who else has to cope with incontinent dog?

[NeverSayNever]

there are days when I feel as if all I do is clean up poop is anyone else in the same boat?

my elderly lab is 14 1/2 and rather than being totally incontinent, (although he has messed his bed a couple of times now) he seems to just not know when he needs to go and despite regular trips out, i get up now to a mess in the morning.

Also I have an 18 month old pup who had a really poorly start in life and also had surgery for a blockage at 12 weeks... (she was one of those that my head was saying to walk away from but my heart wouldnt let me). She is totally unable to hold/control her bowels. We have tried everything, and unfortunately she cant share a kennel with the other young bitch I had planned for her, because the other bitch is 100% clean and it creates total chaos. We've had to go back to crating her and still living in the vain hope that with stringently control food intake, and regular routine we might get past it one day... *sigh*

thankfully in every other way she is superstar

 

[SusieT]

I'm afraid I think an incontinenr dog is one which should be at the pts stage, from the dogs POV as much as the owners.

 

[Skippys Mum]

My old Pilot dog (nearly a lab) was incontinent for the last few months of his life. Instead of sleeping in the bedroom we moved him to the living room so he could go straight out the dog flap if he wanted to rather than have to wake us and ask to get out.

Yes it was a fairly stressful time but it wasnt his fault and as he wasnt actually aware it was happening, he wasnt too bothered about it all.

We were just very very careful what he got to eat - nothing that might upset his tummy! Clearing up hard poo is one thing, the runs is a whole different ball game.

Folk thought we were mad but he was our boy. He finally got pts a few weeks ago at age 15 1/2 so he'd had a really good innings.

 

[TinyTrigger]

I'm afraid I think an incontinenr dog is one which should be at the pts stage, from the dogs POV as much as the owners.

Not neccessarily. Our GSD had CDRM, lost the use (gradually) of her hind end incl her bowels and had doggies wheels. She was happy as a pig in poo for 4yrs until she was 11 before she was PTS as she had developed cancer also.

She was incontinent, in that she would feel the urge but couldn't hold it for more than about 5-10mins, for nearly 2 years prior to being PTS - managed carefully it was hard work for us but no real issue for her. Puppy training pads are your best friend - invest in some!

We simply frequently took her out with her last pee at about 12.30am or so. We then left her with 2 puppy pads taped down (so she wouldn't slip) and she would more or less manage to go there. She then went out again no later than 6.30am.

As it became more extreme we used those pants for in-season bitches with nappy liners for 'dribbles'. She was, I'll add, fine & happy in every other way.

 

[NeverSayNever]

I'm afraid I think an incontinenr dog is one which should be at the pts stage, from the dogs POV as much as the owners.

at the moment my lab still bounds round the garden.... pesters for his dinner and eats it in 2 secs flat, wags his tail when he see's me.... i dont think he's at that stage yet, he is so happy in himself. We've moved him into our sunlounge/front porch and have lifted the carpet so he has a concrete floor, and an extra large dome shaped fabric kennel he sleeps in, and the matress in that has a waterproof cover.He isnt urinary incotinent though. My pup of 18 months is heading for a fantastic competitive agility career! - i just have to put up with frequent poo cleaning lol

ETA - thanks sm and tt, good to share experiences.