Our Dog.

mrsk616 · January 2015

We have a siberian husky that is about 9 years old. she has not been able to make it through a day without pooping or peeing in the house. she is potty trained so i dont understand why the hell she is doing this. In the summer and warmer winter days we will take her for a walk around the block. well lately because of the weather we have not been able to take her, so she has been acting out. When we move in together the dog is staying with his mom because of the street our house is on (too many semis go up and down our street)

what are some ways to get this dog back to behaving before we are forced to take her with us which is the last resort because she is a escape artist\

TIA

jkrok5955 · January 2015

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luckya23 · January 2015

Can you crate her during the day?

My dog has also been doing this, but in the overnight - she ate a toy and I've been finding pieces of it in her poop for days. So maybe your dog has an upset tummy. My last dog would pee in the house only when he had a bladder or urinary tract infection, up until about the last 3 months of his life. He passed in his sleep, so I don't know what was wrong with him at the end.

Second the suggestion for more exercise - but I've also been lazy about it with the terrible weather!

SJM7538 · January 2015

just an observation but it doesn't seem like you like your dog very much. I would never refer to any of my four dogs as "this dog." maybe I'm wrong and reading too much into it.

anywho... first take her to the vet and rule out any medical issues. huskies are pure bred and have a life span of 12 to 14 years so 9 is borderline her being a senior dog. so it could very well be a health issue. my uncles husky didn't make it past ten and was incontinent since she was 8.

second if it's not medical she could be acting out Bc she's not getting enough exercise. huskies are energetic dogs. maybe she needs to get more energy out... and it's cold yes but huskies are bred for cold weather. so I say bundle up and try to get her out for more walks to see if it helps.

you can also go a behaviorist. you're vet can refer you to one and most can address an issue like this with a phone consult.

SJM7538 · January 2015

no idea why that double posted under my old username

mrsk616 · January 2015

the incident today might be caused by the one yesterday where she got into the trash. we will play games with the treats and have her running around the house but because she thrives and loves this weather she has been wanting to go for walks, FMIL wont walk her after FMIL tripped and fell while walking her and we havent been able to go out ourselves because FI hurt his foot. but i am thinking this is what she wants is walks.

as for the crate, she hates it. to get her to behave we have to tell her cage and she behaves. if shes scared because we said bath or it is thundering she hides in it, its strange.

mrsk616 · January 2015

SJM7538 said:

just an observation but it doesn't seem like you like your dog very much. I would never refer to any of my four dogs as "this dog." maybe I'm wrong and reading too much into it. anywho... first take her to the vet and rule out any medical issues. huskies are pure bred and have a life span of 12 to 14 years so 9 is borderline her being a senior dog. so it could very well be a health issue. my uncles husky didn't make it past ten and was incontinent since she was 8. second if it's not medical she could be acting out Bc she's not getting enough exercise. huskies are energetic dogs. maybe she needs to get more energy out... and it's cold yes but huskies are bred for cold weather. so I say bundle up and try to get her out for more walks to see if it helps. you can also go a behaviorist. you're vet can refer you to one and most can address an issue like this with a phone consult.

i said dog because he got her before i came around for his son. i love her like i loved my own but its hard for me to call her my own at times. idk its hard to explain. i think the cat hides from her most of the day but chasing him is a good form of exercise. we do need to take her to the vets within the month for her shots the last guy he didnt like and i certainly was sure she was afraid of him. that day also she was afraid of losing me. lol when we picked my car up from the dealer she freaked out from what my FI said and watched for me out the back window of his car.

this weekend im thinking of taking her to the park as long as its not raining as it will be in the upper 30s (FINALLY)

SJM7538 · January 2015

so does your fiancé live with FMIL Now and the dog is staying at her house when you move in together? that's what I'm getting out of this... so it sounds like she is your fiancés dog?

if FMIL refuses to walk her then who is going to walk her when you two move in together? won't the problem just continue if no one is walking her?

can you at least contain Her to an area during the day where there is tile or wood floors until you get the problem resolved ?

luckya23 · January 2015

Mind you, my dog's poop looks normal, but I'm fairly sure it's been bothering her. Why she has to pee with it I do not know - that's so much worse to clean up!!

That dog is pretty ok with the crate (though she's rarely locked in and not for long periods - haven't attempted that yet); my other dog puts the crate in the NOPE category, along with generally being out of sight of one of us :-P

I've started feeding that active dog out of a treat ball or a tug a jug just to get a little more stimulation for her in the house. Sometimes she will play ball in the house too.

