I'm having a power struggle with my dog

[disykat]

My dog has been sick for several weeks. We finally figured out she was poisoning herself in the back yard by eating tent catepiller feces (we have an infestation in our trees). She is feeling much better now that she is not allowed in the backyard. Meanwhile I have this very spoiled dog (I've been babying her trying to get her to eat and drink etc.) who has to be walked for potty breaks. She misses just going out in the yard.

I am quickly losing patience with walking her since she is refusing to go when commanded. Now I'm being super strict and just putting her right back in her crate after walking if she doesn't go. You'd think after being in her crate all night she'd have to go, but I've walked her twice this morning and she still hasn't gone. She's back in her crate.

I felt like the worst person in the world as she slunk back into her crate with her tail down. I let her get away with too much because when she wasn't eating/drinking she didn't have to go. Now that she doesn't have that excuse anymore I know she's just being stubborn.

To add to it, I'm still mad at her about when I fell while trying to get her to go on Wednesday and hurt myself. ARGGGH!

 

[fkj2]

If she was poisoned, she may have some neurogenic component. Give her the benefit of the doubt and check with the vet.

Even if there's not a physical explanation, she may need a little more time to recover.

 

[Dodie]

Some dogs simply do not like to "go" when they're on a leash, especially if they're not used to it. It's a privacy issue - honest.

Has she been to the vet at all? If she's been in her crate all night, she SHOULD have to go. If she's not anxious to go first thing in the morning, there may be something wrong.

 

[richard3330]

Oh Dear , I'm glad your dog is better now.

We have 2 very young Westies (One is 10 months and one is 6 months).

We found it extremely hard to house train Boo (doggy 1 (10months)) and it took a very long time. From past experience and the guide books that I have read, I totally agree with Dodie - It may be a privacy thing. Boo and Cassie sleep in their crate in the kitchen at night and both run outside in the morning to go to toilet, as soon as we get out. I think it is a bit strange if he/she hasn't gone at all through the night or in the morning.

It's probably nothing, but it's better to be safe than sorry - take them to the vet and get it checked out, just to be on the safe side.

Richard.

 

[disykat]

Thanks for the input! I think it is that she has to go on the leash. She certainly does that when we're on vacation etc., but I think the fact that she hasn't felt well and hasn't been real regular is playing into this. She's drinking/eating again, but it'll take her a while to get back to normal. She did finally go on her third walk. I'm used to just telling her "go potty" and she'll squat (well, most of the time anyway!). She's been so spoiled all her training has gone out the window I guess.

We did take her to the vet and have consulted over the phone as well. She has a grooming appointment next week and we'll weigh her again then to make sure she's gaining back the weight she lost. I'm extra worried about her because in one week we're going on a 3 1/2 week vacation - she'll be staying with friends. It going to be traumatic enough for all of us without her sick!

 

[Indyman]

Try a bran muffin before taking her for a walk.