Toileting

[Cath S]

Not really sure what people can add but figured I had nothing to lose by posting. The weather has been warmer and as a result Freddie is drinking more water and therefore toileting more - particularly in the evening. I would not dream of taking away his water but he is now going about every half hour after his last walk between 6 and 10pm and it has become a little relentless. It’s like having a puppy again. Just wondered if anybody had any tips - I live on my own and it feels like I have no time to myself anymore. He used to just have 1 final loo break before 10pm. Any advice welcome.

 

[JoanneF]

Maybe pop a sample into the vet in case it's a UTI.

 

[JudyN]

I can't remember - how old is he now? Have you discussed this with the vet in case there could be a medical reason? Is he on any medication for his IBD in addition to the special diet?

Is he 100% reliable in the house (as long as you let him out when he asks, obviously)? And when you take him out, does he just go out, wee, and come back in, or is there any benefit involved, such as getting to sniff the borders, or a reward for weeing, or even just checking next door's pesky cat hasn't snuck into the garden?

 

[Cath S]

He was 1 at the end of April. I haven’t discussed with the vet as he seems to spend most of his time there and has done for a while. He isn’t on any meds and no accidents since September last year. He does do several wees each time he goes out.

 

[JoanneF]

I wonder - with the nights being lighter and warmer for longer - could he just be wanting to spend more time outside? Does he wee 'efficiently' for lack of a better word, i.e. go out, wee, come back home, or is he pootling around, sniffing, exploring, having a good time.

 

[Cath S]

I am no vet but if he had a UTI wouldn’t it be all the time? He is fine during the day and only went out once in the night. He has been a little unsettled at night due to change in food which caused stomach upset so night time wees are not unusual. Just got up and no urgency for him to go out. Each time he goes he does do a decent wee but there is not always an urgency and he does also have a sniff around. It’s frustrating as evening time is my relaxing time after work. If it’s just due to the lighter evenings the how do I stop this?

 

[JudyN]

I suppose it's less likely to be medical if he's OK for the rest of the day and overnight... though as I'm not an expert I wouldn't rule it out. I would try to make evening wees really boring - either cobble up an enclosed area where he can wee but not sniff and furtle around, or take him out on lead and don't let him do any 'interesting stuff'. Only letting Jasper out into a 'boring' area at night-time stopped him asking to go out several times a night within 2 or 3 days.

 

[Cath S]

Ok thanks - will try that. I live in a flat so have to take him on a lead to the communal gardens anyway but I do tend to let him bimble around which I will stop and see what happens.

 

[Hemlock]

Ah - communal gardens. Adolescent. Once infections have been ruled out - and I would respectfully suggest you drop a wee sample off at the vet for checking - this could be due to wildlife or other dogs marking "his" area. Is it a safe enough district that you could walk him round the block instead?

 

[Flobo]

I was going to suggest maybe after tea and before you want to sit and relax try taking him for a little walk (even 10/15 minutes may do) so he can do a few wees and have a sniff around away from the garden... Might help him settle more when you're back until it's bedtime?
Sorry I just reread your initial post and you said he starts wanting to go out half hour after his last walk... Is there anyway you can just make his last walk a bit later now it's lighter and see if that makes any difference?

 

[Cath S]

Ah - communal gardens. Adolescent. Once infections have been ruled out - and I would respectfully suggest you drop a wee sample off at the vet for checking - this could be due to wildlife or other dogs marking "his" area. Is it a safe enough district that you could walk him round the block instead?

Yes - communal gardens with other dogs! Arghh! Must have been sheer amount of water on sat as wasn’t an issue last night but he did need a wee in the night.

 

[Cath S]

I was going to suggest maybe after tea and before you want to sit and relax try taking him for a little walk (even 10/15 minutes may do) so he can do a few wees and have a sniff around away from the garden... Might help him settle more when you're back until it's bedtime?
Sorry I just reread your initial post and you said he starts wanting to go out half hour after his last walk... Is there anyway you can just make his last walk a bit later now it's lighter and see if that makes any difference?

I was thinking the same - might help with the middle of the night wee!

 

[Cath S]

I was just wondering do dogs toileting continue to change as they get older? Freddie is now 14 months and I have started to take him for a late night walk before bed. He was not emptying his bladder fully with just a toilet break so I started taking him for a walk. It’s worked and he hasn’t been up in the night for weeks. My question is will he continue to develop or is that it now? I am asking as it is fine being summer at the moment but not relishing the late night winter walks and was wondering if it’s just a phase and will pass? Any advice welcome. Thanks

 

[Hemlock]

It isn't just wee to them. It's very important communication too. It's the dog equivalent of reading the weemails. So let him sniff and send his own messages. As a teenager, he will be more about social media (sound familiar?) but as he gets older, although he will still be curious to check and add to communications, he'll get the feel of the short pre-bedtime walk, and when it's cold and wet, he'll be quite happy to do a swift check and come home into the warm especially if there is a biscuit or similar before bed!

 

[Cath S]

It isn't just wee to them. It's very important communication too. It's the dog equivalent of reading the weemails. So let him sniff and send his own messages. As a teenager, he will be more about social media (sound familiar?) but as he gets older, although he will still be curious to check and add to communications, he'll get the feel of the short pre-bedtime walk, and when it's cold and wet, he'll be quite happy to do a swift check and come home into the warm especially if there is a biscuit or similar before bed!

Thanks for that - it makes sense and happy to carry on all the time he needs it!

 

[Cath S]

One of my favourite current pics of freddie

 

[JudyN]

Love that photo - he's saying 'Muuum, don't you dare post that on social media'