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kzak169

Rattie

09/26/2007 3:33 PM
Hello friends, I wonder if someone could tell me why my Lil Jack will go for 2 weeks without a poopy incedent in the house, then it seems like he's trying to get my attention and leaves me a present in the same spot by my recliner! He know's better and knows when he does it he's in trouble and doesn't get to play or have treats. Is he trying to tell me that he's not happy with me leaving for a couple hours a day? Scott...(and Lil Jack)

Kzak

swatson6

Attention Starved

09/26/2007 3:40 PM
I have found them to be a little vengeful for lack of a better word! They seem to display their displeasure with us in disgusting ways Is there a pattern to when he does it?

Sarah Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan

kzak169

Rattie

09/26/2007 3:48 PM
No pattern, but the same spot even after I clean it with carpet cleaner. One time I put the "NO" spray on the spot to see if that would work and it did for about 2 hours then he left another gift for me!!!! Scott

Kzak

StevenJ61

Rattie

09/28/2007 6:46 AM
It's possible he could be attracted to the smell. I'd use bleach or something strong to go over that area of the floor with so the smell to him is gone. Even if the smell remains, even slightly, it could draw your dog into popping in the same spot. Dogs are driven by scent. Make sure you use something strong to get rid of that spot and the smell!

DaisysMom

Moderator
<b>Moderator</b>

09/28/2007 8:36 AM
Scott, is he doing this when you are gone? How old is Lil Jack and is he crate trained? (Sorry if you've already said this somewhere else --- I have a hard time keeping up with everyone). In general and in my opinion, most dogs are not "acting out" as revenge, though that is how we as humans sometime see it. Usually any destructive misbehaviors, like chewing furniture, are a result of boredom or lack of stimulating exercise. However, when it comes to going potty in the house, I believe that usually it's because the dog really does not know what's completely expected of him or her -- even though we may think they do. (The only other scenario being illness and the dog just really cannot help it which is, of course, likely to happen to any dog at some time or other.) If he is doing this while you are gone, it is true that when you come home he will pick up on the fact that you are upset and he may react to that, BUT unless you are there to correct him IMMEDIATELY as he's going potty inappropriately he WILL NOT associate your irritation with the fact that he went poo beside your chair. I think this is an important thing to understand. Dogs only give us a window of a few tiny seconds to either positively or negatively react to an action so that we can therefore encourage or discourage specific behaviors. You cannot come home and find a mess and pull your dog over to it and have a discussion about what he did and expect that he will know and understand. He will not. He will know that you are unhappy, and will exhibit behaviors that lead you to believe he is "getting it", but trust me he is not associating the two things: his "accident" and your displeasure. If this is occuring while you are away, I would seriously encourage crate training Lil Jack if you have not done so. Or, if you have, and are just not using it any longer while you are gone - go back to it. Two hours is a very small amount of time for crating (Daisy is in hers 7 hours if we are all at work/school) and most dogs come to see their crate as their den and actually enjoy being there. If by some chance this is occuring while you are home, I would suggest that you make sure that Jack is within your eyesight at all times so that you can immediately correct him when he attempts to go potty in the house - by issuing a stern "No" (it doesn't need to be loud or too harsh) and immediately taking him outside. I would also suggest that for a while (if you are not already) making sure you go out with him when it's potty time so that you can offer him effusive praise when he does his business where he is supposed to. This way it can become really clear to Jack what is expected of him and what makes you happy and what doesn't. I hope that some of this is of help to you and that is the only way in which it was intended. The goal of my (and any members) response to this type of post is to offer as much insight, advice, and encouragement as possible so that our ratties and their owners can have the best relationships possible.

Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom

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