[shell07]

Hey Joel,

I am so glad things are looking up! I agree with putting the trash can in the garage. It seems like he needs to have something to keep him occupied--he is so focused on things! I think the doggie door is a great idea as well! Make sure you spray the spot where the puddle was with an enzyme cleaner, to make sure that scent is GONE..you don't want to start all over again with the prior problems..What happened with your one new Dad possibility?

[Addison]

I don't know if anyone else has posted this idea ... ( I read through most of the post but not all) Try creating Max, But do it slowly. Start with putting his toys in their and then give him treats when he goes in the crate. Try this for awile (with out ever shutting the gate). After he is use to the crate, let guide him into the crate and close the gate and give him a treat. (do this several times, until he is comfortable). Then after that try leaving for short periods of time (5 min or so) and coming back and letting him out (giving him a really good treat). Then increase the time he is in the crate. Hopefully this will help.

[Ella'sMom]

My 90 lb. lab used to get into our garbage in the garage. Finally my husband went to Home Depot and bought this huge bin with a lock on it and that's where the garbage goes. I can't tell you how many times before we got that thing I would walk out to my garage to find trash everywhere! It was disgusting. That solved t he problem though. We actually had to lock it because he could open it.

[Love's_Sophie]

Originally Posted by Ella'sMom

My 90 lb. lab used to get into our garbage in the garage. Finally my husband went to Home Depot and bought this huge bin with a lock on it and that's where the garbage goes. I can't tell you how many times before we got that thing I would walk out to my garage to find trash everywhere! It was disgusting. That solved t he problem though. We actually had to lock it because he could open it.

Gotta love those smarty pants dogs!!!Lol!!!!

[ACampbell]

About the Ivermectin...this can be purchased at any feedstore or even at Walmart in the horse section...it's about $13 for a tube last time I checked. It is really effective for worming, we used this on our horses (all 49 of them) along with Safeguard...
I just read through all these posts, all 9 pages...and I have to say, Kudos to you! I had a border collie that did the same thing exactly...except I lived in an apartment and he tore up my carpet, ate my bathroom door, and even started getting brave enough not only to soil my carpet when I wasn't looking, but began doing it right in front of me. I would walk that dog until I was tired of walking (a good 2-3 miles) with no avail, he'd come inside and within 2 minutes crap on my carpet. I would tell him "NO" and when attempting to interrupt his bad action, he bit my hand when I tried to put his leash on him (a few curse words and 3 stitches later, I was fairly calm about all of this) Along with the carpet, he ate a shower mat, a bath rug, 2 bars of soap, the cord of a curling iron, and numerous other things, so I know your frustration to a T. I did end up rehoming my BC, he went out to a friend of mines ranch to herd cattle, and loves it...he may not have the pampered house life, as he now lives outside with a couple other cattle dogs, but he has a good life.
You have the patience of Job...I cannot say I have the same....good luck and hope the improvements continue.

[shewolf4]

I dont think there is many dogs that are beyond hope, but there are many that are not suited for a certain lifestyle no matter how much WE want it. As we rescue dogs, I get to evaluate allot of them and decide where they would fit best and quite often the people that come looking for a dog fall in love and disregard it. Once you have the dog, there is a certain bonding and you feel like "a failure" for having to find a new home whereas it may be the best thing in the world for the dog. I congratulate you for not giving up and it seems like you have found what he needs. As for the trash- might leave it where he simply cant get to it- thats what I do- why set them up for temptation if its so much easier to set them up for success? I would not have thought that this Rottie we have now would be suited for a lifestyle with horses and surrounded by chickens and kids but she is great and it shows me - once again- that I still have allot to learn from my dogs. Had a lab here that went into hiding when she saw water she hated water- made me laugh I hope it continues for you on this positive note and everything will work out for the both of you

[Roo]

I know this is way old, but I just read thru all the posts... WOW what a mission, I dont know if I could have gone thru all that... and I know my partner wouldnt have.. I was wondering how Max was going?

[shell07]

I had sent Joel a private message (a few months back) on how Max was doing in their new home, and hadn't gotten a reply so I know nothing as well..the only thing I can assume (hope) is "no news is good news"?? If anyone has heard please let us know! Thanks! Shell and Junior

[Hillary]

I just read through all five pages. You are so patient! I am glad you moved to a place with a yard and that things are working out for now.

FYI, I am having a similar problem with Kero my Miniature Schnauzer. She poos and pees all over the place but only when there is no one at home.

I've tried installing a gate about five foot high and she stays in there like the good girl that she is. But the moment we leave, she panics and starts jumping. Within seconds, she will be out and peeing/pooing all over the place.

Our best solution so far

1. Make sure the floor is not carpeted (easy to sweep and mop)
2. Make sure the couch is wrapped in leather, not cloth (easy to wipe off)
3. Take turns to go out as much as possible so that she is rarely left alone at home
4. Keep the trash can out of reach so that her stool won't be the diarrhoea kind
5. Point to the mess and reprimand. This is a bit hard to do because she is SOOOO thrilled when we get home and the last thing we want is to reprimand her straightaway
6. Be patient when cleaning up the mess each and every day.

