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asked:
Dear Warren,
My mom is scheduled to have major surgery soon but is worried about her 9 month old dachshund. She lives alone in NYC. I will be staying in her place while she's recuperating for the first week. After that she will be hiring a dog walker for the dog. He's not fully trained and we need to get him trained ASAP so he poops and pees on command. Mom will not be able to bend down to clean up any messes.
Thank You,
Donna in Los Angeles |
Hi Donna,
It's important to know that studies indicate people recovering from major surgery will recuperate 50% faster if they have a pet at home. The pet will be your mother's best therapist when she comes home after the surgery. Now as far as housebreaking goes, the easiest way to accomplish it is by "confine or watch" there's no in between. So when mom is home recuperating having a dog with freedom to roam the house is not going to work at that point. Now you know I'm very much against crating, but what I might put right alongside your mom's bed is a little doggy play pen with no top on it. Keep potty pads in there so if the walker doesn't come on time she doesn't have to worry about it. Generally speaking, a dog is not going to "go" where they hang out or sleep. Use the AKC Gold Stain & Odor Remover to clean up any accident areas and you should have no problems at all.
Hugs & Kissses!
Warren |
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asked:
Dear Warren,
My cat is 4-5 years old and everything was fine until about 8 or 9 months ago when he started pooping on our beds. He'll either poop on our bed or the guest bed, and this happens randomly. I researched it online and we tried changing his litter several times to see if that was the problem. It turns out he doesn't like the real rock like litter, but prefers the dust or sandy style. He still pees like normal in the litter box, he just doesn't like to poo in it anymore.
Thank You,
Daryl, in Escondido |
 Hi Daryl,
Let me explain to you why this is happening, it may not have anything to do with the litter. Rarely will you ever see wild cats pee and poop in the same area. They're two distinct markings and two distinct different meanings to them. In some cases we have that instinctive cat that wants a box to pee in and a box to poop in. I would put a second box about a foot or so away from the first box, with the type of litter that you think your cat prefers. Next, be sure to wash your bedding and mattresses with American Kennel Club Gold Stain & Odor Remover to remove all traces of his odors. Then I want you to get two plates and place a few pieces of kibble on each. Put one plate on each bed whenever no one is using them. If he eats them, I want you to put the food back into them. Cats are pretty clean animals and they're not going to poop where they eat. When they see the food is there, there is no reason to claim that territory by pooping because it obviously already belongs to them. That will eliminate the cat's need to poop on the bed if there is any territorial reason he's doing it. I promise you within a week you'll be sleeping on a dry bed.
I hope that helps!
Warren  |
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