The Poultry Keeper

aliceb · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:25 pm Post subject: Problems with my dog

Knowing the wide range of interests etc on here, I thought that there might be someone who can help me with my dog.
First a bit of background; he's a 6 year old neutered border terrier cross. He's never been the most hygeinic of animals, but that always kind of added to his charm and it was to be expected from a little terrier.
Just lately though it's getting stupid, he's started messing right outside the back door, in the outside loo if he can get in and in the back entry. The thing that really annoys me though is that he knows that he shouldn't do it. When I come home from work, he wont come out of his kennel if he's messed where he shouldn't.
I've moved his kennel right down to the other end of the garden so that it's not the easy option when getting up in the morning!
I've not long had him clipped so i know that it's not a problem with his anal glands.
Every time he does it i wash the area done with bio washing powder
I feed him down the garden as well.
I've tried shouting at him and ignoring him but i don't know what else to try.
Any ideas, because I'm going to start losing my temper about it as it's driving me mad!!

NannyP · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:52 pm Post subject:

I have no idea Alice, and I know that Lisa will, she's good with animal behaviour.

I have only one question, has he anyone or anything to be jealous of recently? That would be my only thought and is probably completely barking up the wrong tree Confused

Hope Lisa comes along soon and can help.

aliceb · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:59 pm Post subject:

As far as i'm aware he's got nothing to be jealous of and he's got plenty of company, human and canine. We move house at the beginning of june but this has only really started in the last 4-6 weeks so i can't even put it down to him being unsettled.

Bhindi · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:16 pm Post subject:

I think you will find he will stop if you put his dinner in there, and also before you do that as unpleasant as it is if you pick up his last 'effort' and place it where you would prefer him to go, you might find he gets the message. No promises though!

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

He is trying to mark his territory as near to yours as possible. if he lived in the house he most likely wouldn't do it.

My thought, like Bhindi, was to feed him in the area that he is messing - and move his house as near to the area as you can. He will feel that he belongs and won't have to mark that area.
I know when my dog is feeling insecure - he will "mess' as close to 'our' area as possible or else on the path to the chicken house (jealousy!)

Good luck

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

All the suggestions are wonderful...as I would have said them also...but, I would like to add one. Sometimes animals will 'mess' in the 'human' area because they are trying to tell us something. When was the last time you had his stool checked at the vets? Maybe he is trying to get your attention...he has it, but you might not be seeing what he wants you to see.

Just another thought is all. Confused

Lisa · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 8:08 am Post subject:

Hi Alice

A few questions first:

It sounds like he is an outside dog - is that right?

Generally what is the garden like? eg are we talking farm / large garden / small housing estate garden... that kinda thing.

Does he come in the house during the day at all?

Are there other animals about a) in the family b) that could come into the garden eg cats or foxes?

When and where and how often is he fed?

Where does he sleep?

Have you tried to train him to go to the toilet in a "good" spot in the garden? If so, what did you do and how did he respond?

Cheers,
Lisa

aliceb · Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:37 am Post subject:

Right,
Yes he is an outside dog when we are not at home, but is allowed in when we are there.

The garden is a reasonable size average back garden and he has the complete run of it

a) we also have a black labrador he's 4 years old and entire, but not interested in what THAT'S for and still is on the bottom rung, doesn't even cock his leg yet! we have a small spayed female cat and, of course, the chickens. The chickens are in a completely different part of the garden though.

b) have never seen another cat in the garden or a fox but that's not to say it doesn't happen.

Both dogs sleep outside in the kennel except in really bad weather when they stay on their bed in the hallway.

Have tried praising him for doing business in the right spot for number ones and he loves that, he wags his tail so hard he can hardly walk. As for number twos though, he doesn't like you to watch him and will wait till you've gone. Have told him what a good boy he is though if he hasn't done it in the wrong place.

Hope this helps, thanks all Very Happy