Q: I have a 16-year old mixed Schnauzer and I need help taking care of her in her old age. I am on social security and my funds are limited. I take her to the local APL but maybe there's some home remedies that can help her arthritis. I am living with my mother because she had a stroke in March. Her dog is 4 years old and not housebroken yet, HELP! What can I do to break him? He is very stubborn but also very high strung. He is a Chinese Crested, a fluff ball. I've had the yard fenced for both dogs. My dog loves it but I have to push her dog out the door. If I go and sit out there he just comes and sits next to me. I would really like to get him to cooperate. Can you give me any suggestions?
A: I'm so glad your Schnauzer mix has had such a long life, and that you have the APL to help out with veterinary care. I'm sure you know, that is a really old dog. Rimadyl helps some dogs with arthritis pain, but can put a strain on the dog's liver, especially at your dog's age. It is possible your dog's problems are caused by old stress injuries, too, from activities such as jumping down from furniture. Arthritis is a disease of the joints that might respond to such nutritional therapy as glucosamine chondroitin, but soft tissue damage would probably not benefit from it.
Some veterinarians are able to offer reduced fees for senior citizens, but veterinarians these days are in a financial pinch. Some towns have a high number of veterinarians competing with each other, and pet superstores offering vaccinations at a discount. Vaccinations and other routine care for healthy animals are the mainstay of a veterinarian's business, so this is making it difficult for some to maintain all the equipment, supplies and employees a veterinary hospital requires. You can see how difficult it is to provide reduced fees, especially for treatment that includes laboratory work (the veterinary has to pay the laboratory) and medications.
One thing you can do at home that might make your oldster feel better is to gently groom her coat thoroughly every day, with lots of time spent cuddling and massaging her. This can help a dog maintain the ability to tolerate being handled and keep you in close touch with any particularly sore spots requiring medical help. All dogs benefit from this daily time, and it can be a great comfort to the old ones.
How about a play pen in the house for your mother's dog? At age 4, housebreaking in a male of this small breed may be a challenge. If he is not neutered, that needs to be done. It will benefit his health in future years, and reduce his urge to mark in the house. Treat every area he has ever had an accident in the house with a bacterial enzyme odor eliminator product such as Nature's Miracle. This will remove odor too faint for a human to smell--odor that will signal a dog's instincts to use the spot again.
When you're outside with her dog and see him relieve himself, use a phrase that he will eventually come to connect with that act, such as "Do Your Business," "Hurry Up," "Better Go Now," or "Go Potty." It doesn't matter what you choose, as long as you consistently say the same thing. Then if you catch him in the act of having an accident in the house, you can scoop him up, run him outside, and say your special words, to remind him this is where that belongs. Whenever he does it outside, even if he just made a mistake in the house, be sure to praise him. And no punishment for housebreaking mistakes. Dogs simply don't learn that way, and it can cause new problems.