10.11.2012

Good News / Bad News (Phoebe Vet Visit Update)

Phoebe can't really decide which expression to wear this morning.  Should she smile like this ... 

Or should she instead wear her pouty face ... like this?

The reason she is undecided is because we heard back from the vet yesterday afternoon and the good news is that Phoebe's urinalysis and bloodwork came back picture perfect.  She does not have a UTI, bladder infection, or any other medical issue that would explain the recent episodes of peeing on the floor.  That's the good news, and is certainly reason to smile.  The bad news is that since there is nothing medical to explain these episodes, it has to be behavioral.  IE - Phoebe has an aversion to going outside to pee in the rain, and has decided to pee on the floor in the house instead.  And while I must admit that I would not enjoy peeing in the rain either, neither do I find Phoebe's proposed alternative to doing so acceptable.  

So until the rain stops, well, raining, Phoebe will be spending the nights in her crate as opposed to in our bed.  She did so last night, and as, thank goodness, I have always made a point of building and maintaining positive association with the crate, she went in willingly, bedded down happily, and spent the night there without a whimper of protest or complaint.  She did wake up about thirty minutes earlier than my alarm was set to go off at 6:30 am, because she urgently needed to pee, which she did in spite of a light drizzle.  

I got a comment and an email or two about using puppy pads when it rains.  I know a lot of people use these, and that's fine.  For city dwellers with smaller dogs, I can see how these would make life a lot easier for all involved.  And if that were my situation, or if Phoebe were a puppy, a senior dog, or were ill, I would happily make use of these pads.  As it stands, though, she is none of these things.  We have a suburban house with a spacious fenced yard, and she also goes on frequent walks, so as unfortunate as it is, until she can learn to use the toilet, she's going to occasionally have to go outside and pee in the rain.  I already scoop three litter boxes on a daily basis.  I'm not going to add picking up soiled pee pads to my list of daily chores unless there is a valid reason to do so.  Unfortunately for Phoebe, I don't consider her stubbornness a valid reason.  Also, even though those pads are treated with a pheremone that is supposed to encourage the puppy/dog to eliminate on them, there is still training involved in getting the dog to actually use them.  I just can't justify expending effort and time training Phoebe to do something I don't want her to do.  

On the up side, the weather is changing and as of November 1st, our rainy season will be essentially over.  So in a few more weeks this should be a moot point anyway.  Meanwhile, if it rains during the day, Phoebe will be spending the nights in her crate.  Fortunately, she doesn't really mind this all that much.  

12 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Hugs to Phoebe!! Hope she always uses her happy face - too cute! Take care
x

Kate said...

Oh goodness. Well, I'm glad there's nothing medically wrong with her. For what it's worth, I feel your pain. My dogs hate pottying in the rain too. It's never gotten to the point where they've gone in the house instead, but I have spent many potty breaks leashing up the dogs and practically dragging them out to the yard and standing there (in the rain!) until they would finally go. I think eventually they all got the hint that they wouldn't be allowed to go back inside until they peed because now they make pretty quick work of it... still not fun!

Oskar said...

I'm glad nothing is medically wrong. I hope you get to the bottom of this soon.

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

Heather Peden said...

Personally, I like the pouty face best. What a cutie!

My dog Murdoch has gone through some weird "I don't want to get my feet wet, so I'll just pee on the deck (or on the floor)" behaviour. It comes and goes infrequently (thank goodness) and usually resolves itself after a few pee-breaks with me escorting him off the deck and over the wet, squishy ground. What a baby. It makes me laugh (after the initial frustration) because most of the time he is such a brute, so full of himself, and is kind of the neighbourhood bully, yet he doesn't like to get his feet wet?! I don't get it.

Ivan from WMD said...

Glad everything's OK. And that the weather will change soon enough. We don't want anyone to start calling her Peebe!

tubby3pug said...

Well thank goodness that she is ok health wise. Little guys can be stiners about rain

urban hounds

The Island Cats said...

We're sorry to hear Phoebe has decided she doesn't like to pee in the rain. If this is something new (meaning, in the past she has peed in the rain), maybe you can re-train her by using the crate. Good luck!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We are thrilled there is no medical problem going on with Phoebe. And if the crate works, then maybe she will get the message quickly. Phantom doesn't like to go out in the rain but he is so good, he will NOT go in the house either. Mom gets him to run out just long enough to take care of business.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Brenda said...

Oh Phoebe, Lady feels your pain. She HATES going out in the rain. It's so funny to see a big German Shepherd acting so dainty and offended about getting wet. But thank heavens she doesn't hate it enough to pee indoors...with a German Shepherd that would be quite a mess! I think your solution for Phoebe sounds just about perfect, and I'm glad nothing is wrong medically.

Quinn and Angel brandi said...

Glad that Phoebe is medically okay. Sorry for the pee problem. I kinda have the same problem, but I am not a dog and I do have a litter box. I just like peeing on the tile floor in my old age. Pooping is for litter boxes.
Mom says, thank goodness. Sort of. Or maybe it's because we have tile floors and they are easier to clean than carpet....

houndstooth said...

I'm glad there's not a medical problem, and crating is an easy solution! :)

Unknown said...

Firstly that is good news that it is not medical. We agree with the positive reinforcement. Good luck. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly