Quote:
Originally Posted by justinsain
Great point and I would go with this first and approach it as a behavioral problem as opposed to a physical problem.
You said you have a doggy door so I'm assuming the dog went out on his own when he needed to. Perhaps you could MAKE him go before bed time to empty him out plus give him a bit of attention while doing it.
If possible you could close up the utility room and see if he stops or goes somewhere else.
I thinks AMP's on the right track except for the demote the dog thing because after all you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Maybe the dog needs some reassurance and attention to let him know he is still part of the " pack ".
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Yeah I am addressing it as behavioral right now, but still going to get him to the vet probably. He needs a checkup anyways.
We've made him go outside before bedtime too. We have a doggy door! But still have made him go out, sometimes he pees sometimes he doesn't.
I'm going to close him up for sure, at night. I do think Amp is correct. But in the meantime I've given him extra treats while we are eating which makes him into this crazed animal stalking me for treats all day, but still giving them to him. I have given him more attention, but he still does it.
I am also very paranoid about him turning on my baby, but so far he hasn't shown any aggression to her at all. The good thing about him is we also have a tiny female small enough to stand underneath him and he's never ever tried to hurt her physically. I had his balls snipped at about 5 months of age so he stayed very puppy like and is actually really gentle in that way. But still.
And the baby gets excited at the dogs, especially when they get excited. I let them sniff her feet and they lick her toes a little and she giggles. They all seem to enjoy each other but I don't want them in her face or too much on her. Like I said, he doesn't seem to think she is any sort of threat. It is more like he's not getting enough attention or something and is just acting out.
When I barricade him in the laundry room he's going to scream and cry and throw a fit like a little puppy. But he will learn! The biggest problem I've had with this dog is teaching him he is NOT the alpha. Even Fletch has had to get a little aggressive with him when he won't listen to commands he knows, like go outside, etc. Have to tell him everything three times, or he assumes you're not going to bother enforcing and he ignores you. If I hadn't snipped him so young he would be unmanageable.