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My older basset is causing heart ache

2645 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Mikey T
Dear Basset friends, my 12-year old Ella (female) is peeing on the carpet. Started about a year ago and we think it's because she doesn't want to take the time or energy to go outside. We moved two times - would that be part of it? Also, she has started waking us up by barking from their bedroom starting about 4 am until we come and get her. We've tried disciplining by putting her back on her bed, not responding, etc. But, when we don't respond, she goes outside and starts barking. My husband is about to declare it's time to say good bye and i can't do it. Help!!!!
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It may be some form insecurity with your moves. Just a thought, have you tried having a radio playing at low volume, maybe a station playing classical music. If she hears voices she will think people are around and the music may soothe her
Have you taken her to a veterinarian? Older female dogs can develop incontinence. It's easily treatable with medication. It sounds from your post that you might have a dog door, is that correct? Is she on any arthritis medication? Once housetrained, the dogs I've had would never go in the house unless they just couldn't get outside. Perhaps she's arthritic. I would start with a visit to the vet if you haven't gone that route already.
I second the vet suggestion. She may also have some cognitive dysfunction, which is treatable with medication.
Dear Basset friends, my 12-year old Ella (female) is peeing on the carpet. Started about a year ago and we think it's because she doesn't want to take the time or energy to go outside. We moved two times - would that be part of it? Also, she has started waking us up by barking from their bedroom starting about 4 am until we come and get her. We've tried disciplining by putting her back on her bed, not responding, etc. But, when we don't respond, she goes outside and starts barking. My husband is about to declare it's time to say good bye and i can't do it. Help!!!!
If she can't make it outside to pee, try using the senior bladder supplements by Naturvet. They are pretty cheap (60 pills for $10 or so at petco). The vet medication for incontinence is expensive, so I would give the pills a shot first. They are completely natural and made a huge difference with our basset who couldn't (or wouldn't) make it outside.
Time to say goodbye? :eek: Surely not just because she is weeing now and again!!! :(

Do as Kirska said or go and see your vet as she may just have a problem that can be helped!
She may also have some cognitive dysfunction,
Especial given her age but there are generally other sign of which the barking may be one see CDS in dogs


IMHO given the location of peeing it is unlikely Spay Incontinence. Spay incontinence for the vast majority of female dogs occurs while sleeping so unless this occurs where she sleep it is not likely the cause.

Other medical condition like UTI kidney disease etc can all cetainly be contributing factors. It is best to rule out a medical cause.



We moved two times - would that be part of it?
yes but it is general not because of stress etc it is simply this Dog do not generalize well. Just because the know not to eliminate in one particular house does not mean they know not to do it in all houses. It is best to assume that if fact that is not the case. When moving assume the dog need to be rehouse trained until it proves otherwise.
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