I love my dogs but I am so tired of the mess!
 

I know this board is full of dog lovers which is why I love it so. I cant imagine life without a dog...but somehow I find myself with 3 of them which is way too many. I had two and then inherited my sons Yorkie when he and his fiancee broke up. I never would have take a 3rd dog, but I fell in love...you know how that is.
However, this Yorkie is always sick with one thing or another, has cost me a fortune already and she is young. One or the other of them is having an accident, pee, poo, or vomit. I have a small house and they have ruined my carpet. I have explored the idea of hardwood but I cant afford to have them ruin them also. They are mostly trained, but do tend to have accidents if we dont take them out very often...and of course, yard is not fenced, so Im always walking them. To top if off, now the Yorkie and one of my original dogs fight constantly, day and night. We have to keep one of them locked in the kitchen at all times and have to walk them separately.
I am just venting my frustration as at this point I love them all and cant get rid of them. Maybe those of you with more than one can give me some advice on how you keep your house clean and how you organize and afford more than one. Thanks for listening.
laura

You sound tired and frustrated. Would a fence be possible? Even a chain link fence? They're inexpensive. Having a fence makes training easy and the accidents would disappear. I'm sure you love them all. Everyone has their days like this.:)

How about a small kennell, just to let them go potty in.

I have to agree with you...a fence would do wonders to heal your frustrations. I cant imagine having to walk my 3 dogs everytime they had to go to the bathroom..I probably let mine out every hour so they are next to no accidents in the house anymore...I do feel for ya though...maybe try to confine them to an x-pen with pee pads in it when you cant get them outside and they will learn to go on the pee pad too!!

Dawn

I have 3 adults also, and I know what you mean about being too many. We love them all dearly and rehoming one is out of the question. We do have a fence and it is wonderful. We open our back door and all three just run out to a safe area to give the house a break and all those that are in the house. Have patience..things do get better.

I have 4, and believe me I know how hard it can be when they are sick, or having potty problems, or chewing up stuffed animals leaving stuffing all over the house :).

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed that I took on so much responsibility in a year ( yes I'm nuts).

But they are the greatest joys in my life so I try to work with them as hard as I can on training and potty habits.

It will get better :)

Thanks everyone, I am tired. I know it would be better if I had a bigger house and fenced yard. Maybe I am looking at the wrong kind of fencing but what Ive looked at would cost several thousand dollars. We are a corner lot, so no back yard, just two large sides with the house in the middle, so we would have to fence a large area, plus since it would be right in front or our house, appearance is important so I cant get chain link...was looking at the vinyl since it wears so well, but no money right now. At this rate with all the money these dogs are costing me I will never have enough. Anyways thanks for listening. Those of you with more than one, do you keep them confined to a certain area of the house? I could keep them in the kitchen but part of me feels what's the use of having pets if you cant keep them with you. Sounds silly but it is very important to me to have a clean house. I grew up poor and my mom was not a great housekeeper, so it is an issue with me. I am always worried that my house smells because of these dogs too.
laura

I used to keep mine in 2 large Xpens in the dining room when I was having a lot of trouble with chewing and pottying in the house. It was a nice large area, with beds, toys, food, ect so they were perfectly happy in there when I was too busy to play.

I know that when we just put a fence up, we did it mostly ourselves so we saved quite a lot. Not sure if that is an option for you. It doesn't look the greatest because we hired a crooked carpenter at the end who did a "crooked" job on the rest of the fence, but it's functional and we paid I think around 2,000 for materials not including concrete.

Also, I know that the wooden fence panels at Home Depot and Lowes are cheaper then the Vinyl and still look really nice! Plus they are easier to put up because you don't have to drill the pannels into the posts... Just a thought :)

Or possibly could you get two big superyards or xpens and leave them outside as a fence that you can go out there with them and supervise, but then all can run around and potty at once?

Before my fence was up I used long tie outs, distanced from each other attached to their harnesses so they could all potty at once. I also did the Xpen thing I mentioned above.

To keep my house clean, I was their bedding daily. I vaccum my home daily and my couch weekly. I run air purifiers and get yankee candle plug ins to make the house smell nice. Also, any accidents and I use Natures Miracle pet cleaner. It's great to get the odor out of accident spots and you can also use it in the wash with their bedding.

