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Originally Posted by Cooper2010  I've read all these responses and would like to thank everyone for their advice. I'd like to address a few points if I may. I've never just "put him out" on a lead, I always stay out with him. His poops are soft and formed, and when he doesn't poop, I crate him for 30 minutes and take him back out again. The leash, attaching him to a limited area, seems to be working well, we are almost through day 3 with no accidents inside. He's peed in the belly band twice. I wash it and dry it and put it back on him. He's not happy with these circumstances but this is the way it is.
Brit, I apologize for my earlier comment about your age, you didn't deserve it and I'm sorry.
LJ, I don't think my posts about my dog are depressing. He had a health issue that I nursed him through, and he has potty training issues. This one is certainly depressing, I was frustrated, at the end of my rope and desperate. From reading this forum, I knew what I had to get at Petsmart Monday when I stopped there. I knew he needed more freedom (longer lead), I knew he might do well with a bellyband and I bought 3 different types of treats and a treat bag.
I do take him on car rides, he gets more time in the car than he probably likes. I've said this before, so it shouldn't be such a shock, but we live in two homes. One every other week. He travels with me to my home in Ocala, where he has a fenced yard that he can just be off leash, to here, where he has this vast area, unfenced with all these smells. I underestimated an animals ability to adjust. My children's father and I are divorced. We rotate custody, they spend a week with me, a week with him. I travel back and forth on those weeks.
I DO NOT want to rehome him or give up on him. I made a commitment to the dog and I'll uphold it. If these circumstances are something that are unreasonable or can't be achieved then I guess I'll have to rethink my commitment. My children and spending time with them are first.
He is also spending all day out of his crate, yet with limited freedom. We ARE almost 3 days with no indoor accidents.
Thanks again for the encouragement. |
Thanks for the apology.
I may have replied harshly because I took offense to your comments but I understand the frustrations. I really do.
I also sort of live in two houses.... in a WAY. I have one stable home but I do sleep at my dads once or twice per week and have been doing this since Jackson was a puppy. It could get frustrating because I remember him being 100 percent perfectly potty trained in one house, but not the other, etc.
He still has a different personality sometimes when visiting my dads house (where there are 2 other dogs, big fenced in yard, and in general - more going on). He tends to be more hyper over there where in general, his personality is more 'active but not considered hyper' in all other places. So there's a definite truth to they feel what you feel and pick up on energy and vibes because my dads house is more chaotic in general and more freedom and more to do, so yeah he can have a different personality in a way over there, plus my dad spoils him and lets him get away with everything!
I'm glad to hear you want to work thru the issues and not rehome. And yes, your children should always be your #1 priority. How involved are your children in Cooper's life, if at all? I know, living with a 3 year old, that it can be difficult to divide the attention (I watch her often) so I try to do fun things they can BOTH do. The 3yr old LOVES to play chase with him... she will grab one of his favorite toys and he chases her through the house, or vice versa. They have a cute little 'hide and seek' type game they do. It's a great way to have both involved and drain both of their energy at the same time.