Can you say something to make me feel better?

Question

I am having the hardest time with my dogs right now. As you can see from the photo I have a labpointer and a boston terrier.

I keep my trash in the base cabinet our lab figured out how to get into it so we put on child safety locks, he figured those out so we put a chair in front of the door, he figured out how to move the chair open the safety lock and get into the trash. Now his tummy is unsettled from eating the icky stuff in the trash and I wake up to poo on my floors every morning.. If you calmly tell him no about anything, he pees all over the place. He sheds fur so much I feel I cannot keep ontop of cleaning it, my house never feels clean to me. I have a Boston terrier that I cannot keep off of my couch, now my couch smells like DOG! I just noticed this morning that my boston terrier dug 2 holes in my fave 400 tc sheets....I am 16 weeks pregnant with my first child and I don't know if I can continue to keep up with all of this from the dogs along with a baby.... HELP!

I love my dogs and have had them for a long time, I don't know why they are acting up all of a sudden..I don't want to give them away, I just feel hopeless in this situation.

yes, I've heard of a crate you jerk and they each have their own. But I find it unfair to keep them in them all day and night.

erins_cotybear you are right, they have only started acting up since I have been pregnant....

Answer 1

First of all, your sense of smell is in high gear right now, so your need for cleanliness and smelling things is in hyperdrive. So keep that part in mind. The dog isn't shedding more, and thew terrier isn't smelling more, you're just noticing it more and more frustrated with it than usual. Also, my dogs are blowing their coats right now, so it is bad at the moment.

For the lab, put a completely different latch on the cabinet or move the trash so he can't get it or if you can, put a baby gate on the kitchen entrance. Just do whatever it takes to keep him out of the trash. Teling a dog "no" after the fact doesn't work and the peeing is submissive peeing because you are yelling at him. You may have this problem with diapers when they come, so better to secure the trash now.

Since the terrier is challenging boundaries (such as the sofa) you need to train him to stay off (we don't let dogs on human furniture either). There are some training aids you can buy that make the sofa unpleasant to him that you can get at the pet store. One thing I'd suggest also is crate training both dogs for times when you can't supervise and then they can't get into things they shouldn't. You can crate train older dogs - this site will tell you how. And it will give you a better sense of control.

And keep in mind that research has shown that children raised with animals have fewer allergies as they grow up. So a little exposure to dog hair and such won't hurt the baby and may even help - good luck.

Answer 2

It sounds like they are maybe acting up because they sense the change in the household. They can tell that you are preparing for a baby and are acting differently. This may be a bad example but it's like in the movie "Lady and the Tramp" where Darling became pregnant and Lady knew she was acting differently. I know that's not real but I believe that dogs can sense those things. Unfortunately the best would be to make sure that both dogs receive adequate exercise during the day, perhaps a walk in the morning and evening and a play session in the afternoon. Or take them to the dog park a few times a week. If you can afford doggie daycare that could be an option. However, if these measures seem like too much work the best thing may be to have a good friend adopt your dogs. That way you could still see them regularly and they could get the attention they crave without you stressing oven them and a new baby at the same time.

Answer 3

Take out the trash every day and that will take care of that problem. Dogs shed. If they're stressed they will shed more. The best way to combat that is regular bathing and brushing. In order to keep the dogs off of the furniture buy a ScatMat. It's a mat that you place on a surface that you don't want an animal on and it sends out an unpleasant signal when the animal jumps on it. You can find these at places like Petsmart or Petco. Use Febreeze on your couch every day. It works great and only takes a few seconds. Digging is usually caused by boredom or stress. With you being pregnant maybe you're not spending as much time with the dogs as you used to while trying to get ready for your baby. Dogs get jealous just like people do. They get insecure and will do whatever it takes to get your attention (just like children). Try to spend consistent time with your dogs everyday. That way they will know that you still love them and hopefully they will calm down.

Answer 4

They could be sensing the coming change in the household, your new baby. A lot of attention is focused on how you are feeling, doing, etc.

The best thing to do as far as the trash, empty it out every night before going to bed and don't put anything else in the trash can, that way your larger dog won't have anything to eat on and poo everywhere.

