Puppy Blues !

[KSH]

Get her to a vet. You might have a kidney or bladder problem. Dogs do not normally pee on themselves.

Well, I would think that she has an issue that the vet can solve... IF she were peeing in her cage when I leave her in it during the day. But she doesn't. It's very clear that she can hold it, when she chooses to.

Honestly, I don't think she understands the diaper and that she is NOT peeing on the floor. Seriously.

When I get some money I will try the vet (it costs about $150 everytime I go!), but I honestly think she is choosing to pee on the carpet when she wakes up in the AM. She can hold it just fine when I'm around or when she is in a cage. It's only when she is out of the cage and alone that she does this.

This was easily fixed with medication. There are a couple of options available, some involve a pill 2x a day, depending on the severity of the condition and the dog's response, or sometimes they can go on another type of med, involving 1 pill every 6 days or so, again, depending on the dogs response.

Pills? Wow. That sounds expensive. Is it?

I can see it now... $150 for the vet visit and $60 in pills each month. I hate to whine, but I'm not rich... and I already pay $40 every 2-3 months for eye drops.

It just keeps adding up.

Well, the diaper will have to be the problem solver until after December. I simply can't afford the vet right now.

[Squeaky]

Since you're not going to keep her, at the very least, be sure to put the effort into finding her a good home. Maybe you could start looking now. I don't have a lot of money, and both of my cats are on medication, but they are my children and I chose to be a pet owner. Sorry if I sound judgemental, but we have a responsibility to our pets, and if we aren't going to be committed to them, we have no right to adopt them. If she's holding it for 12hours while she's in a cage, then she needs some retraining. It could also be behavioral since she's alone so much and maybe your vet could recommend something. Maybe you'll have to get up at 3:00 am for a while to let her out, and then let her out again when you get up, and then before you go to work.

[KSH]

Since you're not going to keep her, at the very least, be sure to put the effort into finding her a good home. Maybe you could start looking now. I don't have a lot of money, and both of my cats are on medication, but they are my children and I chose to be a pet owner. Sorry if I sound judgemental, but we have a responsibility to our pets, and if we aren't going to be committed to them, we have no right to adopt them. If she's holding it for 12hours while she's in a cage, then she needs some retraining. It could also be behavioral since she's alone so much and maybe your vet could recommend something. Maybe you'll have to get up at 3:00 am for a while to let her out, and then let her out again when you get up, and then before you go to work.

Well, trust me... I was having this conversation with my best gal-pal last night.

I refuse to give her to anything but a GREAT home. End of story. Honestly, I think my expectations are so high, I will never find anyone. Basically the person needs to be at home most of the time (retired), no kids around ever (the dog is 2-lbs, a kid could kill her by accident), and no other pets.

I also struggle with the idea that I bought her, and I need to keep her... no matter what the behavioral issues are.

I tried a few different routes to try to break her of this habit. I did the "wake up in the middle of the night" route for about 1-2 weeks. Honestly, I was exhausted come the weekend, I even passed riding with my cycling group.

And, it's a dog. I shouldn't have to wake up in the middle of the night... it's a dog, not a baby.

I have tried picking up her water... putting her in the cage (which I refuse to do)... sleeping on the sofa in the living room with her (didn't make a difference)... leaving my bedroom door open (then she just pees in my room)...etc.

Yes, I thought the problem was due to lack of attention... so for a week, I came home and promptly played with her...for 2-3 hours STRAIGHT... that made no difference. And... honestly, I have to do stuff when I get home, I can't play with a dog for 2-3 hours straight.

I got this dog when I was married and my life was different. Then my husband left me... and here I am a single parent.

I think now the question comes in... do I look for a really good home for her and let her have a better life... or do I just keep her because I bought her? What is the "right thing to do"?

[HappyAnika]

KSH, D'oh, I'm so sorry. It looks like I was writing my last reply while you were writing yours. I didn't see that you'd already tried changing up the schedule and paying her more attention. Please disregard my smart a$$ comment about peeing on my human's floor to get more attention!

