• Even if there is a definable contributing medical condition, the loss of house training often becomes ingrained as 'normal' and requires retraining to resolve. Using a crate is a good approach as most pets will not soil their immediate environment - the fact that one of the dogs cited above does, again reinforces the likelihood of an underlying medical problem. Frequent walks with retraining can also be helpful. Rather than simply letting them outdoors in the yard for periods of time, it is important to take the pet on a supervised walk with praise and treats when the appropriate urination/defecation takes place.
• Depending upon the outcomes from the above, another option would be to explore a referral to a veterinary behaviourist (a veterinarian with additional training in addressing animal behavioural problems). Changes in elimination behaviour can be a component of more complex behavioural problems like separation anxiety and these can often be controlled through a combination of behavioural modification and medication.
While the recommendations above are broad and general, they should pick up and provide a starting point to finding the solutions you are both looking for. I wish you all the success in resolving the problems you are currently facing!
Car sickness remedy
Dear Dr. Walt: I just finished reading your column re: car sickness in dogs, on the Canadian Living website, and thought you would be interested in our solution. Years ago, we had a German shepherd dog who had the same problem....I couldn't take her even a couple of blocks before she would start getting sick.
Someone told us to try "static strips"....these were two leather/metal strips that were attached on either side of the car to the rear axle (I think) of the car, and made contact with the road. As soon as we did this, she was fine. However, the car sickness would recur every few months as the strips wore down but was quickly resolved again by applying new strips. We lived in Manitoba at the time, and had to move back to Saskatchewan, so we were grateful that this worked for us! I was told that this also helps prevent carsickness in humans too, but never had that problem with any of our kids.
Page 2 of 2 -- On page 1, learn how to deal with accidents caused by grown dogs in the house.
About Dr. Walt Ingwersen
Dr. Walt Ingwersen is Chief Veterinary Officer at PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. He is a 1982 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College. Board certified in Internal Medicine, he has the distinction of being the first Canadian editor of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, a position he currently holds.
Involved in many aspects of the national and international veterinary community, "Dr. Walt" is the recipient of the President's Award for outstanding contribution to the veterinary profession awarded by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). He is also Chief Veterinary Officer and Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Board at PetCare Insurance Brokers Ltd. -- Canada's leading provider of insurance for dogs and cats.