It takes a little more creativity without a fence, but I think you can do it! Also... if the other solutions are too pricey you could look into making a temporary chicken wire fence for a smaller area.

I have 3 that are always at the vets and one who is sick and throws up a lot and one that never has gotten the potty training message, so I know how you feel. I worry too about the smell and am always shampooing my carpets and spraying air freshener. They have run of the house. What I did was put 2 ex pens together outside my sliding glass door to let them out. I would not want to walk 3 dogs daily.

Patti, I really like what you've done combining the xpens. I hadn't thought of keeping one side open to the back door! /slaps forehead

I Love,love love a clean house too and with more then one pet it can be a lot of work. I do keep my house spotless most of the time. We have 5 acres and so theres no way I can fence in my yard, Most of the time I walk out and stand and walk with my babys while they potty, but lately theres been a lot more stray kittys running around and my Mickey will chase after them. with my bad back It just gets to be too much some times. So this is what I did. Hubby and I set up a kennel next to my back porch, that way I can carry them out and put them in, They dont like it to well but will potty and be ready to come back out. lol I have even made my porch so ugly, I mean it looks really ugly. I put up kennel sides on the sides of my porch to keep my babys on the porch when I want to just sit out on the porch and relax. its ugly but safe. So I have learned to go with the ugly look for the safety of my baby's. They are with me 24/7 so theres no way I could sit on the porch with out them being with me. with out the sides they would take off after the kittys. people who see it say awww thats nice, sure it is. lol

Thanks again everyone...some good suggestions. I had given up on the fence idea as dh is very against us spending any more money on "those dogs." I see it as a quality of life issue, for me, especially since they are usually my responsibility though, and since I make the main income, I am going to push harder for the fence. I would love to be able to open the door and let them out to play. I enjoy walking them too and would not give that up. The cleaning is another issue, I work full time and cant spend all my time cleaning. I do vaccum everyday and shampoo my carpet weekly and also always have candles going or various air freshners... I have tried everything. It will help alot when i can get rid of the carpet.
Laura

Maybe one doesn't think that you are giving them enough attention.. do you put them in there crates? Do you ever take them with you? Do you bond with each one of them?

Where did you get that expen at? How tall is it? I wonder if AUbrey can jump over that?

I got them at Petsmart and they are 23 inches high. I have used it for 5 of my dogs and not one even tried to jump even when tempted by squirrels and bunnies. I never let them out there alone either. It really is nice and bigger than it looks. I can fit 5 -6 lawn chairs there when my family comes over. I clean it daily so there is no odor or anything.

Do you really wash their bedding daily???? :eek:

I love Yankee candles. I haven't tried the plug ins from them - I'll have to get one to try. The candles do a great job of covering smells. Someone came over the other day and I had a candle going to make it smell good. (I have 5 fluff butts) They came in and commented on how good the house smelled! :thumbup: I was happy.:)

I also switched to Complete Pet Stain and Odor Remover - I got it at Target. I use it on the carpet and bedding, etc.. It works well and leaves a nice smell.

Trust me, I know the "overwhelmed" feeling! On those days, I remind myself that it's normal to feel like that once in a while and try to go with the flow.. or give them all bully sticks and put them in their x-penned area so I can have a break! :rolleyes:

Maybe you can buy a tie out stake? They are CHEAP! They are a stake you can screw into the ground then you can attach lines to it with clips to clip onto the dogs harnesses. If you buy 2 or 3 of them you can keep the dogs seperated so they dont hurt each other and tie them up outside for a bit to do thier thing and give you a much needed break. I have 1 stake and 2 tie out lines, I think it was less than $20 and they give the dogs a radius of like 30 feet so they can just run around outside without getting out of the yard. My only recommendation with this is grab a book and sit out there and let them run for an hour, I wouldnt leave them unattended for even a minute in an unfenced in yard. But at least you can get a break from them and just relax or read a book for awhile while they burn off some energy!

