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Rescue Basset ~ Some issues arising

2563 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Mikey T, 
M
Hi Everyone! I'm new to the boards so bare with me. :)
We recently adopted a Basset from a local shelter. (it's been a week)
I'll give you some background: She came from a family who had her for a year and then they surrendered her. (there's some mystery as to her age; she's between 3 and 5)... From what I understand, the previous owner said that she was housetrained. No accidents etc. (But I also know that they had her crated because she immediately responded to "crate"). Well, we had problems with her going to the "bathroom" in the house. So, after a few days of frustration and finding it everywhere when we came home, we decided that we would crate train her. It appeared, after a day or two, that she'd been crate trained previously. I was pretty happy with this and figured we'd get her housetrained like our dog we've already had for 3 years. Well yesterday I went in to take her blanket out of the crate and it was damp with urine. Pretty much a few days' or so worth. I had no idea. Poor thing. So now I'm wondering why she would pee in her crate. My husband says that it may be a bigger problem with training her than we think, since dogs rarely "go" where they sleep. Any tips on that would be greatly appreciated. We started giving her plenty of water with her morning meal and with her dinner but no in between so that we can get her on a routine. Everyone says "where there's water, there's pee".. Makes sense, I guess.
Also, I realize we've only had her a week but she doesn't sleep through the night at all. We keep her in our bedroom with us and she sleeps on a big comfy dog bed. Every night, however, she gets up around 2 or 4 a.m. and walks around the bed to the door. Sometimes she cries, other time she just seems to be wandering. I have let her out a couple times but there have been times she doesn't pee or poop. So I don't know if she still feels disoriented at our home or what. It's been really hectic with waking up at all hours. I would like her to get on "our" schedule. We don't get up in the middle of the night to take our 'old' dog out; she sleeps through the night. (sounds like I'm talking about a baby). :) I know most of you are seasoned Basset owners, so I'm open to ANY suggestions, advice you have on this. It's definitely appreciated. Thanks so much!
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jmwolff
We just got our two new bassets (both were ~1.5 yo). It took a few weeks for them to settle in and let their real personlities come out and for their anxiety to go away. They got up in the middle of the night too for about the same amount of time too. Same thing with housebreaking...still have accidents if we aren't careful...but much less then before.
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SophieB
As you have only had your Basset for a week, I don't think she's had enough time to feel settled enough to realise that she's staying with you permanently and she's probably feeling some sort of anxiety.

You say you give her 'plenty of water' with her breakfast and evening meal... so can I ask if you feed her dry 'complete' food, because I'm sure I have read somewhere that we're not supposed to give them water 'with' their meals as it dilutes gastric juices needed to digest their food and could contribute to bloat, but to leave a bowl on the floor for them to help themselves during the day.

Are you leaving her in the crate all the time? It surprises me that she should wet her bedding -- especially several times, judging by what you said -- and that you didn't smell it on her bedding, or on herself!

Personally I think you need to allow her more time to settle and for her to realise she is staying for good.
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Kirska
It will take a few weeks before she gets settled into your routine. Keep in mind she has been in a shelter and between that and your new home, she is very confused and stressed. She's basically just lost her family.

There were some times in the first 3-4 weeks that we had Anabelle where our patience was tested to the limit. Our mutt, Harley, didn't eat for a week straight when we adopted him. But don't worry, once she settles in she will bring endless joy to your lives.

If you feel like you're having issues with communication and all that, I'd recommend finding a small adult obedience class. Our trainer helped us tremendously with fixing problems and establishing pack order.
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W
I've also read that when doing the initial crate training process, you shouldn't put a blanket, teeshirt, etc. in the crate with the dog. Once you're certain she's well trained, then you can add the blanket in there.

Also, how big is the crate? If it's too big, the pup can use the bathroom in the back/side of the crate and sleep in the other area. They suggest using a small crate, just big enough for the pup to turn around and lay down inside. Or barricading a portion of the larger crate off until she gets older.
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LuciaB
Cannoli sleeps with my daughter and generally sleeps through the night, but occasionally she'll feel the need to explore. My daughter was gone this weekend and Cannoli slept with us, middle of the night I woke up to her nosing around in some boxes in the corner of my room. We've moved recently and my craft area is still in boxes. I called her and she jumped back on the bed where she proceeded to take up the whole bed, steal the blankets and snore. I think she also stole my boyfriend who maintains that she is the best person in the house to snuggle with!
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Mikey T
When it comes to house training most dog learn not to pee/deficate in a particular house. Dog are poor generalizers so they learn not to pee. defficate in that house only not all houses in general. It is not a good idea to assume a dog is housetrained in any other situation because it is likely it is not. IT take repetition in a number of different setting ie houses before the behavior will ever be generalized to all similiar situations. There is the rare dog that generalizes housetraining but this is more the exception than the rule.

You need to be sure the dog is not expected to hold it to long. in intial housetraining with an older dog I would not exceed four hours until they have demonstrated they can hold it longer under a variety of circumstances.


Another possibility not mention while not common is not rare either. If the accidents are for the vast majority of the time occuring were the dog sleeps or rests it may be a condition known as spay incontinence. It is easily treated with hormone replacement or a PPA trade name "Proin"
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M
I appreciate everyone's feedback so much. Thank you for taking the time to offer your wisdom. As for the food, I hadn't realized that I should'nt be giving her water and food at the same time. I never give her bone-dry food. I usually put water in it, let it sit for a minute or two and then feed it to her after I've drained it. I had a friend who'd told me that you should do that so that the food is fairly moist. She's only in the crate when we leave the house etc.. and in the past few days, we've come home to a dry crate! Awesome. I had no way of knowing she had been peeing in there, until I picked up the blanket I'd put in there. She never smelled like it etc.. The night time thing hasn't really changed much... we're still up several hours at night. If I had my way, I'd leave the bedroom door open and just let her walk around the house or do whatever it is she feels she needs to do at that time. I guess we're just afraid that she'll go to the bathroom somewhere. I do agree that it's the result of anxiety. But I feel like I'm in a Sleep Deprivation study! lol
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Mikey T
Thank you for taking the time to offer your wisdom. As for the food, I hadn't realized that I should'nt be giving her water and food at the same time. I never give her bone-dry food. I usually put water in it, let it sit for a minute or two and then feed it to her after I've drained it. I had a friend who'd told me that you should do that so that the food is fairly moist
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In bloat studies there is no increase or decrease in bloat if dry food is moisten. However there is an increase risk of bloat if dry food with Vitamin c is moistened. Feeding water seperately with meal and the amount of water consumed is not associated with bloat. Dry food vs moist food is not associated with bloat, Larger meals are associated with bloat but not the number of meals,. An increase speed in eating is associated with bloat as is raised food bowls. Much of what is believed to increase or decrease bloat is either just plain wrong or simply a myth with no real basis in fact. You will often find advice given not to exercise before or after a meal to prevent bloat even though studies have show no relationship to time of exercise in relation to meals as a cause of bloat.
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