We have a ten-year-old, very intelligent poodle. Only recently, has he begun to go to the bathroom in his pen which he has never done before in his entire life. Nothing has changed in his environment that would indicate this is a behavioral problem. Could it be because of his age? Please offer your suggestions how we can alleviate this problem.
2007-02-27 06:06:59 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
it most likely is age-related. as he gets older (just as people do), he has difficulty controlling his bladder. it could be hormone-responsive incontinence - he is an older dog; alternatively, it could be stress incontinence, the most common nonhormonal cause of incontinence. take him into the vet, they'll run a urinalysis on him to see if there's any source of infection. if it is one of those two, he'll be put on phenylpropanolamine to tighten his bladder sphincter. good luck!
2007-02-27 06:24:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother has a miniature poodle that is about 12, she is having the same type of problems. The vet seems to think it's just mostly age related, not able to hold it as long. Seems reasonable since most old humans tend to develop the same problems. My only other suggestion if it's not that, buy him a smaller pen. My dogs don't have enough room to use the bathroom in their crate, which is what all the training books suggested. You don't want him to be able to go at one end and sleep at the other. Good Luck!
2007-02-27 14:14:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Age could be it, but does your poodle have a bladder infection? Dogs sometimes get intestinal virus' like people do. One thing I noticed with my older dog was that when I gave him a different kind of chew, it made him lose his bowels right on the kitchen floor! We were stunned after having him for 10 yrs, but this was due to the different kind of chewy.
Since you don't have any other dogs or little children running around getting the attention that your dog thinks it should have, I don't have any other suggestions. But do see your vet.
2007-02-27 14:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by Lori P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poodles are the best! We had ours for 17-1/2 amazing years -- I often said that if there is such a thing as reincarnation, please let me come back as her!! She was treated like a queen, but deservedly so since she was really a very good dog. I'm wondering if your dog may have something as simple as an urinary tract infection or worms if the problem is with his bowels. Or, it could just be his age and the onset of incontinence issues. Poor guy ... poodles are so smart and fastidious; it must be embarrassing for him. So, check with his vet. There's always doggie diapers if it is due to his age. Good luck and give him a big smoochie kiss for me -- I really miss our little gal ...
2007-02-27 15:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by Adios 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes i would definitely say it is age related....he is 10 years old and he is probably just having a harder time controlling his "movements"...take him out more often...and you can always place some puppy pads in his pen...this will give him a place encase he has to go and will make it easier for you to clean the accident up...
2007-02-27 14:18:29 · answer #5 · answered by Rhylie and Paiyden 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is a sudden change in behaviour then best to get him checked out by the vet to make sure he hasn't got an infection. If he is healthy then it may just be a matter of taking him out more regularly.
2007-02-27 14:12:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say...yes...could be age related...may also consider taking all the blankets out....resulting in a "puddle" take a sample into the vet for a culture....you poor pooch may be suffering from a bladder infection..... Good luck to you!
2007-02-27 14:17:09 · answer #7 · answered by Shelly B 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since he is now going in the pen, I would say take him out more often for walk/p,
2007-02-27 14:11:15 · answer #8 · answered by wildbill05733 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I believe the problem is age related. Perhaps changing his feeding time will help, to adjust to his new digestive process.. My oldster has to 'go' much more often than she did, just months ago.
Hey, my own Mom does too! ( in her eighties)
2007-02-27 14:12:12 · answer #9 · answered by Chetco 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
give him a diaper!
2007-02-27 14:11:20 · answer #10 · answered by mervelash 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