My 7 year old dog, Fred, like other dogs, is very time oriented. Since my return from the holiday season, his internal clock for using the bathroom has been set to 0300. This now means that I have to clean up his area every morning when I get up. Please note that he is able to go 12 hours during the day without an accident. He gets walked for 30 - 45 minutes every day; is on a steady feeding schedule; and gets lots of play time and attention. Any suggestions?
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Changing Dog's internal clock
brolem
Jan 17, 2007 11:41 PM
Replies (3)
pharrow
Jan 18, 2007 09:41 AM
I'd take him for a long walk before bed and limit his food intake in the evening. In he crate trained? Does he eliminate in the area in which he sleeps?
KDiamondDavis
Jan 18, 2007 10:26 PM
>>My 7 year old dog, Fred, like other dogs, is very time oriented. Since my return from the holiday season, his internal clock for using the bathroom has been set to 0300. This now means that I have to clean up his area every morning when I get up. Please note that he is able to go 12 hours during the day without an accident. He gets walked for 30 - 45 minutes every day; is on a steady feeding schedule; and gets lots of play time and attention. Any suggestions?
>>>>>
Twelve hours is too long. Eight should be the longest, and then a dog needs several more frequent outings to catch up for the waste that has accumulated in the body during this time. A break during the day (dog walker, pet sitter, friend, or you come home and let him out) could make a huge difference in this problem as well as in his future health.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47
brolem
Jan 22, 2007 12:45 AM
12 hours is just the longest that he has been in the house. The average is 7 - 10 hours. However, his elimination in the house is a new occurrance. He has had the same schedule for the past few years.
This problem has only been occurring since December 2006. Since this has happened, I have modified his schedule. He gets put into the back garden for an hour before bed and walked just before we go to bed.
I am calling the vet today to see if there is anything that they are able to suggest.
