Allowing non-housebroken dog to move in

[tonyclifton]

Not necessarily an RV situation but could use some advice from pet-minded people.

It's probably time to move my 78 year old mother into my home. She currently lives on her own 2 hours away and doesn't have much of a support network helping her. Her mind is sharp but her body is going downhill with bad knees, overweight and has already had a bad fall that dislocated her shoulder. It will be a huge adjustment for all but I'm OK moving her into my home where I can look after her. I predict it would only be a couple years and then she will be needing to go to some assisted living facility.

My biggest concern is she never housebroke her little chihuahua dog. Instead she allows it to go on some kind of absorbent pads which are laid down in various locations throughout the house, and it doesn't always go on them as I routinely pick up poops everytime I visit and the house smells of urine. To be honest I find disgusting and won't subject my family and life to accepting that on top of the other accomodations. To make this move-in situation work there has to be boundaries for all parties and this is going to be one of mine.

My dilemma is what to do about it. As a dog lover and owner myself I know how heartless it will feel to my mom to ask her to find her dog another home. It will probably prevent her from moving in with us as I know she loves that dog. It is maybe 10 years old and won't live forever but I'm going to hold my line on this issue. Maybe it can be trained to go outside but I have little hope at this advanced age.

Suggestions?

[colliehauler]

KCFDCapt wrote:
We have an older dog with failing eyesight. There is a dog door for him to use, but he does not want to go out at night. It became a problem when we had puddles on the carpet. To alleviate the problem, we trained him to go out every evening around 8:30. I have a very bright flashlight that I shine on him and give the command "Let's go outside." He can see the light and follows outside into the backyard. I then tell him "Go pee pee." He does his job and we go back inside. No more night time messes.

This^^^. It's like training a puppy with a small bladder. Take them out every 2 hrs to go potty. Dogs do not generally like to potty where they sleep or eat. If they have another option to go outside they will use it. When they potty outside brag on what a good dog they are. Having another dog will have a urine smell outside that will encourage the other dog to go in the same place.

[wanderingaimles]

You mentioned have a dog of your own, do the two get along? Yours could be a help in training hers. The older Chihuahua may want to go outside when it has a running mate.
If they dont get along, you may have an even greater problem with a territory battle rising between them and your floors being the battlefield.

[KCFDCapt]

We have an older dog with failing eyesight. There is a dog door for him to use, but he does not want to go out at night. It became a problem when we had puddles on the carpet. To alleviate the problem, we trained him to go out every evening around 8:30. I have a very bright flashlight that I shine on him and give the command "Let's go outside." He can see the light and follows outside into the backyard. I then tell him "Go pee pee." He does his job and we go back inside. No more night time messes.

[tonyclifton]

Yes - this is surely her beloved companion, hence my challenge to find something that works for us. I'll read up on potty training.

Our dog was potty trained quite easily. This little dog is fearful of going outside and has not had to for basically it's whole life. Mom was too lazy to potty train it and left it at home while she was at work all day so it was simply convenient to her to let it go inside and clean it up. Not wanting to go outside is why I think we will struggle with potty training.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Assuming grandma will have a room of her own, I would have a nice (waterproof) vinyl plank floor installed, and either lay pee pads or try the litter box. Most dogs will want to pee on something other than a hard surface. The dog must stay in that room, or be carried to the outside until it proves it can be trusted. If the dog must be included in family gatherings, one of those strollers for pets might be a solution. Or doggy diapers.

I wouldn't want to take in a dog like this either - but there ARE options to save your house.

[gbopp]

JRscooby wrote:
Diapers.

That's just bypassing one problem and creating another problem.

I agree, the best thing is to take the time to house train the dog. No,, it won't be easy but it can be done.

[JRscooby]

Diapers.

[2chiefsRus]

You are in a tough situation. You have my sympathy. Suggest you limit the dog to one room unless it is being closely monitored by a family member other than your Mother. That family member is going to have to watch the dog like a hawk and take it to do its business immediately with the hope that it can be trained properly. I would also suggest since it is a small dog that you google options for training a dog to use a litter box. Hopefully others will chime in with more suggestions.

[valhalla360]

Maybe take the initiative and potty train it? You and the kids will likely have to take the lead.

Yes, old dogs can learn. Google potty training dogs and lots of free resources.

It may sound horrible but if she is mostly living alone, that is probably her closest friend and companion right now.

Sorry no easy answers.