dog picks up on that and thus they act/look "guilty." The dog has no idea what youre yelling about when you come home, they just know youre mad and cower or wag their tails to try to please you and make you happy again.

Yelling at a dog is like someone yelling at you in a foreign language. Just because the words are louder doesnt make them any easier to understand.

It sounds like a case of separation anxiety as dogs use urination/BM's as a way to relieve stress. You can help this by doing your "leaving" routine, jacket., keys, etc. walk out the door and come back in immediately and put everything down. Repeat HUNDREDS of times GRADUALLY increasing the amount of time you are beyond the door. And be sure to leave him interactive toys to help.


Stormy answered on 11/29/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Sally Beaker Tjossem

I also agree with the separation anxiety.
If it is separation anxiety then I would suggest that maybe get him some toys that keep his attention, like Kong toys where you can put treats in them. Then he isn't likely to potty on the floor because he is occupied. If that doesn't work I'd search around on Google about ways to ease his anxiety or ask your vet.


Sally Beaker Tjossem answered on 12/4/08. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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