Dog People: Help With My Older Dog [UPDATE!!!]

[Iron Chef]

One of my dogs, Chuck, is 13. He's a Lab/Beagle mix and is also diabetic. He's likely on "borrowed time" in his life (or so my vet says).

My problem is that I'm having my flooring re-done. I'm going with engineered hardwood throughout the house and Travertine tile in the kitchen. Chuck's health problems are such that he's not always in control of his faculties. I have put down some puppy pads and he does take to them, but sometimes misses. If I put down nothing, he'll destroy the new floors in no time.

I can't wait any longer to do the floors...I can't live like this with destroyed carpet and half of the wood floors pulled up. I'm also not ready to put my dog down. He's having somewhat of a hard time but is still basically ok. The weather will be getting warmer soon so he'll be able to stay out during the day.

A few things: He's never been crated so I don't think that's an option...especially when I'm gone for several hours. I can't let him stay in the garage if it's too hot or cold. I have Andersen solid pane doors along the back of my house and we cannot seem to find a doggie door that will work.

My contractor is coming later today to discuss the build, but I'm open to suggestions.

TIA.

[73sbVert]

Hey Mike,

Not much suggestion other than maybe laundry room option? Or make an area just for Chuck in the garage that you CAN heat and make comfy? At least while you're gone?

I feel for you, and your predicament. Hope all comes out well.

[FasterTraffic]

If he's going to be inside, you're going to have to contain him somehow. A large crate would give him plenty of room and, if there is an accident, you can slide out the plastic tray and hose it off.

I think if you get the crate and started feeding him in the crate, you'll be surprised how quickly he becomes accustomed to it.

[Broken Wind]

For us, loss of bodily functions signals it's time. I know you aren't ready for that, but if he can't control himself, you know what will happen. Otherwise, I would give the crate a try. He may adjust. Ya never know. Othwise, I got nuthin'.

['77Babe]

If he's using the training pads, would it be possible to make a bigger "tray" that is waterproof and you could line with these?

[DAB]

homey and lowes sells self adhesive floor protectors in rolls, about 3 feet wide, sticks to hardwood and carpet, builders use it to protect floors.

few bucks a roll, 2 hands (your son or daughter) will make it easier to put down, and any mess will not get to your good flooring.

[Bucwheat]

We had a Husky years ago that could not hold it ,we put her in the laundry room with one of those expandable child/pet gates in the doorway,otherwise they will claw up the inside of he door.

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by DAB

homey and lowes sells self adhesive floor protectors in rolls, about 3 feet wide, sticks to hardwood and carpet, builders use it to protect floors.

few bucks a roll, 2 hands (your son or daughter) will make it easier to put down, and any mess will not get to your good flooring.

If you go that route, you can also get plastic drop sheets for containing paint. They're next to the drop cloths. I just bought a huge roll for a few bucks at Home Depot.

Of course, that assumes you want to line your house with the stuff and that the dog isn't going to move it around and take a dump on an unprotected spot.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Are the doors you're talking about sliding glass doors or hinged doors?

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

I can't let him stay in the garage if it's too hot or cold.

Why not a portable a/c, space heater, nice doggie bed and/or rug ?

[simpleman68]

Some good suggestions above about trying some crating. I don't have anything to offer other than that.
Sorry your pal is having troubles

One of the hardest things in life aside from losing a family member.
Scott

[Bill]

How about baby-gate type fencing to keep your best friend in a tile floor only area? Also, do you have neighbors or friends that could let him out while you are gone during the day? If I'm not going to get home at a decent hour, I have several neighbors I can call to let my senior pup out.

For those that mention putting the dog down, there's a big difference between can't hold it for 8-10 hours and can't hold it, period.

Putting down the training pads might not be fully clear to a senior dog who has spent his whole life doing his business in the great outdoors.

[wwomanC6]

Section off a space in the tile area and put down drop cloth gets my vote!

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

How about baby-gate type fencing to keep your best friend in a tile floor only area?

Travertine is porous, more or less so depending on the style. Even though it's tile, I would not want to come home to find the dog created a diarrhea pond on my travertine floor.

Here's the plastic sheeting:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/2021842...cy&R=202184261

[Hoog]

The original carpet in our current house was badly in need of replacement several years ago and we had already decided to go with wood floors. Our then 13 year old German Shepherd was fine on the carpet, but getting to the point where she couldn't get up on the tile floors unless her nails were long enough to catch in the grout lines (pillowed edge tiles). She was also having the occasional accident.

We never once thought of the floors ahead of the dog. But..

A year or so later when it was "time", we took her to the vet's office and she couldn't even walk on the smooth tile there. I literally had to hold her up as she struggled to get across the waiting room. In that moment the wife and I realized that we had waited way too long. We were looking past the issues with her age, and not considering her quality of life.

Beyond the accident issue, honestly consider how the smooth floors are going to affect his mobility.

[Iron Chef]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to figure stuff out with them to see what's possible and what isn't.

Sandy - The doors are hinged, but they take specialized lock mechanisms.

Oh and one more thing...folks...between my vet and myself, I'm sure we'll realize when Chuck's "time" will be. But it isn't yet...and I'd rather not discuss it, so let's just keep that and the stories about how the end comes out of the conversation, ok? I'm not trying to be a dick, I just don't want to discuss that.

[MrPeabody]

Some possible solutions here, Chef. Best of luck with your pooch.

Amazon.com: doggy grass pad

[ConstantChange]

It seemed a little crazy to me, but I have a friend that puts on a doggy diaper on her pug when it's inside. They take it on and off every time it wants to go outside.

Not sure if that's even an option with a dog the size of yours, but something to think about.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

Some good answers here, some not so good.
We battled this issue for almost two years with three different dogs. We're experts.

How about baby-gate type fencing to keep your best friend in a tile floor only area

Did this, and it works great.

homey and lowes sells self adhesive floor protectors in rolls

We did this along with the baby gate. It works great also. And it works great when you've got 8 pups running around the house.

It seemed a little crazy to me, but I have a friend that puts on a doggy diaper on her pug when it's inside. They take it on and off every time it wants to go outside.

We do it for our old guys when they get incontinent. Always have always will.

Nothing like the old dogs. They're just the greatest.

[Jeff '79]

We just walked in from an overnight at Niagara Falls. The FIL gave Bandit his insulin shots last night and this morning... We walked in to an accident on our relatively brand new floor. Luckily, it's tile, so we just keep the mop & bucket handy... Hey, it happens...
There's no way in hell we'll have the comfort of our dog compromised by arelegating him to a prison area, just because we have new floors...Carpet would be an entirely different issue though. We have none in the house so I can't help you there....