We have had a lovable rescue for 15 years. He has been doing business indoors in the early evening, for about the past 6 months now. It's almost always directly after he's been let out into the garden (he has 2 walks a day & performs fine then!) but all he does is cock his leg and then comes back in. Most often, he does the other toilet almost as soon as he's back indoors. We are assuming it's because of his age & possibly a touch of dementia (his sight is very poor too) but wondered if there was anything we could do since we are getting anxious about it and so is he. My husband wondered if he was losing control completely but I don't think that can be the case when he will always do it on a walk. Please help!
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16yr old doing toilet indoors
- Thread starter Janie
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Are you letting him out to the garden, or taking him out and staying with him? If you aren't staying with him, that's the first thing I'd try, as toileting can make dogs feel vulnerable so the added security of you bring there may help. I'd also re-introduce a reward, given immediately after toileting outside, to add the incentive to do it there.
Also, make sure to thoroughly clean indoors where he has gone, using an enzymatic cleaner, and leave it down for 10 minutes to get to work before wiping it up.
Another thing to try, is when you are with him, while he is actually performing the toilet, introduce a cue word like 'busy busy'. Repeat it, again and again, but only while he is doing his toilet, because until he learns to associate the sound with the act, it's just noise. After a few weeks, you can try saying it - just once - to tell him now is a good time. Don't repeat it now, just say it once because when you repeatedly say a word as a cue, dogs can learn they aren't expected to comply at the first ask.
Also, make sure to thoroughly clean indoors where he has gone, using an enzymatic cleaner, and leave it down for 10 minutes to get to work before wiping it up.
Another thing to try, is when you are with him, while he is actually performing the toilet, introduce a cue word like 'busy busy'. Repeat it, again and again, but only while he is doing his toilet, because until he learns to associate the sound with the act, it's just noise. After a few weeks, you can try saying it - just once - to tell him now is a good time. Don't repeat it now, just say it once because when you repeatedly say a word as a cue, dogs can learn they aren't expected to comply at the first ask.
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Something else you could try is once you come back in from the garden with him, you take him straight back out again and see if he'll then do the pee he would have done inside.
If you think he may have dementia, there are medications that can help. Lots of detail here: Canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia in dogs)
If all else fails, get a whole load of rugs, towels, etc. and cover as much of the floor as possible. Anxiety is a big part of dementia, and the less anxious you can be, the more it will help him.
If you think he may have dementia, there are medications that can help. Lots of detail here: Canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia in dogs)
If all else fails, get a whole load of rugs, towels, etc. and cover as much of the floor as possible. Anxiety is a big part of dementia, and the less anxious you can be, the more it will help him.
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One other thing to try is maybe take him on a lead in the garden, as it may prompt the association of going for a walk and doing his business.
If there is a possibility of it being dementia, and you try these various things to help to no avail, then acceptance is the biggest key to not stressing about it...
My old boy had dementia and he used to do this, I think understanding they can't help it is important. Pooing happens when the urge happens and it's not always outside, sadly...
If there is a possibility of it being dementia, and you try these various things to help to no avail, then acceptance is the biggest key to not stressing about it...
My old boy had dementia and he used to do this, I think understanding they can't help it is important. Pooing happens when the urge happens and it's not always outside, sadly...
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