my dog is drivig me insane.

[RedString]

I'm not usually an angry person. vindictive, maybe, malicious, probably, but not angry. Until now.

My dog is driving me absolutely nuts. I know he's bored because he's not getting quite enough exercise, I can only walk him so much before my SPD acts up to the point where I can't walk anymore. The fact that I walk too slow for him and he's constantly pulling on the lead doesn't help. His walks have suffered greatly this week because of his poor behaviour and my SPD; I haven't been able to take him out properly all week. He still gets his bathroom walks, but apparently he's just as malicious and vindictive as me, because he's been saving it and then going in the house. And it's REALLY pissing me off, because I'm pretty sure I'm nesting, and the smell of dog piss is sending me into rages. Horrible horrible rages. I have never felt so murderous towards an animal.

Like just now he peed in his bed. Aside from taking him out to bathroom, I usually leave him out on the patio during the day. I only brought him in an hour or so ago. The minute I go to lay down, and he pisses himself. I really don't want to rehome him, because he's a nice enough dog, ad Adrian loves him. But I think I have to, because I'm afraid I might throw him into oncoming traffic if he does this again. Now I have to go bleach the floor, AGAIN.

Is anyone else having serious issues with their pets? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? or should I just post the ad on craigslist ad get it over with?

 

[Weeplin]

I don't know hon, but didn't want to R&R. Hope he stops soon x

 

[hope4bubba]

I feel for you with the spd I also have this but do manage an hours walk a day with my dogs albeit slow! Dogs pick up on negative energy and urinate when unsettled he will be well aware you feel this way this could be causing him to wet his bed also bladder infections can cause it you could see the vet and have him checked?. All these changes can be hard on a dog they don't understand. Could your other half not give him an extra walk a day?

 

[Blue_bear]

I feel for you, i have 3 dogs and they are all driving me insane in their own ways. I have been reassured its because they are unsettled and that things will calm down.
I know there are things like hormone plug in sprays you can get that are supposed to help settle them (only ever used the cat one and that was good.)
Is there anyone you can get to help walk him, or find out about a dog walker even if its only a few days a week to help you out. I know its financial outlay but it may be worth it for your sanity! Then like i say hopefully he, and your spd will settle down in a few weeks when bubs arrives.

 

[jakemybaby]

My dog has changed slightly since I got pregnant, she is very clingy with me and wants to follow me everywhere.... If I shut her behind the baby gate in the front room for 5 mins break, I get 5 mins of her whining
It doesn't help that she is shedding her hair... And boy do labradors shed a lot of hair.... I am constantly hoovering up clumps of dead hair.

Yes, she is driving me nuts, but even if she peed or pooped on the floor a hundred times a day, I would not re home her, she is part of our family and when I brought her into this house 9 years ago, I took on the responsibility of looking after her and will do so until the day she passes.

As for walks, I do appreciate how you feel, I find it a struggle too. I use a halt (anti pulling head device) to stop her from pulling too fast, or I take her out in the car to somewhere she can run around free and release some energy. (even at 9 she still runs round like a puppy!). Some days I am in agony when I get back from the walking, but I'm sure the exercise is doing me good and even if it got to the point I couldn't walk her, I would try to find a friend or family member who could help. ( which is what I had to do when I had a c section with my first child.)

As for the your dog doing it's business in the house, it's obviously not doing it out of need as you said you are taking him out for toilet trips. It's a behaviour thing as your dog senses a change is coming... And if you are angry a lot of the time, he's probably picking up on this too, which is making the whole thing a lot worse. You need to get some proper advice, from a vet or maybe join a dog forum, experienced people who can help you solve the issues.

I know that many people re home dogs when the going gets tough and it quite honestly makes me sooo upset. Please try to get to the bottom of your dogs behaviour and solve the situation before making such a drastic decision as to getting rid of your dog.

 

[princess.leah]

I feel your pain!!

We have a bichon frise who is 3 years old. He has always been a naughty attention seaker, who has destroyed anything that isnt nailed down - his beds, mobile phones, papers, socks bras, you name it he will run away with it and he is fast so catching him is a nightmare. We are currently in the process of having new flooring put down in our living room and a new stair carpet as the dog has ruined the carpets. He is casuing costly damage with this peeing malarkey.

However since getting pregnant he has started to pee in the house again last week I had my bedding throw dry cleaned and low and behold the dog ran upstairs and pissed on it!! fuming not the word - I actually cried with frustration!!, and hump my leg like there is no tomorrow. So 2 weeks ago we had him nutered - we wont see the full effect of this for a few weeks yet. I;m hoping this will calm him down. He dosent listen to me at all, he is great for DH but me now way - and I'm the one who looks after him. DH will not here of me giving him to my friend who would provide him with a fab life, walks many times a day and a great environment who she can also control him - unlike me.

