Need some encouragement and belly band?

[Cooper2010]

I just ordered two more from your link above.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Cooper2010

Yes, I've been walking him, even it's just around the house over and over. I just fed him a scrambled egg with his food, he picked out the egg, left the food. He just had a bath also and he's off leash for a little while, he's enjoying his freedom for a while.

Walking your dog is probably the easiest and most effective way to establish a bond with him! It reinforces being a member of the group or 'pack'.

Originally Posted by Beamers Mom

I got Beamer's belly band from T Bumpkins & Co (Cathy is a member here). Her belly bands come with washable pads that velcro inside the band. You don't have to wash the whole belly band every time.

Washable Belly Bands by T. Bumpkins & Co. and Doggie Pee Pads

You can also use women's Panty Liners in the Belly Band you have, or in a pinch I've even used human baby diapers put on sideways (size 2 for an 8-10 pound dog).

[Britster]

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.

[Beamers Mom]

Originally Posted by Cooper2010

I just ordered two more from your link above.

Great - make sure you don't put them on too tight, and change those pads frequently.
Remember though, belly bands are not a long term solution.
We used Beamer's until he stopped "marking" his territory in the house, and basically the only time we use it now is when he goes to the vets.

[yorkieusa]

I'm so happy for you! I told you that you could do it. 3 days is very good. Good luck!

[Cooper2010]

Originally Posted by Britster

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.

The kids are not that involved with him. They play with him some, but I'm ultimately the one that entertains him and cleans up after him, much the same as them. The 19 year old is in college and has a Maltese with it's own potty issues (she lives with her dad most of the time, although I do dogsit for her), the 15 year old is a sophomore and has a boyfriend, the 13 year old just wants to play outside. He would be perfect for Cooper if he would just come back!

[Cooper2010]

Oh, and just a little while ago he was whining so I took him out and he pooped!!! I won't get too excited about that, but it was at least a sign that he needed to go out.

[normarae63]

Hiya Gina (just seeing this sorry!)

I know Cooper appreciates you; I mean, a lot of people may have given up on him when they found he needed an expensive surgery, but you didn't.


I'm happy to see that everyone has given you some really great advice & that it's working too.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by Cooper2010

Oh, and just a little while ago he was whining so I took him out and he pooped!!! I won't get too excited about that, but it was at least a sign that he needed to go out.

Go ahead and get excited! That's a great sign.

[Roccosmommy]

I'm just reading this thread for the first time, and I honestly think you were just reaching out for help, and to confirm your commitment to Cooper. You've already gotten great advice on here about the potty training, so I just want to wish you good luck. It does seem like you have your plate full, but here's another way to think of the Cooper situation: Once you do make it through this with him, and hopefully bond with him, he will actually make your life easier. He'll take away some of your stress and troubles. How? By being your companion, your little listener, cuddling when you don't feel well and puppy kisses after a long day. I wish you both the best - hang in there, for Cooper's sake.

[Rachael x]

Potty training is a stressful time, Im going through it myself at the moment.
But things will get better, good luck it will all be worth it in the end.

[143julz]

Just reading this......How is Cooper doing???

I came across thread searching for BELLY BANDS and how they work with potty training?? Dex is 6.5mo, not neutered yet, stays in a crate 4-5 hr a day M-F....He sleeps in bed w/ us and can go 8-9hr without going potty, but for some reason cannot during the day. I do no leave food in his crate, only water.

Lately, his trick is running circles inside to go out I think he learned from his older bro Dud, by doing so he goes outside, dud is potty trained

Dex will go out, chase gecko's and come inside to potty WHAT GIVES??? There is a lot of good advise posted, i'm going to reread and strart over....wish DEX luck

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by 143julz

Just reading this......How is Cooper doing???

I came across thread searching for BELLY BANDS and how they work with potty training?? Dex is 6.5mo, not neutered yet, stays in a crate 4-5 hr a day M-F....He sleeps in bed w/ us and can go 8-9hr without going potty, but for some reason cannot during the day. I do no leave food in his crate, only water.

Lately, his trick is running circles inside to go out I think he learned from his older bro Dud, by doing so he goes outside, dud is potty trained

Dex will go out, chase gecko's and come inside to potty WHAT GIVES??? There is a lot of good advise posted, i'm going to reread and strart over....wish DEX luck

Put him on a leash and don't let him chase the geckos. He's having too much fun and is forgetting what he went outside to do. Even after he potty's bring him right back inside or he will forget what he went outside to do~~~chase geckos

BTW~love T. Bumpkins belly bands!

[concretegurl]

What are you feeding him?
Maybe a food like Innova with a brown rice base and scheduled feedings will really aid you.
Have you leashed him to you to stop house pottying?
I had to leash my marker to me to catch him every time-in our house we only used belly bands for later when wen out places to prevent marking in those places-retirement home, pet boutique, friend's houses etc.

Mine was a barely (estimated) 5 months old, pup mill rescue who would pee or poop literally next to his bed and lay there with it-it took about a 6 months of constant work to aid in him using a potty pad (litter box at first) to get him to potty in the bathroom, then about another 6 months to teach him to potty outside...a lot of effort, training, positive reinforcement, making a potty spot outside, and a lot of cleaning...

[Cooper2010]

Originally Posted by 143julz

Just reading this......How is Cooper doing???

I came across thread searching for BELLY BANDS and how they work with potty training?? Dex is 6.5mo, not neutered yet, stays in a crate 4-5 hr a day M-F....He sleeps in bed w/ us and can go 8-9hr without going potty, but for some reason cannot during the day. I do no leave food in his crate, only water.

Lately, his trick is running circles inside to go out I think he learned from his older bro Dud, by doing so he goes outside, dud is potty trained

Dex will go out, chase gecko's and come inside to potty WHAT GIVES??? There is a lot of good advise posted, i'm going to reread and strart over....wish DEX luck

Cooper is doing well, thanks!

Of course he still has accidents but he's doing well. I've learned a little better to read the signs, he has started going back and forth to the back door when he wants to go out.