Keeping Older Dogs Trained!

[whitestar505]

Hi All,


I am currently running into a problem with my older dogs not only with their health but their training. Both dogs came to me housebroken but, as each day goes by I wonder what is going on.
As most of us both my wife and myself work and have to leave them at home during the day. For some years now it was not a problem except for the occasional accidents. As we are moving into the upper years now they seem not to be able to wait as long as before, before going outside. We have gone from a 6 hours to four hours if that. Am I doing something wrong ? Can't get after them because I do not who is the one. I look forward to your input. Thanks

[Amanda]

Hello Whitestar and welcome! First of all, how old are your dogs? Sometimes as dogs (as well as people) get older, they have less bladder control. Perhaps a trip to the vet will be a good idea to rule out possible urinary tract infection (or any other type of infection). If your vet finds that there is no medical reason/problem, then I would say that probably it's just due to the aging process. If the cause is related to his/her age and loosing bladder control, then perhaps you can have a neighbor or family member come to your house sometime during the day to let the dogs out.

Anyway, good luck & keep me up to date on how things go.

[Squawksx3]

I agree with Amanda. You might also consider putting in a doggy door. I have one that fits in a sliding glass door and is wonderful... we never have to open doors to let the animals out... we could be gone all day and they have access to the backyard 24/7. All our dogs and cats use the door... our foster dogs pick it up real quick and use it to with no problem.
Best of luck to you :).

[whitestar505]

Squawksx3,

The doggie door sound good. I have a slider door in the back with a fence in yard. Where can I get one of these?

Even though this a very good idea, one of them has a hard time climbing steps. There is 17 off the back deck.

[whitestar505]

Amanda,

As you can seen on my post how old my dogs are. Age is a problem, as me. They have been very good in past years. Sign of the times is guess. I will hold on to then until the end has to come.

[Squawksx3]

I bought my first doggy door at Petsmart, it was a large size. Then we rescued our 150 lb Rott/GSD and he was too big to fit thru the large door, so I went on-line and bought an X-large door that works. I'm not sure who I got it from, but there are many sites that have them. Just search around for the best price and what would fit your needs... type in "dog door" in "SEARCH". Let me know if you have any problems and I'll help. My German Shepherd has problems with a back leg because he blew it out last year and had to have surgery... he's still not 100%, but he goes thru the door with no problems. I would think that the door is pretty low to the ground and your dog should be able to go thru it with no problem. Best of luck to you :)

[whitestar505]

Squawksx3,

I have seen these pet doors all over but never for a slider door.

I am just wondering how it works and still is secure.

Thanks

[Squawksx3]

Its a panel door that fits in the tracks of your sliding glass door. You wont be able to close your slider all the way because of the panel, but its very secure and you can still lock the slider.
Here are a few sites:

I got mine here....
http://www.petdoors.com/panel_pet_door_info.htm

http://www.dog-training-shop.com/Delux_pet_panel_SGD_AR31-311-11.htm

http://www.doors4pets.com/Pet_Doors/ppd.asp

http://thepetdoorstore.com/petdoors/sliding/slidingindex.html

Hope this helps :)

[Lvpets]

The doggie door is a great idea and you may have to put a ramp outside to take place of the stairs.

[whitestar505]

The doggie door is great! But, dogs are to old to climb 13 steps. I would worry about the oldest during the winter.

[eth_ng]

The doggy door is a good idea but make sure the area you let them out into is properly fenced in - you don't want your dogs to escape!

[wolf_luver]

hey every one i wanna dog but me meany mum won't let me get one arrg

[Love Bird B]

LOL, Wolf_luver! Someday you'll have the dog you want when you have your own place. Have you discussed why you can't have one now with your mum?