Hello All!
I am hoping some other bully owners might be able to offer some advice. I have a 12 year old male English Bulldog named Duke. He is in general good health, although in the past year or so his older age has been starting to show in that his back legs are weaker and his hearing and eyesight are not what they used to be. He eats well and still enjoys a very good quality of life as far as I can tell.
My question is this: In the past 3 months or so, Duke has begun having MANY accidents in the house. He is taken on walks throughout the day and let out numerous times, and is never left alone for too long without a walk. However, his new habit seems to be to urinate all over the house any time he is left alone, even for a little while. He has also begun waking us up approximately three times a night to go outside. I always get up with him no matter what time it is, and when he goes out, he only pees a little sprinkle, then comes back in. This then repeats a couple of hours later! If I don't get up with him right away, he will do his business in the house. We have had to begin to throw away rugs and a piece of furniture, and are not getting the best quality of sleep due to these new habits.
I have never had issues like this with Duke, and he hasn't had to use a crate since he was a puppy. I hate to put him in a crate now at his age, but it is looking like I might have to. Does this sound like an older dog who is just becoming incontinent? Or a possible health issue? I almost had a feeling it could be related to anxiety, due to the fact that he would urinate in the house if we went out even for an hour. His hearing and eyesight are not as sharp as they once were, and I was wondering if this could be causing him anxiety which could lead to all of the accidents. Just a hunch, but wondering if anyone has dealt with similar. We will be seeing the vet in a couple of weeks so I will bring it up with her as well.
Also, has anyone tried doggy diapers or the absorbent belly wrap with their bulldogs? Trying to think of alternatives to putting him in a crate, but worried about irritating his skin, too.
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Amy
I am hoping some other bully owners might be able to offer some advice. I have a 12 year old male English Bulldog named Duke. He is in general good health, although in the past year or so his older age has been starting to show in that his back legs are weaker and his hearing and eyesight are not what they used to be. He eats well and still enjoys a very good quality of life as far as I can tell.
My question is this: In the past 3 months or so, Duke has begun having MANY accidents in the house. He is taken on walks throughout the day and let out numerous times, and is never left alone for too long without a walk. However, his new habit seems to be to urinate all over the house any time he is left alone, even for a little while. He has also begun waking us up approximately three times a night to go outside. I always get up with him no matter what time it is, and when he goes out, he only pees a little sprinkle, then comes back in. This then repeats a couple of hours later! If I don't get up with him right away, he will do his business in the house. We have had to begin to throw away rugs and a piece of furniture, and are not getting the best quality of sleep due to these new habits.
I have never had issues like this with Duke, and he hasn't had to use a crate since he was a puppy. I hate to put him in a crate now at his age, but it is looking like I might have to. Does this sound like an older dog who is just becoming incontinent? Or a possible health issue? I almost had a feeling it could be related to anxiety, due to the fact that he would urinate in the house if we went out even for an hour. His hearing and eyesight are not as sharp as they once were, and I was wondering if this could be causing him anxiety which could lead to all of the accidents. Just a hunch, but wondering if anyone has dealt with similar. We will be seeing the vet in a couple of weeks so I will bring it up with her as well.
Also, has anyone tried doggy diapers or the absorbent belly wrap with their bulldogs? Trying to think of alternatives to putting him in a crate, but worried about irritating his skin, too.
Any advice would be gratefully received!
Amy