Bre
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I need a lot of help, please. In about 10 days, I am going to be taking in a family member's cocker spaniel, GB; the current situation is terrible, but my house is still less than ideal. He is almost 8 and and has lived with my family member since he was 6 months old. But now that family member is married, with two children and another dog.
Due to all of these changes, he has taken to doing his business in the children's rooms, which causes lots of trouble, borderline abusive. Needless to say, he is my dog now, I'm picking him up on 10 days. But I live in a 3rd floor apartment and work out of town. I'm gone M-F from 7:30a-6p and simply can't afford a pet sitter or day care.
I've done a lot of research, I really want to set him up well, and for potty success, and have formulated a plan of sorts- I will be able to walk him for at least 30 minutes every morning and evening and there's a dog park 3 miles away for exercise at least a couple of times a week. And I plan to take him to the vet to make sure it's not a medical issue; although I'm pretty sure it's behavioral.
To work on the behavior, I hope to train him to use a potty mat on the outside patio to offer additional opportunities, especially during inclement weather or potty emergencies after he refuses to go during our walk (which is what's happening at his current place), and I hope he will use a potty mat in the bathroom since I'll be gone so long during the day and hate the thought of him having to hold it if he has to go, especially as he ages. My family member assured me he could go 10 1/2 hours but I can't fathom that to be the case. Plus, his poor bladder! He will be confined to the bathroom (decent sized) until I can trust that he knows how to use the potty pad and then he will have run of the house.
In the next couple months I plan to buy a camera/speaker/treat dispenser so I can interact with him during breaks and lunch. I know this is not ideal- I have read online that potty pads are lazy and abusive but it seems like our best shot. Please, all constructive thoughts and ideas are welcome! Thank you!
Due to all of these changes, he has taken to doing his business in the children's rooms, which causes lots of trouble, borderline abusive. Needless to say, he is my dog now, I'm picking him up on 10 days. But I live in a 3rd floor apartment and work out of town. I'm gone M-F from 7:30a-6p and simply can't afford a pet sitter or day care.
I've done a lot of research, I really want to set him up well, and for potty success, and have formulated a plan of sorts- I will be able to walk him for at least 30 minutes every morning and evening and there's a dog park 3 miles away for exercise at least a couple of times a week. And I plan to take him to the vet to make sure it's not a medical issue; although I'm pretty sure it's behavioral.
To work on the behavior, I hope to train him to use a potty mat on the outside patio to offer additional opportunities, especially during inclement weather or potty emergencies after he refuses to go during our walk (which is what's happening at his current place), and I hope he will use a potty mat in the bathroom since I'll be gone so long during the day and hate the thought of him having to hold it if he has to go, especially as he ages. My family member assured me he could go 10 1/2 hours but I can't fathom that to be the case. Plus, his poor bladder! He will be confined to the bathroom (decent sized) until I can trust that he knows how to use the potty pad and then he will have run of the house.
In the next couple months I plan to buy a camera/speaker/treat dispenser so I can interact with him during breaks and lunch. I know this is not ideal- I have read online that potty pads are lazy and abusive but it seems like our best shot. Please, all constructive thoughts and ideas are welcome! Thank you!
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