Issue with behaviour on old dog

[Renz]

Hi There,

I had my Staffy x since 12 years. He is very well behaved and always done his business out of everyone's way as I taught him when he was a pup throughout training. I have the feeling he understood the purpose of the procedure. Thoughout his life I kept having compliments of people amazed by how he would back into a bush to do that.

Now since about 1 year, he has the tendency of pooing on the footpath when we go for a walk. It is pretty much automatic when we go to the park, he does it on the footpath on our way there. So I am wondering what may had happened in his head, or maybe its a bowel problem?

I personally have a feeling it is psychological but then again it can be something else. His brain seems to be functioning normally.

If anyone had this prob before, let me know as it is a bit of a head scratcher.

Many thanks.

[maddogdodge]

I'd suggest a vet check to make sure everything physically and mentally is okay with your old boy.

My Kelpie is now almost 12 years old. She always used to go to the toilet on the grass in our backyard but now days she goes on the back deck or on the concrete in the yard. I believe the main reason for her doing this is because she has arthritis in all her legs so she finds it difficult to get down to the grass. I think there is also an element of laziness to it as well, she's not got the energy she used to, so chooses to just take the easy way out and go wherever she pleases.

She did have a UTI last year which was causing her to urinate in random places too.

[Kalacreek]

Yes a vet check is always good for an older dog, so that would be the first port of call. I agree though that it probably just due to age and things hurting and laziness as they age. I wouldn't worry personally. Just make sure you have a poo bag to pick it up. I can tell you that as we all age we get less inclined to be as energetic as we were when we were young and old dogs often do their thing and what suits them. Old dogs are treasures and sometimes we just have to be able to accept the idiosyncrasies that often come with age.

[Renz]

Hi there,

I knew that you guys were going to say this. How predictable....

We do not trust vets as none of the many we have seen in 12 years had demonstrated any form of know how in how to care for an animal. They know how to prescribe medication that is irrelevant to us and usually has no idea whosoever in dog psychology. They also know well on how to make you feel guilty if you don't use their over rated services.

Anyway this forum is also to me a nest of poor ideas, as last time I was told off as I was asking some advice to have puppies at home, I was treated of being a backyard breeder and all sort of funny names. The funny thing is is that this forum advertise as being specialised in cross breeds along with inbreeds...err purebred my apologies... Cross breeds are issue of home breeding in the first place or are they not.

*FRUSTRATED*

[maddogdodge]

We do not trust vets as none of the many we have seen in 12 years had demonstrated any form of know how in how to care for an animal. They know how to prescribe medication that is irrelevant to us and usually has no idea whosoever in dog psychology. They also know well on how to make you feel guilty if you don't use their over rated services.

I think that very much depends on what vet you go to. There are a lot of vets out there just like what you have described but that is no reason to not trust any vets. Same situation with doctors there are good ones and not so good ones...

My 12 year old dog has severe arthritis in her elbows and hips, if I did what you suggest and rule out vets, she would be laying on her bed all day completely miserable and in a lot of pain. But no, I did the responsible thing and went to a great specialist vet who recommended natural things to alleviate her pain as well as doing some chiropractic treatment which also helped her. My old girl is much happier and living a mostly normal life.

As for irrelevant medications... again very much depends on the situation, but most vets won't prescribe medications unless there is a good reason for it. And vets having no idea on dog psychology... depends on the vet, but if you want to get into a dogs head you go to a dog behaviourist, not a vet.

[Kalacreek]

Hi there,

I knew that you guys were going to say this. How predictable....

We do not trust vets as none of the many we have seen in 12 years had demonstrated any form of know how in how to care for an animal. They know how to prescribe medication that is irrelevant to us and usually has no idea whosoever in dog psychology. They also know well on how to make you feel guilty if you don't use their over rated services.

Anyway this forum is also to me a nest of poor ideas, as last time I was told off as I was asking some advice to have puppies at home, I was treated of being a backyard breeder and all sort of funny names. The funny thing is is that this forum advertise as being specialised in cross breeds along with inbreeds...err purebred my apologies... Cross breeds are issue of home breeding in the first place or are they not.

*FRUSTRATED*

What the hell was that all about! The one thing I regret more than anything in the whole world is not taking my old dog for a checkup when things didn't seem quite right and her behaviour shifted slightly. I thought it was just old age catching up with her. I couldn't have been more wrong and I lost her and I wont go in to the details because it still upsets me, but I will never make that mistake again.

I have had both good and bad vets and currently have a vet that I really trust. She is a sensible compassionate older lady and she does not prescribe for the sake of it.

I have no idea what you wanted us to say, we neither know you or your dog and our suggestions are based on our own experiences with old dogs. What does crossbreeds have to do with this thread I don't give a fig if your dog is a rescue, a crossbred or whatever. Mine are all working bred sheepdogs. The suggestions are given on the basis of it being an older dogs with a change in behaviour. If you think them poor then suit yourself and do whatever.

[maddogdodge]

Where's that like button at. Kalacreek summed it up well!

[Bubbles' Mum]

It's common for all older dogs the changes of their behaviour all you can do is to monitor his diet and give him a proper food for his age and it's better to every month go to your vet for some check up. You need to limit his activities ask some expert about the proper things you need to do when it comes to his activities.

[Beloz]

Sounds like they came on here just trying to bait for a response so they could have that rant about a reaction they didn't like on some other post.

Whatever...

[Kalacreek]

Sounds like they came on here just trying to bait for a response so they could have that rant about a reaction they didn't like on some other post.

Whatever...

Yes I think you are right, that is why I wasn't going to get caught up in the whole cross breeding thing which is totally irrelevant to the old dog question.