Senior dog messing house at night

[eheale]

Hello - Im new to the website. My Maremma Sheepdog is 13 and a half. In the last 2 months she has started messing the house, in the living room at night time. We feed her once a day around 5pm and she always asks to go out to the garden straight after her dinner where she has a number 2. We are out of the house in the morning so it's not as if we can feed her earlier because presumably the same thing would happen while we are at work. 4.45pm is the earliest we can feed her. She never used to do this - is it a sign of old age? And does anyone please have some suggestions. She doesn't do it every night, but probably 2 x a week. Thank you. Emily

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

It could be something to do with the aging process.

I would have a checkup done, and if nothing significant is found, I would barricade her outside the living room if possible.

You might consider gating her inside your bedroom so you will hear her if she needs to go out to toilet during the night.

 

[Carmenita]

She is pretty old, so it is sort of expected. It may be just a bladder problem.

 

[Debi]

I had a little Cairn that lived to be 16. at the age of 15, he just had problems holding his bladder. not sure what they may be able to do now, but at that time my vet didn't have any medical suggestions...just that it was his age. since he couldn't help it, I didn't make a fuss..but I did move his bed into the laundryroom at night. he never seemed to mind, and it was an easy surface to clean. he also became so unable to tolerate the cold temps, and it was winter. I'd ask your vet, and go from there. if he has been trained all these years, you know it's not something he wants to do.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

Maybe getting up sometime during the night and taking her out might do the trick.

Pam

 

[Tinaweena]

I do hope you're able to get this sorted out. Even set an alarm for yourself to get up and relieve the poor thing. A dog that has been housetrained it's whole life, and then starts having accidents feels very bad about it, and it can affect their mental health. They know they are being dirty, and don't like having to do it, but sometimes...when you gotta go, you gotta go!
I had a senior dog, who was sick with renal disease for about 3 days before we had him pts, he was very poorly and would still do anything he could to get to the outdoors to do his business, poor guy.

 

[Cassiepeia]

I'd take her straight to the vet to have her checked out. Although it's probaby just old age, it's better to be sure.

I like the idea of taking her out during the night too. Does she have access to water all night? You might like to remove that each night after she's had her last meal of the day.

Cass.

 

[LabMumSF]

Yes this is definitely normal and age-related, and it happens to people too!

There is a medication that she can get that improves the bladder muscle which will help her hold it better...check with your vet about that.

Otherwise, there is always adult dog diapers (much like Depends for people)

Finally, try to never get upset or angry with her for messing up, for it is a lot of stress for an old dog who used to be completely housebroken to mess up because she simply cannot help it. If you are upset at her, she will feel ever worse.