Need ideas for Mav

[Saje]

This is mostly a rant but I'm really open to advice and new ideas.

A little background, we got mav almost five years ago as a pup. About three months old. Of course we loved him. Big bear cub. But we should have known about our future problems. He was in a kennel and would poop in it and stomp in it. He didn't care at all. We got him through the SPCA and he was housed at Pet Cetera. They only have shelter animals.

So, we get him home and he's such a cool dog only it took us over a year to get him housebroken Seriously, we didn't know about crates back then but we did confine him. He was so good about everything else. He learned all his 'tricks' in practically a day. He had tapeworms when we got him which were treated right away but steve didn't want him in the bedroom so we pretty much just told him not to come in and he'd sit in the door frame and watch us. He was pretty clever with everything but potty training.

Honestly, I still don't think he is potty trained. We got a crate and he sleeps in it. He goes in it when we can't watch him. We take him outside a LOT and always praise him but he still poops in the house. We just moved into a new apartment and have decided to not allow him on the carpet. With Fiona crawling around I just don't think we can get it clean enough. And in the last one he'd poop on her things in the bedroom.

So, you wonder, how can he poop if he is supervised or in his crate? Well, my fault, I don't always latch the bottom latch in the crate. And this giant dog will squeeze his way out. Happened again last night. you'd think I could remember but for some reason I still forget. He never asks to go outside. He just goes when he has to go. Of course it's when we are sleeping or have gone out. Or he'll go to the far end of the apartment and poop when I'm not looking. I try to be aware of him and what's he's doing but I have a baby now and things happen. I also don't think it's fair to have a giant five-year-old dog crated whenever he's not outside Won't do it.

I can't afford a behaviorist. Right now things are so tight I can barely afford food. So other than prevention is there anything else we can do? Because Steve is talking about rehoming him somewhere where he has a big yard and can spend most of his time outside.

 

[adojrts]

Are you feeding him meals or free feeding? And how high is the quality of food you are feeding him?
I know what it feels like to be tight on cash, but typically when feeding a lower quality of food you have to feed twice as much of it than the higher priced foods, there in the end it costs the same. Plus the management of when and how often they 'go' is generally greatly reduced with a higher quality of food.

I would also put a note for myself at the last place I am before going to bed as a reminder to check his crate door.

 

[Saje]

Thanks. They both get regular meals. Same every day. And i feed Kirkland. It's all I can afford. I have fed better in the past including raw and there was no difference I had a note at the last place but haven't put one up here yet. Good reminder I'm still hoping someone will have an idea to fix it though. or something new to try.

 

[lizzybeth727]

You can also tie a string from one latch down to the other, so that when you close one latch the other (at least almost) closes as well.... it'd certainly be an instant reminder, wondering what the rope's all about.

Is he still pooping in his crate?

If the only time he's having accidents outside of the crate is when he can hide from you, it's pretty clear that the answer is to supervise him more closely. You can keep doors shut or put up baby gates for the dog to confine him to the room/area that you are in. If you are not able to do this because of the baby (which I understand), perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to rehome him to a home where he can get more attention and the supervision he needs. Having a baby and having a dog that you have to potty train at the same time is certainly a daunting task, and I'm sure no one here will think less of you for choosing your child over your dog.

And, IMO, just because a dog is potty trained in one place doesn't necessarily mean he's potty trained everywhere. Dogs don't generalize. So even if he was potty trained at your old place, you'll still have to re train him in your new apartment.... although usually the second time it does go faster. I've had my current dog 3 years, and we're now living in our 5th home in three years, and I still don't really consider her "potty trained." I'm not surprised that she has an accident unless she's been accident-free in that location for at least 6 months or so.

 

[Saje]

See that's the thing, I don't think he can be supervised any more closely. And again, I do not want to crate him all the time. I don't see how anyone can give him more supervision that we do. Hell, I haven't even mentioned the peeing in the house. That he does right in front of us sometimes. And we clap our hands and grab him and take him outside. He dances around like he's proud of himself. I think he takes our scolding and clapping as praise.

We do move a lot but we have stayed at places longer that a year and it's still an issue. I don't know. I can't see rehoming him. He has it pretty good here. I highly doubt anyone else would have the patience.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

Have you tried feeding him in his crate? sometimes that helps to define the space as home vs potty. Also--is it possible he is marking? A good scrub with some Natures Miracle might help to rid the place of any smells from other animals, as well as his own marking. Sorry I don't have more to offer--it's a difficult situation with a little one crawling around!

 

[Saje]

Thanks I always feed him in his crate. And I use an enzyme cleaner to clean The crate thing isn't really the biggest issue. If he gets out it's my mistake and I'll clean it. I really want to get to the point where he doesn't have to be locked up when I'm not around.