I;m not just thinking of myself and the hassel that he is, more thinking along the lines that my friend can give him a better life - when our baby arrives - who will be my priority, however this is work in progress, however I though it was only me that had this issue!!! x

 

[soon to be 3]

lol sorry i really had to laugh because that's just the way im feeling about my dog i swear im going to hurt it soon i have very bad spd to and am using crutches most of the time so i cant take him for nice long runs my mum takes him out in the day but then at night time im alone with him as my OH works nights so he cant to it and he pulls like mad so my 10 year old would only get hurt im telling u this dog just don't shut up and has turned into a right pig wont stop begging for food even when he has just been feed the other day i took him out and put me self in sooooooo much pain only to come home and for him to pee on my bed good job it was the bottom part as it is metal so i could wash it and change all the bedding i keep thinking about giving him up bu he makes my kids feel safe at night when there dad is at work if only there was something we could give them to calm them down lol i hope all our dogs start to behave real soon xxx

 

[Jaz_]

ok just read this an my dogs has been pooping the floor at night for last couple of days i have to admit im not giving him much attention but OH is giving him loads to try to compensate, but hes a weimaraner an a very big one at that!! an even his head is huge, he was trying to give me like a wee hug earlier snuggling his head into my tum, but im scared that he'l move suddenly an hit my bump r jump an hit the bump... feel bad for him, poor wee man but a the same time r dogs will have to get used to a change after all a baby is coming into the house not goin to be the same for them, but doesnt ave to be a bad thing, we just have to adapt to help them to adapt xxx

 

[jellytot3]

You are not the only one feeling this way. I have two dogs, well..puppies. The littlest one still pees and poos in the night then the older one marks over it. it drives me insane. My eldest is a nightmare on walks too, ive come to HATE taking him out. x

 

[Faffalina]

Poor you

My sis ended up rehoming both of her little pugs as they were driving her mad. They were her babies... Until she had a baby.

However, not long to go and as long as your OH will walk the dog when your LO is here things will prob improve! xx

 

[BettyBoop152]

So glad for this thread I feel like I'm not alone!!
I have a 6 year old staff who became very clingy and started humping me and OH at every opportunity so like princess Leah decided to get him neutered but we went to Manchester Dogs Home and when my OH went to pick him up he decided it would be a great idea to get a puppy and surprise me! Boy was I surprised! At first I thought that's a great idea our big boy will have a friend and when baby comes he won't be jealous! Things have been a nightmare! The obvious training issues are a massive hassle but the dogs weren't getting along! We bought a crate as the puppy has chewed through anything and everything BUT perseverance has paid off because the dogs are now becoming friends I'm still really scared of the prospect of 2 dogs and a baby but hopefully OH will help out with walks etc xxxxx

 

[windswept]

My dog has changed slightly since I got pregnant, she is very clingy with me and wants to follow me everywhere.... If I shut her behind the baby gate in the front room for 5 mins break, I get 5 mins of her whining
It doesn't help that she is shedding her hair... And boy do labradors shed a lot of hair.... I am constantly hoovering up clumps of dead hair.

Yes, she is driving me nuts, but even if she peed or pooped on the floor a hundred times a day, I would not re home her, she is part of our family and when I brought her into this house 9 years ago, I took on the responsibility of looking after her and will do so until the day she passes.

As for walks, I do appreciate how you feel, I find it a struggle too. I use a halt (anti pulling head device) to stop her from pulling too fast, or I take her out in the car to somewhere she can run around free and release some energy. (even at 9 she still runs round like a puppy!). Some days I am in agony when I get back from the walking, but I'm sure the exercise is doing me good and even if it got to the point I couldn't walk her, I would try to find a friend or family member who could help. ( which is what I had to do when I had a c section with my first child.)

As for the your dog doing it's business in the house, it's obviously not doing it out of need as you said you are taking him out for toilet trips. It's a behaviour thing as your dog senses a change is coming... And if you are angry a lot of the time, he's probably picking up on this too, which is making the whole thing a lot worse. You need to get some proper advice, from a vet or maybe join a dog forum, experienced people who can help you solve the issues.

I know that many people re home dogs when the going gets tough and it quite honestly makes me sooo upset. Please try to get to the bottom of your dogs behaviour and solve the situation before making such a drastic decision as to getting rid of your dog.

I agree with this response wholeheartedly. Your dog is picking up on negativity and is probably responding to your anger - they don't wake up in the morning and think, 'right, how can I piss her off today', its more a response to other factors.