I hear ya with 3 dogs. I have 2 boys and they are brothers, never seperated since birth, so they get along famously, sleep together, follow each other everywhere, look for each other when they dont immediately see the other one, they dont even like to be walked on seperate sides of me, they want to walk side by side touching each other. Part of me wants a little girl, but in reality I do not want 3 dogs, too hard on me, being single. My boys need sooooooo much attention and 3 heads to pet and 3 bellys to scratch and only 2 hands Im afraid someone will get left out inintentionally of course. OH and my 2 boys are STILL not housebroken either, my carpets are ruined! I can't take another on for the same thing! uugghhh :D

Have you thought about re-crate training your dogs? If accidents are common, maybe you need to start over with proper crate training.

Also, all dogs need exercise (more than just playing around in the house or running in the back yard). Walking is essential in order to burn energy. In their natural environment, dogs walk, and walk, and walk. I've seen dogs with all kinds of "issues" get better when they engage in a daily walk. If you are not able to do so, perhaps you could hire a trusted neighbor to do it for you?

Onsey
 

I HAVE POSTED A ONSEY ON HERE....AND THEY WORK...TO BE HONEST....YOUR CARPET IS PROBABLY ALREADY RUINED....YOU SHOULD GET SOME OF THE ONSEYS I MAKE AND TAKE THAT CARPRT OUT WHEN YOU CAN AFORD IT AND MESS FREE.....WELL AT LEAST THE PEEING PART....WHICH IS WHAT RUINS EVERYTHING.....I HAVE 8 YORKIES AND I BUILT MY HOUSE 2 YRS AGO.....WITH NO CARPET ON THE MAIN LEVEL....HARDWOOD AND TILE...THERE BLOCKED FROM ANY ACCESS TO NEW CARPET UPSTAIS....I HAVE TRIED ALL THE BITCH BRITCHES,BELLY BANDS,PEE PADS...YOU NAME IT AND I DESIGHNED A ONSEY FOR THOSE HARD TO BREAK YORKIES THAT IS A LIFE SAVER.....I AM GOING TO BE SELLING THEM FOR 19.99 INCLUDES SHIPPING.....THEY STAY ON.....PEE FREE HOUSE....I TAKE THEM OFF TO GO OUTSIDE AND BACK ON IN THE HOUSE,CAR,TRAVLING AND SO ON....I USE THE CHEAP WOMANS THICK PADS FROM WALMART...AROUND 5 DOLLARS A MONTH AND THATS ALL 8 OF MY YORKIES....AND INSERT THEM TO SIZE FOR THE FEMALES...AND DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE MALE I WILL SOME TIMES USE A WHOLE ONE....SINCE THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO LIFT THEIR LEG EVERY FIVE MINUTE....LOL....YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW BY MY HOME I HAVE 8 DOGS.....BUT BELIEVE ME BEFORE THIS HOME AND MY IDEA.....I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO STAY AT MY PREVIOS HOME....CHANGED HE CARPET,PUT HARDWOON IN AND IT GOT RUINED.....BUT I HAVE MASTERD A SOULUTION AND IT WORKS....FELL FREE TO EMAIL ME FOR PICS AND MORE INFO...AND BELIEVE ME I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL AND OTHER YORKIE OWNERS
HANG IN THERE....THERE IS HOPE
TRICIA

This is what I would suggest, xpens hooked together are not as costly as fencing and even a small area would help.
But the other consideration is it might be worth thinking about to rehome one of them. THe Yorkie, as it came to you last, might be the one to find a home. You don't have to be in a rush or anything just perhaps consider it and consider maybe someone you know that would like the dog.
Keeping more than one dog can be a challenge especially if they are different breeds and you are not really set up for it. The two that are fighting can escalate and one or both can get really hurt or even one can be killed. Very often, with breeders, if they have two that don't get along they have to keep them totally separate and have the facillities to do that but if they don't, one gets rehomed.
It is possible the health problems with the Yorkie is due to the food, It may need a different diet which can be difficult with multiple dogs. It could even be stress of being in the home with the other two dogs. I have seen Yorkies with problems do wonderfully well in a different home. A home that has past experience with Yorkies would be a plus.
I know it is a hard decision to make but sometimes it is in the best interest of all the dogs involved and you, the owner. The owner being stressed and 'at their wits end' doesn't provide a good scenario for any of the dogs.
I am a show breeder, I retire some of my dogs to good pet homes once they are spayed/neutered and I am not breeding them anymore. I keep in touch with the new owner, carefully chosen, I get updates, pictures and see how well they do and enjoy the life I could not give them.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

What is a onesy??

