So my dog is a year old and she nearly always has an accident (or two) while I am gone during the day. This is usually urine, but sometimes she poops too.
Obviously I want this to stop, but a few things complicate the situation...
First, she has separation issues that she is currently being treated for with drug and behavioral therapy. She started on Fluoxetine about a week ago and since then her destructive behavior when I am away has all but ceased. The peeing, however, continues. If anyone has experience with a dog that urinates from anxiety, did drugs solve the problem?
I know that several of you are likely to suggest crate training; however, that is not an option in her case. I got her at 5 months from a shelter and attempted to crate train her, only to discover that she severely panics when crated - barks incessantly, eats her way out of the crate, tears up her face and gums, etc. When left out of the crate she is quiet and (as of a week ago) non-destructive. Furthermore, when I was crating her she would pee all over the crate, so it really doesn't help in getting her to "hold it."
She has no problem going eight hours or even more when I am home. Therefore, I don't think this is a bladder infection. In fact, as part of her treatment for SA she now sleeps in the living room alone and has never had an accident while I am somewhere in the apartment. We only have this problem when I leave the house.
Can anyone suggest a solution to this problem? I really hate coming home to dog waste in my apartment every day! Will this go away as her SA treatment progresses? I worry that she's learning that housebreaking does not apply when mommy is not home.
Obviously I want this to stop, but a few things complicate the situation...
First, she has separation issues that she is currently being treated for with drug and behavioral therapy. She started on Fluoxetine about a week ago and since then her destructive behavior when I am away has all but ceased. The peeing, however, continues. If anyone has experience with a dog that urinates from anxiety, did drugs solve the problem?
I know that several of you are likely to suggest crate training; however, that is not an option in her case. I got her at 5 months from a shelter and attempted to crate train her, only to discover that she severely panics when crated - barks incessantly, eats her way out of the crate, tears up her face and gums, etc. When left out of the crate she is quiet and (as of a week ago) non-destructive. Furthermore, when I was crating her she would pee all over the crate, so it really doesn't help in getting her to "hold it."
She has no problem going eight hours or even more when I am home. Therefore, I don't think this is a bladder infection. In fact, as part of her treatment for SA she now sleeps in the living room alone and has never had an accident while I am somewhere in the apartment. We only have this problem when I leave the house.
Can anyone suggest a solution to this problem? I really hate coming home to dog waste in my apartment every day! Will this go away as her SA treatment progresses? I worry that she's learning that housebreaking does not apply when mommy is not home.