Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone, I am new to the board here.
I am looking for any and all advice regarding a serious issue with a 7 year old Bichon Frise. She is my sisters doggy, and they are ready to kill this thing!
They have been living in their home for 4 years now, and since they moved into this house their dog has urinated and number two-ed everywhere. She does this on a daily basis, right in front of them, under the dining room table, etc. They have a very large house, and they have recently crated her when they leave to help stop her from soiling when they are gone.
I take her while they are on vacation, and she does this ONCE in my house, (oh lucky for her it is in the kitchen on the tile) She has always been extremely spoiled, slept in their bed with them, been carried everywhere and went to work with her mommy, but then my sister had her two children and this changed.
She has also had urinary stones, but has been healthy for a number of years.
So, PLEASE, any ideas, any solutions, etc. I will welcome and appreciate. They love this dog more than anything, but they have had it! She has destroyed their carpeting and they are discussing finding her a new home. I cannot take her; we have a very territorial German Shep. and a Big Lab, I have my hands full with them.
PLEASE throw any ideas out there - I am open to any suggestions, such as throwing diapers on her.
ANYTHING!
Thank you!

I received and answered this question elsewhere, so won't answer here, unless there is follow-up...!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

when you've got a dog that is doing anything for a long time, it is very difficult to change that behavior. Sorry, I don't have any quick-fix-its.

There are lots of steps that you can take to improve/alter the situation, but it takes an almost complete reversal of whatever you've been doing.

In other words, time, patience, commitment, in addition to know how.

I'd suggest getting a complete blood work-up from vet to rule out any physical problems (like thyroid, diabetes, endocrine,), then getting a refferal to a behaviorist that will come to the home.

for a 7 yo dog that is so loved, the expence shouldn't be a problem, BUT if they can't manange, please contact a purebred rescue *organization* to have her rehomed. Not just a shelter, these orgs will get all medical treatment, have the dog in an experienced Bichon home for evaluation & screen applicants for a new home. It would be nice of your family to make a donation.

When I read your post, I thought, I can help answer this with what I did for my dog. Confine in the kitchen with a doggie door. But after reading the post, it was apparent that the dog is doing this intentionally for attention since the children have arrived. She was treated as a spoiled child until then. Negative attention is still attention. The fact that she had only one accident at your house proves this.

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer of how to change this behavior. The children are probably still to young for the wanted attention to be attained. (nothing against your sister but I know how much work one child is, never mind more) Too bad Diamond didn't give you a link so you could look up the answer given. Maybe it is in a previous post on this site.

I wish you and your sister luck.

>>When I read your post, I thought, I can help answer this with what I did for my dog. Confine in the kitchen with a doggie door. But after reading the post, it was apparent that the dog is doing this intentionally for attention since the children have arrived. She was treated as a spoiled child until then. Negative attention is still attention. The fact that she had only one accident at your house proves this.
>>
>>Unfortunately, I don't have an answer of how to change this behavior. The children are probably still to young for the wanted attention to be attained. (nothing against your sister but I know how much work one child is, never mind more) Too bad Diamond didn't give you a link so you could look up the answer given. Maybe it is in a previous post on this site.
>>
>>I wish you and your sister luck.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This question was sent directly to me through the Canine Behavior Series, and that is where I answered it. The person asking the question here is the one who got the answer, don't worry.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I know that I read old posts that sometimes answers question that I am going to ask and you learn so much from just reading some of the others.