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Senior dog in a new home
I have clients who just moved into a new home. Their old doggie door was in the kitchen, now the door is in their bedroom and the senior dog who is almost blind is not using it. She is a 16 year old Bichon. She wears a diaper because she has a lot of accidents but she never had a #2 accident at the old house, she would always use the doggie door or wait for me to let her out during my afternoon visit. I know it’s going to take her time to get the “lay of the land” but is there anything I can suggest the client does to help her be more comfortable and acclimate? I’m sure she is stressed from the move and has been “holding it in”. She likes rotisserie chicken as a treat but if she’s not in the mood she could care less. Any suggestions are appreciated! She does have a younger “brother” at the house with her, he’s an energetic 7 year old Malti-Poo.
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10 Replies
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Aw what a sweet ol gal.
I’ll jump in with my first thoughts – I’m sure others will have different ideas too.
First, is the new door different or scary in any way? I’d work on some fun in/out games to make sure the dog can push it open. Some doors are “stickier” than others and this ol’ gal looks small/gentle. If she’s fine opening the door when she’s near it then I’d move on to the next thing:
Anytime a dog moves to a new home I think it’s helpful to limit their space until they form “outside” habits. In this case I’d consider an expen in the bedroom, allowing access to the dog door and a cushy bed, water and food bowls. The area can be expanded as the dog gets comfortable with finding the new outdoor access…. though that may be tricky with the other dog in the picture.
Meanwhile, back to basics with rewarding the dog for going potty outside and ensure deep cleaning mistake spots in the house.
I’ll let others add thoughts about the anxiety and I’ll jump back in later. 🙂
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Thank you so much for the suggestions @catherine . I will return to visit tomorrow and will check out the ease of opening the new door. As for limiting space, that makes so much sense! will suggest it but like you said it may be difficult with the other dog there.
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Hi @marla,
Catherine provided some great tips. I just wanted to add a few thoughts —Do you think it’d be helpful to have a change of substrate, like a little nonslip ‘runway’ leading to the dog door, so the wee Bichon had a tactile clue as to where she needed to walk?
Is there anything beyond the dog door, outside, that could be a little challenging for her to navigate?
Might it be helpful to incorporate the younger dog in the training sessions to promote dog-door use?Looking forward to hearing how things progress with her.
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@virginiad I love the idea of changing the substrate to give her a clue as to where to go. I’ll observe the new set up this weekend and talk to the client about all of these great suggestions ! Thank you!
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Can’t wait to hear how things go, @Pugmalion !
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What a sweet little lady! What a huge change. I empathize with older dogs who lose senses of vision and hearing.
I have had the pleasure of caring for 3 ancient long haired dachshunds for the past 4 years (they just keep getting more ancient!) The eldest, who passed on last year also was mostly blind and deaf. Things would spook him at times. Now, I see the middle girl going through the same issues as him, at 17 years old.
Her owner always wants me to take them out to potty in the front yard of a townhome…She used to want me to do it off-leash but I refused, saying safety first! Leashes, leashes…now that they are SOOO old, I find that leashes provide a sense of security more than ever. With fading senses, it has become connective tissue between Charcoal, Zsa Zsa and myself. I might humor the owner (who’s become a dear friend) by allowing a few moments off-leash because I know them and their abilities and movements so well and never stop watching, like a lifeguard. (She insists being off leash helps them poop) but they have pooped on leash with me, if they need to.
My point is not that you put these dogs on a leash to go out with the doggie door at all…I just wanted to share that sometimes using a leash as a gentle helping hand (loose unless they are going the wrong way) can be an incredible kindness to a blind dog. The girls I watch are often comforted while outside when I leash them. They know where their person is! Right at the other end! ????
Just wanted to share thoughts about blind/deaf dogs and how managing helps! Attaching a few pictures of Charcoal and Zsa on and off leash.
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OMD, those puffer coats, @bernerlabreclectus ! I love the point you mentioned about the leashes as offering a sense of security for the elders. Thanks for sharing.
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Ha ha…yes…they are good sports about all the layers their mommy makes me dress them in, too. I’ve got the skills of a professional dog dresser now!????
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Thank you for that insight on the leash being a sense of security @bernerlabreclectus Sometimes it can be something so simple that can bring some comfort and I have noticed thiis girl wandering around this big new house looking very lost. I will pas the information on to the owner and work to make her more comfortable. Great pics of the dachshunds! They are so cute in their puffers and very lucky to have you and your thoughtfulness.
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@Pugmalion I hope it helps! Please keep us posted and I hope she feels at home in her new surroundings soon.????
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