[KSH]

KSH, D'oh, I'm so sorry. It looks like I was writing my last reply while you were writing yours. I didn't see that you'd already tried changing up the schedule and paying her more attention. Please disregard my smart a$$ comment about peeing on my human's floor to get more attention!

Well, it's a fair statement. I know she needs more attention. Then again, this is the dog who refuses to sit in my lap and barely likes being pet. I try to ooze loving all over her and she struggles to get away.

I know what I'm doing isn't good enough. Thus, I believe I should find her a really good home... and I will have time to do that after December.

[xeney]

You know, if she is that tiny, I would find a rescue group. Tiny dogs are always easy to place, and in fact it is very hard to find a small dog available for rescue. Her housebreaking issues are only going to get worse if you have to keep leaving her alone for 12 hours. I would find a local rescue group, preferably a breed-specific one, and tell them about your change in circumstances, and I bet they will find her a home very quickly.

That is actually better than trying to do it yourself, because a rescue group will be equipped to foster and screen.

And seriously, you should do it right now. Because this is no way to live, not for her and not for you.

Good luck.

[Squeaky]

Based on what you've said, I think if you can find her the perfect home and can take the time to do so, then that's the right thing to do. I realize it's not an easy decision, and that major changes in life happen. It's just sad that so many animals end up at kill shelters, or there owners just drop them on the side of the road.

[Aggie_Ama]

KSH- I understand where you are coming from. One of my dogs is a rescue. I honestly thought I was getting a retired breeder from a reputable breeder. Her husband was a vet for crying out loud! Within the first year we got the supposedly healthy dog that had two litters of puppies (yeah right) cost us $600+ in non-routine vet bills.

She continues to cost a lot of money and I have often questioned if I should put her in a rescue group. The poor dog is not healthy due to her previous life. Luckily, my DH and I got better jobs and have been able to take care of her. Before the change in our financial situation I worried I couldn't give her the quality of life she deserved because I couldn't afford it.

You are doing the right thing by caring enough to look for a good home. I am sure there is a North Texas Maltese rescue group that will assist you. ((hugs))

[caligurl]

ok.... i so melted from the pics! *sigh*

[KSH]

Based on what you've said, I think if you can find her the perfect home and can take the time to do so, then that's the right thing to do. I realize it's not an easy decision, and that major changes in life happen. It's just sad that so many animals end up at kill shelters, or there owners just drop them on the side of the road.

Trust me... I would NEVER just dump this dog off anywhere. She is my baby and I will cry when I have to give her up. Just thinking about it is making me well up right now.

There is a Maltese Forum that I am going to post her picture on, etc. and see if I can find her a good home.

I will also look for a local rescue group.

This is a really cute dog, and she can be sweet... I know I can find a good home with the proper research.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Trust me... I would NEVER just dump this dog off anywhere. She is my baby and I will cry when I have to give her up. Just thinking about it is making me well up right now.

There is a Maltese Forum that I am going to post her picture on, etc. and see if I can find her a good home.

I will also look for a local rescue group.

This is a really cute dog, and she can be sweet... I know I can find a good home with the proper research.

Hey, just a thought- instead of holding out for the "perfect" home for her- how about just settling for a home where she'll get a better situation than she is currently in now with you? I'm not judging you my friend...it is just obvious that you are not in a good lifestyle to have dogs right now. Yes, go the Maltese Rescue route- all those people will have LOTS of time and patience to give to your little needy doggie.
I know you love her, and that's why you are doing the right thing in taking steps to get her a more "dog focused" environment. You are doing it because you DO care about her happiness.

[Morphine]

Wow! Thanks for the all the suggestions, really amazed at the "Ring-for-Poop-Time" bells indeed Cant wait to try that, although Teddy can only get the attention and have her poop time only when I am at home.

