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SeaWolf14
*Crazy Cat Lady*
Member since 7/13 1324 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Dog Training Help?? Adult dog.
Please help if you have any ideas.
My parents have an 8 year old German Shep who has increasingly severe hip dysplasia. She still gets around, but has some trouble slipping b/c her hips aren't great. She takes daily meds, and doesn't appear to be in a lot of pain; she eats a lot, plays, barks, sleeps well, etc. The biggest issue that we have is that my parents live on the 2nd floor, and the poor girl has to walk downstairs to the yard to do her business. The stairs are just getting to be too much for her. My bright idea was to make an area up on their deck of sod or astroturf so that she can poop w/out having to go down the stairs, and then my parents can just hose it down. Well, she's just totally confused about what this patch of fake grass even IS. Smells it and then looks up at us, like "wtf is this?"
Any ideas as to how we can make her adjust to this? She's 90 pounds so carrying her down the stairs isn't really an option. My dad read about some sort of spray that they use to train puppies, so we're going to pick that up today, but any other suggestions are welcome!
This would be so much easier if she was a first floor dog.
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Posted 8/15/13 9:43 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Training Help?? Adult dog.
I'm sorry he's hurting!!! No advice on how to train him to go out there, but our older collie has hip dysplasia, too. I'm not sure what medications your vet has given you for him, but ours takes Cosequin DS which is just a vitamin that helps with mobility. We have definitely seen a marked difference in him since he's been on it. You can pick it up at pet supply stores or even BJ's.
Plus, they are tasty. Our Rascal thinks he's getting a treat when he takes them! lol!
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| Posted 8/15/13 9:47 AM |
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SeaWolf14
*Crazy Cat Lady*
Member since 7/13 1324 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Dog Training Help?? Adult dog.
Thanks!
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| Posted 8/15/13 10:00 AM |
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strongisland
All you need is love
Member since 8/07 2474 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: Dog Training Help?? Adult dog.
i was going to suggest glucosomine pills to help with the joints and fish oil pills as well...you will see a difference!
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| Posted 8/17/13 10:46 PM |
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Gigi143
LIF Toddler
Member since 6/12 435 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Training Help?? Adult dog.
As gross as it is, why not trying putting a little of her urine and poop on it so she smells it and knows to go, or i think there is a product that smells and will make them want to mark their territory.
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| Posted 8/29/13 5:25 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Dog Training Help?? Adult dog.
Posted by Gigi143
As gross as it is, why not trying putting a little of her urine and poop on it so she smells it and knows to go, or i think there is a product that smells and will make them want to mark their territory.
Yes, that's what I was going to say.
Also, take a long bath towel or sheet with you up and down the stairs. Slip in under the hips/stomach area and just "help" her get up and down. There are much more expensive slings sold for this but a bath towel will do just fine and give her the independence she needs to do her business where she wants to do her business.  It's hell getting old, and she's going to be able to maintain some semblance of dignity if she can do her business in the yard.
I have 2 Labs that are getting older which also may have hip issues in the future, and I started giving them Synovi-G3 supplements to give their joints a bit more help.
Keeping weight down is *really* important and not letting the dog jump up or down anything. Cars, beds, couches. There are ramps to help with all of those.
Also, keep the hair on her paw pads short so she can grip on slick surfaces and place area rugs on hard floors so she has safe zones to stand and rest.
Kudos to you and your parents for caring for her in her old age. It's really sweet. 
Message edited 8/30/2013 12:50:39 PM.
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| Posted 8/30/13 12:50 PM |
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