My 3 angels have occassionally wriled me up this last couple of weeks - their routine is all to pot as they used to come to work with me and all of a sudden they are stuck in the house with shorter, slower walks and, no matter how good a dog, they will respond to this. A routine is important to a dog - they like to know when they will get out and have regular meal times. I admit, my 3 labradors have never really got long walks as part of their routine (as people assume they need) - they are perfectly happy with their half hour morning, noon and night - so long as they get it!

If you can, take him somewhere he can unleash his energy - somewhere he can be off the lead, or like someone suggested, pay someone to tire him out. It's really not his fault, I think we have to take responsibilty for their changing behaviours - esp if he's normally clean and well behaved.

Don't despair - maybe spend a day spoiling him, take him a nice walk (with help if needed), play fetch, give him a bone that will keep him occupied for a while and then lots of cuddles - that might be all the reassurance he needs to come back to his well behaved self. Don't give up on him!

 

[Cupkake.Luver]

I have 3 dogs. They don't bother me at all. I have a cocker spaniel who is like my first son in a way lol. He is so well behaved that no matter what I go through or what happens, I'm never worried about it with him.
My second is a Boxer. The main issue I'm having with him lately is his mouth. URGH! The drolling! Nasty. Its not even necessary when he does it. Then he wants to be close to you and uses your shirt as a napkin. Drives me NUTS!
The third is a chihuahua. He's not much to handle considering he only weights 2lbs (teacup)...but I feel like I'll have the most issue with him once baby toes comes.

Either way, I feel my dogs all know better. When the baby is here I'm not really worried about introducing them to him.

If you feel you can't handle your dog, especially since you have SPD and I'm sure its SUPER tough, you might have to get rid of him. Its less stress on you and might be easier in the long run. Personally I wouldn't give up quite yet, he just could be picking up on your attitude (its okay, your preggos!). Try spending some time just you and him while your in a good mood. See if that helps.

 

[Courtcourt]

Can you get a dog walker once a week to exercise him? He is not TRYING to piss you off, you are his world! Maybe not a popular opinion, but rehoming because of pregnancy makes me so upset.

Maybe I am just jaded from working in rescue, but I have seen too many dogs sit and wait on their owner to return and you can't tell them to top waiting-moms not coming back. Just this morning my husband was in another room and my lab couldn't find him after her breakfast- she was absolutely frantic until she found him. They do have feelings!

(My lab by the way, is 7 and recently had a couple of accidents in the house which is very unlike her. It turns out that she had a bladder infection and just needed some antibiotics to clear it up. She was in pain, not her fault.)

 

[windswept]

(My lab by the way, is 7 and recently had a couple of accidents in the house which is very unlike her. It turns out that she had a bladder infection and just needed some antibiotics to clear it up. She was in pain, not her fault.)

I think most of us with babies lying on bladders and who have had nasty UTIs during pregnancy can sympathise! I know I can!

 

[magicbubble]

i have had to cut down my dogs walks in the past few weeks aswell as hubby has been away and this dog pulls my tummy muscles when he gets over excited - he often gets over excited on his walks! i have ended up just taking him on a patch of grass literally a house away! but i try to make it a bit interesting for him by taking balls and toys with us. i find he excersises himself if he has a ball. i just have to kick it which is easy. it burns off a bit of energy for him at least and he gets so bouncy that he has no option but to let all his bodily motions go. do you think this would help with your dog?

 

[Peachy724]

I'm not usually an angry person. vindictive, maybe, malicious, probably, but not angry. Until now.

My dog is driving me absolutely nuts. I know he's bored because he's not getting quite enough exercise, I can only walk him so much before my SPD acts up to the point where I can't walk anymore. The fact that I walk too slow for him and he's constantly pulling on the lead doesn't help. His walks have suffered greatly this week because of his poor behaviour and my SPD; I haven't been able to take him out properly all week. He still gets his bathroom walks, but apparently he's just as malicious and vindictive as me, because he's been saving it and then going in the house. And it's REALLY pissing me off, because I'm pretty sure I'm nesting, and the smell of dog piss is sending me into rages. Horrible horrible rages. I have never felt so murderous towards an animal.

Like just now he peed in his bed. Aside from taking him out to bathroom, I usually leave him out on the patio during the day. I only brought him in an hour or so ago. The minute I go to lay down, and he pisses himself. I really don't want to rehome him, because he's a nice enough dog, ad Adrian loves him. But I think I have to, because I'm afraid I might throw him into oncoming traffic if he does this again. Now I have to go bleach the floor, AGAIN.

Is anyone else having serious issues with their pets? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? or should I just post the ad on craigslist ad get it over with?

