older dog urinating in house

[meg321]

I am probably dreaming, but i have an older shih tzu and she has never been potty  trained very well and has always urinated on the carpet.  We just clean up after her and have the carpets cleaned often.  Now she is older, 14 yrs, and getting worse.

I am having my carpet cleaned in a few days and would like any advice on what to do with her.  With the economy bust and I am not well now, its going to be much more difficult.

I would love to hear some ideas...was thinking doggy diapers..is that a good option?

meg

[meg321]

Thanks, I was about to get my feelings hurt so anything answer would have made me feel better.  I have a diaper on her now, she has never been well trained potty-wise, she learns everything else very fast..i don't get it.I am afraid she won't go in it.  Maybe I will remove it and put her out..who knows maybe she will learn..

thanks you two, meg

[April2]

I think at this age the doggy diapers might be your best option. We had to do this with our 13 year old Maltese mix when he started losing control of his bladder. My husband was getting upset with the carpet being ruined. Do let her have time with them off though to go outside and get a breather. Also, start off watching her with them on to make sure she doesn't try to bite them off before you leave her with them on.
I hope this helps a little!

[ginger899]

...Sorry, I should know by now I can't post the word "b-i-t-c-h-e-s!"

[ginger899]

Nothing wrong with the question, Meg. I have been struggling with the answer, that's all. I have no experience with potty-training MY dog because I got her as a rescue, and that was already ok for her.

Are you certain it is a potty-training issue, and not a bladder problem like recurrent cystitis? Or this could be a problem which can happen with spayed ******* (urinary incontinence) You know her better than anyone else, and if this has been going on most of her life, then it maybe isn't that. I don't know. Only a suggestion...
I have heard of a surgery which has had a 75% success rate, where a tiny amount of collagen is injected into the Urethral Sphincter which can help with urinary incontinence. But whether this IS the case, or even whether your dog would be a good candidate for this surgery I don't know. You could mention this to your vet?

If it's behavioural, it's going to be really hard now to try and change her ways after she has done this for a long time. You could try getting her outside to pee. As soon as she does it outside, praise her and give her a treat (You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!)
But for good advice on any potty training issues I hope someone else can comment, because I'm not the best person to ask about this.
Sorry you waited some time for a reply. You must have felt no-one cared (not so. I was just not sure what to suggest before.)

[meg321]

What was wrong that question ??