Currently, Teddy is confined to a relatively generous space (no cage) in the house when no one's at home (sometimes for more than 12 hours). She is mindful of the pooping corner during the day most of the time, but as soon as she is let out of the confined premises when I'm home, she does her act at other favourite corners in the house ! Also, I realised that the only time she manages to control her pooping act is when there are guests in the house and when in the car. As for the frequency of pooping, I'm sure there must be at least 4 times throughout 24 hours, its easy to predict the after meal attempts, but the morning ones prior to awakening are the most challenging & waking up at 4am will "kill" my day at work definitely. Haha.. who's being adopted by Teddy now ?

KSH, I'm sure you will find the best solution for your Maltese, may it be re-homing her or adjusting your lifestyle to adapt. Just be patient, but sharing your thoughts in this thread sure helps eh ?

[HappyAnika]

Honestly, I don't think she understands the diaper and that she is NOT peeing on the floor. Seriously.

Hmm, I'm confused. Is she peeing on herself as in she's laying down and doesn't realize she's "leaking"? Or is she actually getting up and going to a spot and squatting to pee on the floor, but since she's wearing a diaper it ends up there instead of the floor? If its the first, then it sounds like its incontinence. Incontinence is inconsistent (that's a mouthful). Just because they can hold it at certain times of the day doesn't mean they always can, unfortunately I don't have a good technical explanation for this, I'm just talking based on my experience. If the peeing is the latter, then it does sound like a behavioral issue, in which case I have no advice.

As far as the meds, the once every six days stuff costs about $20 for two months, which is nothing compared to the ridiculously expensive food we feed them.

I don't mean to sound rude, but if I was locked in a cage for 12 hours a day, I might pee on my human's floor just to get some attention. I realize dogs don't really think this way, I'm just sayin. . . I know you're tight on cash, but is there a retired neighbor or a kid you could have come by and let her out during the day for a small fee, just to see if that changes the situation? Good luck.

[KSH]

Hmm, I'm confused. Is she peeing on herself as in she's laying down and doesn't realize she's "leaking"? Or is she actually getting up and going to a spot and squatting to pee on the floor, but since she's wearing a diaper it ends up there instead of the floor? If its the first, then it sounds like its incontinence. Incontinence is inconsistent (that's a mouthful). Just because they can hold it at certain times of the day doesn't mean they always can, unfortunately I don't have a good technical explanation for this, I'm just talking based on my experience. If the peeing is the latter, then it does sound like a behavioral issue, in which case I have no advice.

As far as the meds, the once every six days stuff costs about $20 for two months, which is nothing compared to the ridiculously expensive food we feed them.

I don't mean to sound rude, but if I was locked in a cage for 12 hours a day, I might pee on my human's floor just to get some attention. I realize dogs don't really think this way, I'm just sayin. . . I know you're tight on cash, but is there a retired neighbor or a kid you could have come by and let her out during the day for a small fee, just to see if that changes the situation? Good luck.

This is what she is doing: Or is she actually getting up and going to a spot and squatting to pee on the floor, but since she's wearing a diaper it ends up there instead of the floor- YES!

I can certainly afford those meds- just maybe not the vet visit right now.

Now, trust me... I know her being locked in a cage that long is not good. I know this. Unfortunately, it's the best I can do for her.

I looked into dog walking services, but it would be $15 a day. I certainly can't afford that. I thought about doggie daycare, but she hates other dogs and leaving the house... and I don't have the time to get there/back or the money to pay for it.

Like I said, when I got her, I was married... so her life was better. The husband left... and I got the dog. And now I'm doing the best I can.... and unfortunately, it's not good enough.

As far as a neighbor doing it... I live in apartments and I don't trust or know anyone around me. On desperate days when I know I can't get there in 12 hours, I pay my boyfriend to walk her ($5). But he can't do that everyday for me.

With that said... I am doing the best I can. I know it's not that great... but it's all I got.