SJM7538 · January 2015

mrsk616 said:

SJM7538 said:

just an observation but it doesn't seem like you like your dog very much. I would never refer to any of my four dogs as "this dog." maybe I'm wrong and reading too much into it.

anywho... first take her to the vet and rule out any medical issues. huskies are pure bred and have a life span of 12 to 14 years so 9 is borderline her being a senior dog. so it could very well be a health issue. my uncles husky didn't make it past ten and was incontinent since she was 8.

second if it's not medical she could be acting out Bc she's not getting enough exercise. huskies are energetic dogs. maybe she needs to get more energy out... and it's cold yes but huskies are bred for cold weather. so I say bundle up and try to get her out for more walks to see if it helps.

you can also go a behaviorist. you're vet can refer you to one and most can address an issue like this with a phone consult.

i said dog because he got her before i came around for his son. i love her like i loved my own but its hard for me to call her my own at times. idk its hard to explain. i think the cat hides from her most of the day but chasing him is a good form of exercise. we do need to take her to the vets within the month for her shots the last guy he didnt like and i certainly was sure she was afraid of him. that day also she was afraid of losing me. lol when we picked my car up from the dealer she freaked out from what my FI said and watched for me out the back window of his car.

this weekend im thinking of taking her to the park as long as its not raining as it will be in the upper 30s (FINALLY)

yeah I'd consult the vet. just from you telling me her age and the fact that it's never been an issue before makes me think possible medical issue

mrsk616 · January 2015

SJM7538 said:

so does your fiancé live with FMIL Now and the dog is staying at her house when you move in together? that's what I'm getting out of this... so it sounds like she is your fiancés dog? if FMIL refuses to walk her then who is going to walk her when you two move in together? won't the problem just continue if no one is walking her? can you at least contain Her to an area during the day where there is tile or wood floors until you get the problem resolved ?

Stuck in the darn box

yes he lives at home with his mom. the dog was a gift to his son. baby momma left shortly after tried taking dog to sell her and FI told her no i paid for her.

as for the walking i think FMIL might be more willing to walk her once their is no ice on the ground. but maybe we would go over once or twice a week or something. i wish we could take her because i enjoy having a dog around after losing mine 4 yrs ago and she helped me through it but our street is just too busy with semis going up and down it.

as for keeping her to one spot.... shed escape somehow she actually broke the cage to many times to count.

SJM7538 · January 2015

that's awful! why would you want to sell your sons dog?? I bet she's a peach. lol

Honeslty assuming she's healthy to me it just sounds like she's got pent up energy and Is acting out. I mean my 18 lb dachsund started doing the same thing bc he can't really go out into the yard Bc he's too short and there is so much snow. it happens every winter. so I can imagine how much energy a larger dog must have.

Couggal12 · January 2015

I would consult with your vet about why she is going to the bathroom in the house. Sometimes it's a medical related condition, sometimes it's behavioral. A vet will be able to help you with that.

My second suggestion would be to crate your dog, but, it sounds like she is fearful of that. Maybe a vet has ideas for you or can refer you to a dog behavior specialist.

Another thing I would suggest if your dog is an escape artist is to possibly exercise her more? Even if the weather sucks you should still try to take her on a small walk. Many breeds are high strung and NEED daily exercise.

ShesSoCold · January 2015

I'm no vet and I recommend going to one to rule out anything, but I had a similar situation earlier this summer. My dog has a bladder of steel and can easily go 12 hours between outings. When my mom got sick, I was spending all of my time with her (outside of work) so Edna was home alone too much. She started shitting and pissing on the floor to get my attention.

It sounds like this dog needs exercise (and it's never too cold to walk a husky, unless you live in northern AK or Canada or Antarctica) and/or mental stimulation.

Maggie0829 · January 2015

It seems like the reason that she is fearful of the crate is because you use it as a threat of punishment if she is acting out, instead of making it a warm and welcoming place for her.

I think a lot may have to do with her age. As dogs get older they can't hold it as long as they used to.

Also, it sounds like she has a lot of pent up energy. Huskies love the winter and love to run. If all she is doing is getting a quick trip out back to pee and poop then of course she is getting frustrated. Also, playing with her in the house is no where near the same as taking her out for a long walk or allowing her to run around a dog park. I know you said your FI can't walk her because of his foot but can you? I have a yellow lab and taking her for walks in this gold ass weather sucks. But I have to do what I have to do because she needs the exercise or she will go crazy. It is just part of having a dog. And this dog is going to be yours now so if your FI can't walk her then you need to step up to the plate.

mrsk616 · January 2015

SJM7538 said:

that's awful! why would you want to sell your sons dog?? I bet she's a peach. lol Honeslty assuming she's healthy to me it just sounds like she's got pent up energy and Is acting out. I mean my 18 lb dachsund started doing the same thing bc he can't really go out into the yard Bc he's too short and there is so much snow. it happens every winter. so I can imagine how much energy a larger dog must have.

thats a whole other story. we wont go there. lol

this dog is so strange sometimes. you could rob the place and she wouldnt budge.

vulpiepop · January 2015

This can be so many things. Definitely take her to the vet and get her checked out. It may be a medical problem (hopefully not though).