I put in hardwood floors, so I can atleat wet mop it up. I can't be much help, because my house is always a mess too.

onsey
 

it is pictured on this forum...a friend of mine posted the pics of the first one i made...page 2....read some info on it
tricia

Young Female Yorkie
 

I know you said you don't want to give her up, But if she is 3 1/2 lbs or under I would Gladly give her a loving furever home. I lost my 3.14 lb Baby girl "Bitzi Rose" to Kidney Failure 5 weeks ago. I rescued her 2 years ago. She had been abused by someone very badly. Probably a male as she was still afraid of them... She would have been dead in less than 5 days the vet told me when I rushed her there after I caught her. My heart seems unmendable right now... I am a depressed mess over her dying. I still cry several times a day over her, which i'm told is not normal... But, "Bitzi" was my constant companion almost 24/7 for 2 years. She was my heart. She was not just a dog she was part of me... I would come pick the baby girl up in person. Thank you... Sharon nuttytreeshaker45@yahoo.com

I, too, use the x-pens outside for Shelby & Seymour.
We had looked into fencing in our yard. We wanted a fence that looked well in the yard, but it really added up when we looked into it.... $2000.00!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
So we surrounded our patio and part of our yard with FIVE x-pens. It was MUCH cheaper...... Plus use 2 of them when we camp!!!..... An x-pen travels with us to visit friends, parents, kids, family...... can't do without them!! Hubby also likes the fact that he can just MOVE them and mow..... not have to mow around them and weed-eat! :D
Hope that you find a solution soon. Those little Yorkies just want to please you...... and finding a "happy medium" for all of you would be the best thing!!! I agree with the others...... a SECURE fence would probably really help.

Thanks again everyone. Oh, Sharon I am so sorry about your baby. I know what you mean about your attachment to her. I realize I could rehome one of the dogs and I so appreciate the offers, but I love them all and as long as I am able to take care of them, I will. Even though the Yorkie is the last to come to me, she had been in my house on and off since ds got her, so she is not new to the home or the other dogs. Also, I know its not nice to say I favor one of the dogs over the other, but the Yorkie has my heart...not sure why, but we have a very special bond so I could never give her up...plus ds still visits with her and it would break his heart if I gave her up. (He would keep her himself if he was able to)Nor could I give the other two up. I am stuck, like it or not. I know it would be so much better if I could fence the yard and replace the carpet so that is what I am focusing on.Thanks again for listening.
Laura

I do, but mostly because I have allergies and asthma, so I have to or else I get sneezy :)

The key to house training is to take them out loads, several times an hour to start with! This is because the first stage in training them to go outside is to simply make sure they are outside when they need to go. This way they get out of the habit of thinking that going indoors is an option. I think if you can't get a fence put up then your best bet would be a large x-pen. When they go outside say good boy/girl quietly and give them a tasty treat. It shoulden't take them too long to get the hang of it.

Just incase there is accidents we put panties on our girls with a maxi pad in the panties that way the panties are not soiled .. just the pad. Our boy wears a belly band with a maxi pad in it. I put that on them when they are in the living room. However, if I am not in the living room they stay in the kitchen with Pee pads .... Make a small fenced in area for the yard to take them potty. Something like this
http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store....pg&w=240&h=300

I just noticed this thread today and boy can I sympathize with you.
We have six dogs and and some days I feel as if I am losing a battle with the cleaning. I seem to be constantly vacuuming and washing floors and that's not to mention the rugs. We have recently pulled the carpeting out of the den and replaced it with linoleum ( one solid piece) and that has been a huge help, but on rainy days .... It's just impossible.
And if you wanted to add laundry to the mix, well now that we have 2 litters of puppies ... it just never ends. :eek:
I love them all and I am ever so grateful to have them, but some days I wish my fairy godmother would swoop in, wave her magic wand, and clean .... EVERYTHING. LOL

Hang in there. It really does get better and when you have this big doggie pile giving you kisses and love ... you just know it is all worth it.


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