There is something, some kind of spray, you can get at a pet shop that you can put on your furniture and it keeps animals off, it offends their sense of smell somehow. There are also sprays on the market to deodorize the furniture.

The shedding comes from it being the summer months and your dogs are preparing to grow a winter coat, so the "old" hair is being pushed out. It is very hard to get up those annoying hairs. If you can work with keeping the animals off the furniture, rugs, etc., then maybe they can confine the hairs to a certain room.

Good luck!

Answer 5

A dog is not a toy, it is a life-long commitment, requiring constant training and cleaning and care. However, it is not so hard as it sounds if you are organised. Make sure to get a programme of cleaning everything, and ask your husband to help. Throw the trash out every evening and vacuum the house every day. Cover the areas where you don't want the dogs to lie on (couches) with aluminium foil, they soon will learn not to go there. Give the dog with the diarrhea special food for intestinal problems, and take them out on long walks. It is best if your husband does most of the dog stuff, so that they don't get jealous of the baby when it comes.

Answer 6

If your dogs behavior has just recently changed, maybe they sense the presence of the new upcoming arrival and they are jealous - you might want to consult your vet or check into an obedience class to help you along the way.

I had the same problem when I was pregnant, I had a female Siberian Husky - and even before my son was born - she started to pee in the nursery so I put a pet gate to restrict her access, she then started to pee infront of the nursery door. I talked with my doctor and vet who suggested I start carrying around a toy baby dog similar to a real baby to get her use to it.

With 2 dogs in the house, once one marks the other usually follows - if your area's are carpeted, you might have them cleaned and for the other area's - vintager works rea well so they don't use that spot again.

As for the using your home as an out house - you might try confining them to your room at night with a pet gate, this way they don't roam and usually a dog will not potty where it sleeps. As for the trash, get a trash can w/a lid and put it up out of their reach maybe on the washer or dryer or an are that they do not have access to.

As for them shedding - different dogs shed at different times, you might try brushing him more often and maybe putting a pet shirt on him when he is in the house lounging around. As for the Boston terrier and the couch - if he has a favorite spot, put a pet towel or pillow down and regularly spray it with Febreeze for pets. Good luck - your 2 dogs are really adorable....

Answer 7

First of all, your the leader, your in control! Tell your pug OFF, and if he growls you push him off, its Your couch NOT his!!! Second put your garbage on a shelf if you feel you cant controll him, but watch him, are you walking him? I think he has too much energy and doesnt know what to do( except pee) If you do be calm and egnore him, he knows that he did something wrong, take him out and see if he can pee there. He is scared so DONT MOTHER HIM!!! Even if you are having a baby, thats your baby, Not the dogs!As for the sheding then keep them out of the rooms you feel NEED to be clean! Brush them, WITH THE RIGHT BRUSHES EVERY day, soon youll notice a difference!

Answer 8

Dogs are very perceptive. They can sense your pregnancy (your hormones/pheramones). You are probably distracted and may be treating them different than the norm.
They are just like a smal child that knows mommy is going to have another baby. They act out for attention.
Move your trash can.
I suggest crate training for ALL dogs.
Extra attention and firm and consistent discipline will always work.

Answer 9

If they do this while you are away you should go back to crating them while you are gone or at night.
Dogs are smart. They may know there is something going on. Are you paying less attention to them?
Dogs will test you for their attention. Just make sure they are getting adequate excise, discipline and affection...just like Caesar says.
I foster dogs, and right now my little one is testing us! I believe she came from a home where they gave up and her and be it good or bad she does ANYTHING to get any sort of attention. It's all about consistancy.
Invest in a Swiffer!!! They rock!
Please don't give up on them, they just want someone to love them!

Answer 10

Sounds ruff (ha ha). Seriously though, have you changed your behavior since you became pregnant? Dogs need consistent discipline. If this is a behavior you disciplined before, you need to continue discipline it.

Have you stopped taking them for walks? Are you less active with them. If the answer is yes, the dogs are just finding something to do with their excess energy.