Help with rescue dogs behaviour/nervousness

[matthew]

I posted a while ago about my friends rescue dog who kept weeing everywere around the house mainly when left alone! i got loads of good advise from her but aparently its got worse.
My friend said she calmed down for about 3 weeks but now its gone from bad to worse! see wees in her own bed which is really strange and also in my friends bed even when they are all at home!
She came home yesterday to find she had ripped a chair to peaces. She is with another dog who she gets on well with but Louise said the dog just looks terrified all the time. They were told she was 6 yers old but the vet said she could be older.
I am wondering weather bladder control could be an issue?

My friend is so upset today because her parents (whose house it is) say she will have to go back because they just cant take it any more.
I advised taking her to the vet for tests but i am not sure what they are able to test for?
Please help- any advise will be so greatfuly recieved-Louise really doesnt want to give up but at the end of the day it isnt her house!

 

[CAYLA]

Could it be that she just is not house trained.......has your friend purchased a crate for her...........you mention her being destructive when left in the house.....using the crate would help to house/toilet train her.
Destruction/toilet training can be a common issue in rescue dogs, due to stress/kennel environment taken from/bad background/previous mistreatment, alot of our rescue dogs come in with these issues......In most cases they are pretty easy.......given time/patience to remedy.

All of our rescues are crate trained immediatley......this does not give them a chance to display the type of behavior you menion.

Is she from a kennel environment?
Is she particurlarly nervous/scatty?

Obviously bladder problems could be an issue, however this tends to be when the dog is excited/sleeping, not usually all over the house at any given time......does she do this when people are at home with her/all the time

Has your friend introduced her to the local TRAINING/SOCIALISING CLASSES, OR SPOKE TO A BEHAVIOURST.

 

[kibob]

Poor girl, definately would go to see the vet. My friends dog had this problem (admittedly she is an old dog though) and she has to have a medicine in her feed daily and she can control herself fine then but if she misses a day of medicine she pees herself

If a medical condition is ruled out I would advise your friend to seek the advice of a dog behaviourist as the poor dog may be suffering from anxiety/nervous issues.

Sorry, can't be of any more help, hope she gets things sorted though.

J x

 

[matthew]

Thank-you all!
I will show this too her! she really doesnt want the dog to have to go!
Might be a dumb question but what does 'crate trained ' mean! and how does this work - do both dogs share or have one each?

 

[CAYLA]

I would also advise your friend to limit her access in the house.........and stop her having access to the upstairs.......with a baby gate and keep the bedroom doors closed whilst trying to house train her obviously the more room/space she has to destroy/pass smelly pishy motions

The less chance her mam will get upset in regard to the matter.

I have had plenty of...........getting ready to go to bed for the night..........to a sumping pishy bed

and that was my own lazy dogs

I would limit her access to the living room...........when everyone is around......to keep a close eye on her....and her crate when no one is around........and also PRAISE her when she toilets outside, treats and vocal praise alike.

It is obviously going to be hard to give advice without the full details.....but this may help.......along with other advice the forum membrs will give u.

If she has never been crated........there is ways to introduce her positivly.......if u post again I and others will help u/your friend in regard.

A crate will also give her a secure place to retreat when she is feeling a little worried/lost in the space of the whole house.....obviously she will panic and run from room to room.......where she is chewing/soiling.

 

[CAYLA]

I thought you may ask that

Well a crate is an indoor kennel for dogs......they are graet for training puppies/and destructive dogs when un-supervised.

You need to introduce the dog to the crate gradually/positivley
So basically starting with placing the dog in the crate at times when u r in/pottering around the house..........so the dog bcomes acustomed to the crate without the stress of the owner leaving.

Always place food treats like long lasting chews/treat filled kongs to keep the dog occupied/and to assosiate the crate positivley, feed all meals in the crate, this also helps.

Gradually increase the time in the crate and wonder into the garden/out of side for small periods......but never talk/overpraise the dog upon return......this just heightens the excitement of your return.

Always use the crate for bed time..........and in some cases u can cover the crate the block out the view is the dogs is noisy.............if the other dog in the house hold does not need a crate, just place its bed in the same room in view of the crate this will help settle the crated dog/and will have company.

Always let the dog into the garden to relieve its self when left more more than a few hours......and only greet/praise when the motion/s are passed..............and come up for breath

Place a comfortable bed/constant water supply......and leave the radio on in the house to drown out outside noise/or yourself coming and going.


This means the dog can not soil/cause destruction in the house when left alone.......It also acts as a secure den for the dog...............our rescues become very attached to their crates

 

[matthew]

My friend said she was edgy when they first got her but has gradually got worse.
The dogs wees when they are in the same room as her! she cowes and cries as if she knows she has done wrong!
So she thinks she proably is house trained as she goes outside happily before bedtime to go to the toilet!

 

[CAYLA]

She sounds very submissive/anxious I would definatley recomend your friend seek BEHAVIOURAL ADVICE ............so they can evaluate the dog and give your friend some training methods to help with type of behaviour......I will PM you some info which may also give u a little insight......maybe of interst to your friend...........I am off to groom some doggies

so will be later today when I get around to it.

 

[matthew]

Thank-you so much you have been so helpfull!my friend is going to call a behaviourist in!
Any thing you PM me would be a great help though-thank-you!

 

[sloulou]

Really hope your friend gets this sorted xx

 

[AmyMay]

I wonder if this dog would do better in a home with less people, and no other dog. Also a home, where she won't be left alone.

She certainly sounds very, very anxious. And a one to one relationship and a quieter home may suite her better.

Poor little lamb.

 

[matthew]

I think you might be right!
Its touch and go at the moment but i think she is going to have to be re-homed such a shame but hopefully the dog will be happier in the long run!

 

[AmyMay]

I would do it sooner rather than later as the poor thing must be in a constant state of distress and anxiety.

 

[matthew]

Its sounds like it- sometimes love just isnt enough is it?