Older dogs suddenly stopped using kennel

[rosieh]

Hi, I have a 16 yr old JRT & 10 yr old springer Spaniel, both bitches. I have a wooden shed/kennel with loads of duvets in it, which they both used to love to snuggle into when I was away at work. In the last 3 weeks they have both stopped using the kennel and are sheltering under bushes in the garden!

I removed all the duvets and blankets and replaced them with new, got into the shed with them etc, but within a week something has pee'd in the shed and they refuse to sleep/shelter in it.

As you can imagine, I'm at my wits end as the JRT is a delicate little old lady, who shouldn't be sheltering under a bush! She loves the heat and used to snuggle right under a few duvets.

I don't know if it's a fox or the male dog next door who is sprinkling in the kennel, I just want to find a solution that will allow them to be happy in their shed (which is plenty big for the two of them to share)

If anyone can help I'd be very grateful!!

 

[gypsysmum]

Clean the shed with a 10% solution of biological washing detergent. Rinse. Dry. That should eradicate any lingering scent that might be causing the visiting animal to over mark on the old scent.

If some other creature is visiting the shed then it is going to be very difficult to find a solution because it will happen again.

Can you set up a video camera of some sort so that you can find out what is happening?

There are cat flaps on the market that only allow the cat to enter, through it, if the cat is wearing a special collar with the right code on. Not sure if there is anything similar for dogs. You could then fit a dog flap that only allows your dogs through it.

Do you already have a dog flap or is the shed open? If you don't have one it might be worth thinking about. Teach your dogs to use it by luring them through with food etc. The other creature might be put off by using the flap??

I assume the dogs are in the shed, rather than the house, for a reason. Could they be crate trained so that they could be left in a crate in the house? Dogs do learn to love the den aspect of being in a crate if it is done slowly and with positive training methods. Feed them in it, throw treats in it etc until they happily go in and out. Then shut the door for a few seconds and gradually build up the time spent. If it is toileting issues that mean they have to have access to the garden then that might prove another hurdle.