Did you guys just move? Did you change her food? Too many sudden changes can sometimes make a dog temporarily ill or nervous and they can become incontinent. When I moved with my dog, he started throwing up and pooping indoors. The vet found no health problems, he was just sick from the move.

Huskies are generally energetic dogs. Are you taking her on long walks? Playing with her outside? It may help if you tire her out a bit.

It can also be a power struggle between the dog and human. I had my dog since he was a puppy and brought him with me when I moved with FI. FI is now the new guy in the pack and it's a constant power struggle between him and our dog. While I'm around, Apollo (the dog) will behave but left on their own, he apparently misbehaves and poops everywhere when FI takes him out. It's starting to get better as FI started to assert his place in the pack as I've been telling him to do from the start but it takes some work and time.

JCbride2015 · January 2015

Ditto PPs that it mostly sounds like she just needs walks and exercise. Can you walk her yourself?

Once you and Fi move out and FMIL keeps her, you guys coming back once or twice a week will not be nearly enough if FMIL isn't walking her herself. Believe me; my own FMIL has this thing about their dogs and will not walk them. She keeps pee pee pads in the kitchen instead. It's disgusting. Don't let this happen to your dog (or your FMIL).

One more thought. What about putting her in doggie day care for half a day a few times a week, or better yet, every day? If you find a good place, she will get a ton of exercise and socialization with other dogs. We have several of them around where we live (it's a big city) and I've heard great things. It's a financial commitment, but you've gotta give either money or time

penguin44 · January 2015

It does sound like she isn't getting enough exercise, but I agree with PPs that you should take her to the vet just in case.

We have been doing a lot of fetch and training with our dogs while it's been cold. I try to at least walk them around the street twice a week. My dogs don't like the cold though, so they have no desire to go out.

If your FI isn't able to give the dog exercise, maybe you could step up and help with walks.

My dogs don't like crates either. Like they have broken out of them in the past. They also hate being locked in a bedroom. We use baby gates to gate off half of the house. So they stay in the living room all day.

larrygaga · January 2015

You know that huskies are built to run for days and they are work dogs right? Taking it out once a day is not nearly enough ex cerise for a husky. It's probably getting revenge on you because it's bored and has too much energy. People need to be researching dogs before getting it based on cuteness.

I love huskies and I love taking them out on the sled. My uncles dogs will pull us around for hours and hours at a time. They can't go from that to a walk around the block that makes no sense

QueerFemme · January 2015

First, the dog is 9 years old, it could be a medical issue, like other people have said. It could also be that you are leaving her in the house too long. At 9 years old, she may need to pee and poop more often than she did at 5 years old.

Also, make sure you are running her energy out before you leave, and not free- feeding. She should be fed in the morning, ran/exercised to make sure she poops and then let back in the house when she is nice & tired. It sounds like the dog, in addition to possibly having a medical condition that might warrant a vet visit, is bored. Dogs need exercise and mental stimulation. It doesn't sound like this dog is getting that enough.

ETA: Dogs need exercise even when it's cold and raining. If your FI can't do it, or FMIL won't do it, either you (or someone else) needs to do it, or you need to hire a dog walker.

porkchops926 · January 2015

I think it's pretty clear when you say that the peeing and pooping didn't start until you stopped walking her, so that's most likely the reason she's doing it, as you said.

Why does the weather keep you from walking her? Unless you have a tiny toy dog who gets enough exercise in the house, dogs need at least 1 decent walk a day.

My dog used to act out in the house by destroying molding. I used to just let her out in the yard in the morning, but that wasn't fixing the problem. I was a new dog owner at the time (she was FI's) and I didn't know anything about caring for one. I started walking her every morning and it's fixed every issue. Sheis not a hardy dog, she's a little short haired skinny thing who is used to tropical climates, but I still take her for a walk before work even if it's raining or snowing, below freezing , what-have-you. I just put her sweater and her little booties on and we're good to go. She'd be miserable without it.

mrsk616 · January 2015

its became more often after we stopped walking her. she was doing it before but it was usually revenge when FMIL left to run an errand and she was pissed that she left. now its just been more constant.

i dont go over there as often usually thursday-sunday because of my work location and my FI works longer hours than i do. i just go home to my parents. (FMIL and i dont get along so i am never there if he not there) im hoping the weather is not to sloppy and we can find a dog park to take her too.

he did do research on her breed before getting her knew what was expected of the breed.

ShesSoCold · January 2015

mrsk616 said: its became more often after we stopped walking her. she was doing it before but it was usually revenge when FMIL left to run an errand and she was pissed that she left. now its just been more constant.
i dont go over there as often usually thursday-sunday because of my work location and my FI works longer hours than i do. i just go home to my parents. (FMIL and i dont get along so i am never there if he not there) im hoping the weather is not to sloppy and we can find a dog park to take her too.
he did do research on her breed before getting her knew what was expected of the breed.

