Richard Evans wrote:
FurPaw wrote:

I know it's a huge inconvenience, but I don't think it's likely that your
dog just suddenly decided that he's not going out because it's not
convenient - it's not stubbornness or belligerence. Continue to look for a
cause in the meds, pain, or some other illness not yet diagnosed.


That's what I was doing by posting here.

Well, it's unlikely that you'll get a diagnosis here. If your current vet
isn't helping, then I'd suggest that you consult another one.

FurPaw

--
We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.
-Eric Hoffer

To reply, unleash the dog.

Richard Evans wrote:
Tara Green wrote:


You didn't read my post.

Yes, I read it perfectly well.

I said it sounds like he was confused.

Yes, I read that.

I *also* said that some folks do use garments
for dogs who *do* develop incontinence.

Yes, and I replied as to why, if it were incontinence, any form of
diaper would not be a solution.

(shaking head)

I was only bringing it up because if this is
age-related confusion, then this might be
something to look at *in the future*.

Sheesh. For someone asking for help, you
don't make people actually *want* to help you
much.

Its not that hard. You don't use *actual*
"depends", its just a way of describing it.

I don't care how you describe it, he won't tolerate having his
hindquarters messed with.

At all?

That sounds odd to me. Very odd.

FurPaw wrote:
Richard Evans wrote:
FurPaw wrote:

I know it's a huge inconvenience, but I don't think it's likely that
your dog just suddenly decided that he's not going out because it's
not convenient - it's not stubbornness or belligerence. Continue to
look for a cause in the meds, pain, or some other illness not yet
diagnosed.


That's what I was doing by posting here.

Well, it's unlikely that you'll get a diagnosis here. If your current
vet isn't helping, then I'd suggest that you consult another one.



Exactly. I mentioned age-related confusion
and possible senility (to the OP, you're
welcome, by the way. Pfft), you mentioned
possible medication related issues, and Sally
(who has extensive experience with this sort
of thing) has mentioned some potential
management approaches, as have we all.

But apparently none of this warrants anything
except dismissal.

If he was expecting a diagnosis, he was
misplaced. IN another post, he apparently
acknowledged (barely) that he got some ideas
here....all the while dismissing those very
people that GAVE him those ideas.

I'm done. He should really go get a second
vet's opinion.

Tara Green wrote:

Exactly. I mentioned age-related confusion and possible senility (to the
OP, you're welcome, by the way. Pfft), you mentioned possible medication
related issues, and Sally (who has extensive experience with this sort
of thing) has mentioned some potential management approaches, as have we
all.

But apparently none of this warrants anything except dismissal.

If he was expecting a diagnosis, he was misplaced. IN another post, he
apparently acknowledged (barely) that he got some ideas here....all the
while dismissing those very people that GAVE him those ideas.

Yes - he was busily playing the Yes-But game. Well, it's hard for
some people to admit they need help. Or maybe he was just
looking for someone to tell him it was hopeless, to give him
permission to put the dog down???

I'm done. He should really go get a second vet's opinion.

At least he'd have to pay in order to tell someone that their
advice wasn't what he was looking for. :-|

FurPaw

--
We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.
-Eric Hoffer

To reply, unleash the dog.

In article ,
Richard Evans wrote:

Now he goes out 6-8 times
per day and only messes in the house 1-2 times per week. It's a fair
assumption that no matter how often he goes outside, he's still going
to occasionally go in the house.

So confine him and supervise him instead of letting him do that. If an
area is not easily accessible to humans, it must be able to be blocked.

The very young and the very old need our help - give it to him.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

On Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:52:57 -0700, FurPaw
wrote:

I know it's a huge inconvenience, but I don't think it's likely that your
dog just suddenly decided that he's not going out because it's not
convenient - it's not stubbornness or belligerence. Continue to look for a
cause in the meds, pain, or some other illness not yet diagnosed.

You are lucky he is still in your life. Make his remaining time
comfortable.

Bailey the Pit

On Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:48:07 -0500, Janet Boss
wrote:

The very young and the very old need our help - give it to him.

Great post

Bailey the Pit

"Richard Evans" wrote in message
...
I have a 16-year-old neutered Chow mix who has suddenly abandoned his
housebreaking. He's not incontinent because he travels to specific
spots to let fly. The other night, we were having dinner, right next
to the door into the yard. He walked past the door and past us into
the corner and pissed in the corner. No attempt whatsoever to ask to
go out. Now he's crapping as well as pissing.

He has bad arthritis and the stairs into the yard are a problem, so I
thought he was just avoiding having to deal with the stairs, but we've
been putting him out the front door, where there are no stairs, and we
are still finding messes.

He's always been an indoor dog and I hate to banish him outside,
especially with cold weather coming on, but I can't keep cleaning up
after him either.

Suggestions?
==========
Wow, I can't believe your Chow has lived 16 years; that is great. My Chow
lived a long life also, but lived to be 13. At the end of his life he also
lost control, which he had never ever done before. He was extremely neat
and clean only going in one spot in the back yard all his life. I am
thinking, as are some of the other people here, that the medicine could be
affecting him. It could also be affecting his state of mind, since he is so
elderly. Call the vet and ask if you could try something else. It might
also have something to do with his hips; he must be in a lot of pain, and
there is might be a lot of pain involved in that area when he goes or when
he has to go down stairs to go. We used to wrap a towel around our Chow's
groin and gently lift it up when he had to walk, and he would walk on his
front feet. We also built a ramp for him, so he wouldn't have to jump into
the car. That was very near to the end of his life.
I feel bad for your dog. Chows are such proud dogs.