My Yorkie is 15. He is having accidents daily now several times, sometimes within minutes after coming in from outside. He's ruined my carpets and I'm not sure what to do. He sleeps all day and isn't as active as before. He seems to have arthritis, but the mess is driving me crazy. I have a three year old and it's getting where I'm scared to let her walk barefoot on our RUINED carpets. Help! I've heard that I need to put him to sleep soon, but I can't do it. Is this is a symptom of old age that I just have to deal with? Any suggestions? I'm a single mom and can't afford him to keep destroying our home.

It probably is his age that has made him senile and incontinent, though it is worth ruling out a urinary tract infection. He is probably getting forgetful and his bladder muscles are probably weakend, this happens to people to!

I would recomend getting a crate, and not allowing him unsupervised use of your home. The crate that they do in Argos is reasonably priced, and is 3 inches long by 20 inches wide by 24 inches high. You can place a small bed or bozx in one end, and put paper down in the rest. buy a clip on cup for water and food, and keep him in there when you cannot supervise him.

This is how I look after a feinds Yorkie who not senile is not very good with housetraining. I let her run around and go outside, but if I cannot watch her then I pop her in the crate, and often she will ask to go in it (as in myhouse her crate sits on top of my own dogs crate) and she is put there at night.

on the subject of crates i wish to get one for my boxer pup. but only intend to use it through the puppy stage as we are lucky because i work full time and the other half runs a restaurant so the pup will only be alone at night or for maybe 10mins if i get stuck in traffic only to protect him and the house. what size should i look for.
or would it be as effective to pop him in the kitchen and shut the door.

Hi Emma,

You could use the kitchen and just close the door, but pups are a bit prone to get into trouble. Depending on how long you want to use it for, will depend on how big you get.

I would suggest a trip to your local petshop with your pup and try a few out for size, remembering to allow for growth!!

manda
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You will need the next size up from the crate they sell in Argos. Inb other words one that is 27 inches tall, by 24 wide and 36 long. This 9s the size I use for my Elkhounds. The next size up is the size my freinds with Dobes use (3oinch high by 42 x 28). The Argos crate is fine for Spaniles, small Colies etc, as it is only 24 inches tall (21 inches wide x 31 inches long). I would always advise to spend the little extra and get the one with two doors (one in short end and one in long end) as depending where you need to use it, the flexibility of door position will be a Godsend.

Thanks for the input! I was thinking about the crate idea this morning. I just hate to hurt his quality of life. He's been such a wonderful dog all these years, but this is getting so bad here. I've actually got a crate like you're talking about. It's one I bought for an airplane trip we did a few years back. Thanks a bunch! :)

I seen in a pet store that u can get diapers for dogs that have problems holding it.

ttfn :)

I wouldn't think it will affect his quality of life that much, as you say he sleeps more now, so if you take him into the garden for half an hour when it is nice, and let him out for a cuddle and a play at intervals when he can be watched he will be fine. Also with such an elderly dog, and a small child it will be safer for him, as he is more and more llikely to get underfoot and be hurt.

Has he seen the vet at all as I think it maybe wise to see if anything can be done.

If though it does come to it to have him PTS if nothing can alleviate or help the problem then you will have to be brave as it is the dogs welfare you must think about and also his dignity. It is one of the most difficulkt things you may have to do and you will feel very bad in having to do this but it is for the best. I hope though you can find a suitable solution to this and wish you all the best.

Lucy

Thanks for all your help and input. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for all your help and input. I really appreciate it.

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your dog, had to have two Yorkies PTS within the last 12 months, one was 14 the other was 16, had them both from puppies.
One because of a stroke, the other was just too old and couldn't cope anymore, it was heartbreaking to see him struggle, he could barely see or hear, and it was one of the most hardest decisions we had to take, and we all still miss them both terribly, although we have a new pup we will never forget them both.
Thinking of you.

I'm so sorry about your two dogs. That's very sad. :( Mine is now completely deaf and like yours, I don't think he sees very well. He never cries or makes a sound. I don't know if he is in pain. It's terrible. :(

You know your own dog so know if his quality of life is still there or not.
What does your vet have to say about his various conditions?
Definitely have an urine sample checked in case anything can be done to help.
I have a 15 year dog who has a bladder problem as well, on medication from the vet to try to improve things if possible.
Am treating him a bit like a puppy, as soon as he gets out of his armchair, has a drink, has something to eat, he is sent out into the garden to have a pee.
Even wake him up to go out into the garden, if he been asleep a while.
Most times he makes it out to the garden, sometimes he doesn't, especially if he is at the top of the house so have got used to using plastic containers to catch the pee when he starts going on the stairs.
Hope some of the above helps - at least you aren't the only one going through this.
Steph