EDITED FOR DISAPPEARING BOXES Honestly is sounds like you're looking for some easy "bop her on the nose and be done" fix and that you're not willing to actually do any work. A dog does not give a fuck about "sloppy" weather and it needs exercise, especially a husky. My friend has a husky and twice a day he rides his bike with the dog running along side him for like 10 miles. Regardless of whether or not he wants to or the weather or if he likes his MIL.

larrygaga · January 2015

mrsk616 said:
its became more often after we stopped walking her. she was doing it before but it was usually revenge when FMIL left to run an errand and she was pissed that she left. now its just been more constant.

i dont go over there as often usually thursday-sunday because of my work location and my FI works longer hours than i do. i just go home to my parents. (FMIL and i dont get along so i am never there if he not there) im hoping the weather is not to sloppy and we can find a dog park to take her too.

he did do research on her breed before getting her knew what was expected of the breed.

So why isn't he excerising her?

You guys choose to get this dog now own up and take care of it. It's dependent upon you. Or give it to someone who will take care of it and don't get another animal.

JCbride2015 · January 2015

mrsk616 said:

its became more often after we stopped walking her. she was doing it before but it was usually revenge when FMIL left to run an errand and she was pissed that she left. now its just been more constant.

i dont go over there as often usually thursday-sunday because of my work location and my FI works longer hours than i do. i just go home to my parents. (FMIL and i dont get along so i am never there if he not there) im hoping the weather is not to sloppy and we can find a dog park to take her too.

he did do research on her breed before getting her knew what was expected of the breed.

PPs have covered the fact that basically everything in this quote box is a lame excuse. Your Fi researched the breed, so he knows how much exercise they need. She must be exercised daily for long periods of time. Bottom line.

The bolded frustrates me because this is language I hear from other people who are not good pet owners. Your animal does not have emotions. She does not take revenge. She does not get pissed off. She is acting out because she is not being properly taken care of. This is your problem, not because your dog has an imaginary attitude.

larrygaga · January 2015

Yeah when I said your dog was getting revenge I was being facetious. I was hoping you would pick up on that and not actually use it as an excuse.

Even if your dog was getting revenge you guys would deserve it. How would you like to be cooped up all day because the only person who let you out didn't feel like it?

penguin44 · January 2015

So he researched the breed. Knew he couldn't give the dog proper exercise, and now is complaining that the dog is upset because she isn't getting what she needs. This seriously frustrates me.

Dogs don't understand that their human has to work all day. They just want to be loved. Part of that is giving them exercise.

I could keep going, but I'm starting to get upset...

Maggie0829 · January 2015

JCbride2015 said:

mrsk616 said:

its became more often after we stopped walking her. she was doing it before but it was usually revenge when FMIL left to run an errand and she was pissed that she left. now its just been more constant.

i dont go over there as often usually thursday-sunday because of my work location and my FI works longer hours than i do. i just go home to my parents. (FMIL and i dont get along so i am never there if he not there) im hoping the weather is not to sloppy and we can find a dog park to take her too.

he did do research on her breed before getting her knew what was expected of the breed.

PPs have covered the fact that basically everything in this quote box is a lame excuse. Your Fi researched the breed, so he knows how much exercise they need. She must be exercised daily for long periods of time. Bottom line.

The bolded frustrates me because this is language I hear from other people who are not good pet owners. Your animal does not have emotions. She does not take revenge. She does not get pissed off. She is acting out because she is not being properly taken care of. This is your problem, not because your dog has an imaginary attitude.

I also question whether or not FMIL is letting the dog out prior to leaving to run her errands. Since FMIL refuses to take the dog for a walk that leads me to believe that the FMIL is not letting the dog out before she leaves, thus the dog, being 9 years old, can't hold it like she used to and has to relieve herself inside because what other choice does the dog have.

lovegood90 · January 2015

PPs have hit the nail on the head. She needs exercise.

Also, a lot of first-time dog owners don't realize that a walk is not just around the block, allow them to poop, and done. Big, energetic breeds like huskies need to be tired after their walks- going to the park so they can run around, or if you're not comfortable with the dog off its leash, walking for at least 30 mins.

For comparison-I grew up with labs and retrievers- basically larger, energetic, "working" dogs. We would walk them 2-3 times a day, at least one of those walks being running around. If we did anything less they would start to gain weight.

ETA: I'd LOVE to get a dog right now. Seriously, I talk about it all the time with my SO. But I know that it would be irresponsible of me to get any type of dog right now because I'm never home and I travel a lot too. I know you said he did his research about the breed, but it really sounds like he didn't research enough if he thinks this type of dog fits into his lifestyle.

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