I feel for you and know where you are coming from. I felt like this with my mother in laws dog we were looking after while i was pregnant with my first, it got so bad we had to rehome her but it was for the best, she went to a better home. Both times ive been like this with our cat aswell and felt very hateful towards the poor thing, i never felt like this before or after so know it was all down to being pregnant. Sadly our cat passed away two weeks ago with old age so i don't have the worry anymore but i think i can safely say once the baby is here it will improve and you shouldnt feel that way anymore but i agree about getting advice from your vet or elsewhere as there maybe things you can do to help the dog adjust.
I hope you can cope till the baby is here and dont feel bad as its not your fault, its these bloody hormones i guess, i think its natures way , maternal protectiveness maybe xxxxxx

 

[Brookey]

Can you get a dog walker once a week to exercise him? He is not TRYING to piss you off, you are his world! Maybe not a popular opinion, but rehoming because of pregnancy makes me so upset.

Maybe I am just jaded from working in rescue, but I have seen too many dogs sit and wait on their owner to return and you can't tell them to top waiting-moms not coming back. Just this morning my husband was in another room and my lab couldn't find him after her breakfast- she was absolutely frantic until she found him. They do have feelings!

(My lab by the way, is 7 and recently had a couple of accidents in the house which is very unlike her. It turns out that she had a bladder infection and just needed some antibiotics to clear it up. She was in pain, not her fault.)

totally agree, im not doubting that you find it tough with spd but it does upset me that people can talk so easily about just getting rid of their pets. There are so many dogs in rescue homes through no fault of their own, instead of getting mad every time the dog goes to the toilet in the house, try and understand why it is doing it.

A dog doesnt have the thought process to think "i know how to annoy her, il go toilet in the house!". There is obviously a reason why. If he is just shut out on the patio all day hes probably bored. Could you hire a dog walker to take him out a couple of times a day with other dogs so he can let off some energy?

I dont want to come across as judgmental but it really gets on my nerves that people think that dogs can just be brought and then "got rid" of so easily.

Google Cesar Milan to get some good tips on how to resolve bad behaviour.

 

[Boony]

I've recently been having a few problems with my akita since I had to have my other dog put down a few weeks ago. I was advised to put rescue remedy in her water and it calmed her down within a day! might be worth a try for some of you.

Also those of with dogs that pull as you can imagine walking an akita isnt easy even my dh has problems sometimes. We bought a halti lead it kinda looks like a muzzle but it isn't and it doesnt hurt and now even I can walk her at 24 weeks pregnant they are amazing and made a big difference almost immediately and then after a year they are supposed to be ok without it on aswell we've only been using ours a couple of months and only cost a tenner!

 

[RedString]

Okay, First of all, I didn't come to the thought of rehoming him easily. I'm not the kid of person who gets a pet and then turns around and leaves it. But we've only had him since January and I'm honestly starting to think getting him was a bad idea. I'm not quite exaggerating when I say I'm afraid I might toss him into traffic. He's not even two yet, and sometimes just noticing him staring at me is enough to make me grind my teeth, nevermind when he starts barking at nothing or pissing on the floor. I've already had him checked at the vet's, so i know it's not a medical issue.

I even said in my first post that I don't want to rehome him. But what if it's what's best for the dog in the long run. The longer I keep him, the harder it's going to be on everyone if an eventual rehoming is necessary. I'm trying to think of what's best for him, not just throwing him out because he's an inconvenience.

I've tried The Dog Whisperer, and he responded to some of the techniques with aggression. So I tried reward based training, and he responded the way i though he would; only listened when he knew there was a treat involved. I want to get Brad Pattison's book and try some of that, because it's the only thing I think might work. He's never had formal obedience classes, because he's aggressive with other dogs while he's on leash, but I can't let him off leash because he doesn't listen and won't come back. I don't even have the financial freedom to buy myself proper maternity clothes right now, so hiring a dog walker is definitely out of the question. My upstairs neighbour offered to walk him for me, but never actually followed through on it. Also, every time they walk by the back patio, if Nova is out there he goes absolutely nuts jumping and barking ad whatnot. I've been working to break him of greeting people that way since we got him, and yet every goddamn time, the guy upstairs comes over and rewards him for it, even though I've asked him not to pet him when he's jumping up like that. It's to the point where if I see them coming, I go outside and stand holding the dog back so that he can't jump up, and so that the guy can't pet him. I'm pretty sure they now hate me.

I know he doesn't do these things to annoy me. I know he's bored, and I know he needs more consistent training, and I'm really hoping that once my hormones have calmed I'll be patient enough to give him that training.