I feel for her because she is terrified to be left at home alone. She is very affectionate. When we are home, she will lean her body against ours as much as she can. *sigh*

[Elana55]

Originally Posted by Hillary

I5. Point to the mess and reprimand. This is a bit hard to do because she is SOOOO thrilled when we get home and the last thing we want is to reprimand her straightaway

Over and over on this forum and on this thread it has been pointed out that this method does not work. Dogs do NOT relate your disapproval with a mess they made minutes, hours or days b4 you show up.

CRATE
CRATECRATECRATECRATE......

And if the dog breaks out of the crate for $500 you can get an aluminum Dog Box that is unbreakable. Cheaper than carpet, couches, door frames, doors, tables, chairs, new floors (the list is endless).

If the dog is so stressed that crating and dog box won't work, you may have a deep seated separation anxiety issue which may need meidcation, behavior modification or, as a last resort, re homing and as a very last last last resort PTS. Yes. For some dogs SA can be bad enough that nothing works and that can be the last last last resort and the kindest choice.

Also, there is a book called "Crate Games" where you can teach the dog that a crate is a good place.

[Hillary]

Originally Posted by Elana55

Dogs do NOT relate your disapproval with a mess they made minutes, hours or days b4 you show up.

Hi Elana, thanks for sharing. To be honest, I am quite sure my dog gets it even if the reprimand is delayed for hours. She is very good at keeping it in control when we are at home.

It's just that when there is no one home, she panics and out it comes.

I am not keen to crate her as I'm not sure how being in a dark little box will help alleviate her fear of being alone. I am concerned that it may make her even more afraid.

Furthermore, if she soils the crate and starts to jump around on her own poop, I can imagine how dirty she'll be by the time I'm home to let her out.

I would rather pick up poop daily than bathe her daily. She haven't taken to destroying furniture so it's not as bad.

[Mac'N'Roe]

Originally Posted by Hillary

Hi Elana, thanks for sharing. To be honest, I am quite sure my dog gets it even if the reprimand is delayed for hours. She is very good at keeping it in control when we are at home.

It's just that when there is no one home, she panics and out it comes.

I am not keen to crate her as I'm not sure how being in a dark little box will help alleviate her fear of being alone. I am concerned that it may make her even more afraid.

Furthermore, if she soils the crate and starts to jump around on her own poop, I can imagine how dirty she'll be by the time I'm home to let her out.

I would rather pick up poop daily than bathe her daily. She haven't taken to destroying furniture so it's not as bad.

Hillary...the dog doesn't get it. There is sooo much science behind the fact that dogs don't have the same type of learning that humans do. If they knew, she wouldn't keep doing it. You can't actually think that you have the ONLY dog in the world that can utilize critical thinking on the same level as humans .

Furthermore, I couldn't imagine allowing my dogs to continue to poop and pee in the house and just clean it up...daily. no way. Roe had an accident in the kitchen ONCE when she was about 5 months old and I freaked. You can ask the BF. Who knows...maybe I'm just anal retentive or ocd...but I wouldn't be able to continue to allow the dogs to use my house as a toilet. It's unsanitary and unhealthy for everyone. Your house is full of e-coli if this is the case. For your own health...please work on this.

[Criosphynx]

Originally Posted by Mac'N'Roe

Hillary...the dog doesn't get it. There is sooo much science behind the fact that dogs don't have the same type of learning that humans do. If they knew, she wouldn't keep doing it. You can't actually think that you have the ONLY dog in the world that can utilize critical thinking on the same level as humans .

Furthermore, I couldn't imagine allowing my dogs to continue to poop and pee in the house and just clean it up...daily. no way. Roe had an accident in the kitchen ONCE when she was about 5 months old and I freaked. You can ask the BF. Who knows...maybe I'm just anal retentive or ocd...but I wouldn't be able to continue to allow the dogs to use my house as a toilet. It's unsanitary and unhealthy for everyone. Your house is full of e-coli if this is the case. For your own health...please work on this.

I had an EX bf who did this with his dog.... for years... of course you miss some and the poop was ground into the carpet.... Some people don't mind i guess.... I know i do.

[Hillary]

Originally Posted by Mac'N'Roe

It's unsanitary and unhealthy for everyone. Your house is full of e-coli if this is the case. For your own health...please work on this.

Hi Mac'N'Roe, I sterilize every soiled area with Dettol every day. Not sure if you have Dettol over there. In South East Asia, Dettol is a commonly used disinfectant that kills 99.98% of all germs.

You are right that we need a more long-term solution though. In three weeks, someone will be moving in with me who will be at home when I am not so Kero won't have to be home alone.

Am optimistic that this new arrangement will solve everything.

[rosemaryninja]

Originally Posted by Hillary

Hi Mac'N'Roe, I sterilize every soiled area with Dettol every day. Not sure if you have Dettol over there. In South East Asia, Dettol is a commonly used disinfectant that kills 99.98% of all germs.

You are right that we need a more long-term solution though. In three weeks, someone will be moving in with me who will be at home when I am not so Kero won't have to be home alone.

Am optimistic that this new arrangement will solve everything.

Hillary, I use Dettol frequently over here and even though it does work well as a disinfectant, it is by no means enough to sterilise your home from being pooped on every day.

I would also like to assure you that dogs do not understand what they are being punished for if they are reprimanded for something even half an hour after doing it. This has bee proven in experiments over and over again and is one of the fundamentals of dog training.