Gah. Stupid Poodle Doing It Again!!!

[Skyesrocket]

Considering his age, and that he was good for so long, I think it's time to get a vet check. He could have a uti. As far as the pooping maybe skip the evening meal or give it to him earlier. So he has a chance to go before bedtime.
It's hell to get old. I know...I'm there!

Things change with age and most of the changes aren't for the better.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
You are not coming across as uptight to me, but if you haven't had a bunch of dogs over 27+ years, there's things you won't run across

Some dogs don't drink as much as others, I have two that don't and they need more to make their system run better.

What do you feed him? If it's dry food, do this... take his daily feeding (or 2x a day or whatever you feed him) and soak it in 2 cups of water for about 2 minutes before giving it to him. If he's like my dogs and love to eat, he will eat all the food AND the water with it. This also gives you an opportunity to put a capful of vinegar in it.

 

[SillyChicken]

Try to rule out anything physically wrong with him with your vet.

I'd definatly be crating him at night and when you can't watch him. We'll put a leash on puppies and hook it to our belt, so they have to follow us everywhere. I'd also get on a schedule for feeding, walking and taking him outside to do his business.

Take him for a walk everyday as well, it may help his metabolism, needing more water, and moving his bowls at more appropriate times.

Also, do you allow him to feed through out the day or does he get fed only once or twice a day? I would only feed twice a day, half portions for a daily amount. This will also regulate BMs.

And finally, I'd make him earn everything he does, including attention, food etc... make him do some obedience before you put his bowl down, make him sit and wait to eat until you tell him too. Keep him off furniture etc.. If he doesn't have any physical or mental health issues, he might just be doing it cause he can.

good luck!

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

I don't know a lot about training dogs, but I understand this was your Mothers dog, right?
A Poodle....owner passed away...it sounds like the dog is having issues about his owner being gone.

I do know that poodles get very attached to one person, and they grieve for years when that person is no longer with them. You may not ever get him to quit completely from doing this. I would suggest a lot more love and attention to the dog, check with a vet to make sure there is not a medical reason for this, and understand his best friend left and he doesn't understand why she hasn't come back to get him.
Dogs grieve in different ways, and they have bad days and good days.

I like the idea of keeping the dog with you at all times while you are at home, and when you can't have him tied to you, crate him. It might help him bond to you.
I commend you for keeping the promise of caring for him that you made to your mother.

Good luck!

Jean

 

[Chickenmaven]

I think he has "Old Timers."

 

[OccamsTazer]

Given his age, the weird behavior and concentrated pee could indicate an issue, you might want to get him checked out.
When I was working as a vet tech, I noticed a lot of older little dogs would have bladder stones. Kidney issues, diabetes and UTI problems could also possibly cause that kind of behavior. It could also just be non-medical acting out.

The walrus-pooping cracked me up, one of my dogs does that as well. We call him the Travelin' Pooper.


He's a cutie, sorry he's giving you hell.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

A lot of older dogs do better on a more regular and more frequent schedule to go outside. It's fine to expect all dogs to simply ask you if they need or want to go out. Unfortunately, there are some dogs that just don't do as well that way. Dogs that did fine when younger, may start to have more of a problem when they get older, too. For dogs like this, I just remember to ask them or send/take them outside certain times of the day, every day. Just like with puppies.

 

[Slinkytoys]

Wellllll.........there are reasons that certain dogs end up in rescue. Just sayin'
Slinky

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
excellent advice,,I am leaning toward a emotional issue,,even if you treat him well,,he still knows you dont like him,,you havent bonded with this dog,you need to try to do that or leave diapers on him forever.Sense you dont know his past he probably NEVER bonded with humans and it will always be a challange with him.but with work it should get better.

 

[WriterofWords]

It sounds like he's unhappy and bored, he needs a home that will love him, take care of him, interact with him and treat him as though he is loved member of the family. You say you kept him when your mom passed? He is probably grieving for that loving connection and missing her. Find him a home that will value him, be with him all the time, and love him dearly. It's nice that you wanted to care for your mom's dog, but it sounds like you are as unhappy as he is and it's fair to either of you to enforce that promise, release yourself from it and do the right thing for the dog.