Couple of questions and some guy love!
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Couple of questions and some guy love!
Submitted by FWicks on April 21, 2010 - 12:39amFirst the questions:
First Question:
Stig is starting to pee and poop in his crate. I'm not talking about a matter of not being able to hold it. The door to the crate is open, I turn around to do something while he is playing with one of his toys, and when I turn back around, he has walked into his crate and is doing his business - sometimes on his bed!! My husband said he thinks this is because the crate is really large and he has too much room, so he can always just sleep in a different area. The other crate we have that he usually sleeps in at night is a small carrier type that he has just enough room to turn around, stand up, and lay down in, and he has only peed in that one once, and I believe it was because I was in the shower and he probably couldn't hold it or was upset (that was the first time he had been completely alone). I know the size of the crate may be to blame, but I also wonder if he is marking it. The only thing that makes me think this may be the case is that the last two times I have washed his bed and crate linens, he has immediately peed on them when he wasn't even confined to his crate. Any ideas/opinions/theories/suggestions on this?
Second Question:
I think Stig may have an allergy to something outside. His little eyes get sooo red sometimes, and I have noticed that they are fine and nice and white in the morning, but after we've been out (even for a couple minutes) they become red and the bottom rim looks to be a little swollen. It seems to vary in redness and swelling throughout the day, so this is the only thing I could link it to. Is there anything I can do for him?
Now, a picture of Stig sleeping in my husband's lap while he plays Xbox and talks smack to the other "Xboxers":
[IMG]![[linked image]](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/farra712/100_0918.jpg)
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(Excuse the box in the background. We are packing for our move!)
benedryl for the eyes..
if they are fine some of the time and red after going outside, it's most likely allergies.
I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
You can buy the generic Benedryl at Costco for $4 for about 3 or 400 pills. It's the little pink solid 25mg pill. If you have never given him any Benedryl, then start with a half, or ask your vet.
Ask the vet about giving Benedryl if he is a very young puppy.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"
I aree with Elaine now as for the red eyes
My Lola's is like this too. I use an allergy eye drop that my vet told me to use. Also check for distichya, I know I spelled this wrong, but it's theses little tiny eye lashes that grow inside the lid and irritate they eye, if left untreated they can cause ulcers to the eye, I would just have it checked to be sure that's not what it is. Lola had hers done when she was very little I am going to have them checked again.
Some thoughts
Re the peeing/pooping in his large crate, I think your hubby is correct, that its too large for a young pup to understand how to use it "properly" and I would try to section it off or not allow him access except when you will be in the same room. Along with this, you need to remove any-and-all padding in the crate that he is using to 'scent or mark' his place. This is commonly done in multi-dog households but a youngster can do it from memory of his first home, or just because...and an unaltered male is most likely to do this (or a bitch who is trying to claim top spot in a multi-bitch household). I know, its difficult to think that the little guy is sleeping on cold metal or plastic, but he needs to break the marking habit...that's where your focus needs to be. You also need to clean the interior floor of the crate very well to remove any animal scent, and a good strong cleaner is needed first, then clean again with Natures Miracle or other product to remove odors (keep it around for carpet accidents too). If his toys get into the urine, wash them in the dishwasher or laundry with towels and bleach.