re house-training a 1yo after brain injury

[madmichelled]

ive got a jack russel x patterdale 1yo old who got trampled (accident) by our little pony and suffered broken leg and brain injury . shes now had cast /bandage of leg and seems back to normal in herself but although sometimes she remembers to ask to go out most of time she just suddenly squats or poos without warning and at times seems almost incontinent carrying on walking whilst going. she also seems like shes about to snap at times although she hasnt and didnt before accident . because she sometimes does go to door to go out for toilet im not sure best way to proceed any advice very gratefully received ! shes allowed to go for short walks from this week for 5mins so hoping this might improve situation also she wees in her bed now

[sarahp]

First port of call should surely be your vet for questions like this surely?

[vcl]

Agree with Sarahp. Id imagine your already having regular check ups with the vet? Maybe ask them specifically about the problems your having and see what they say. If they are happy everything is right id go back to basics as if she were a puppy. Letting her out as often as possible and praising her every time she does a wee outside....adding a cue word "pee pee", "widdle" etc. The snapping could just be for many reasons...what circumstances does she do it under?

[madmichelled]

hi shes under the vet has been for last 2months every week , he said could take time and that it could be down to head trauma and to be patient may get better in time . i am treating her like a puppy with retraining and like i said in post sometimes she asks like before and other times its like she dosent even know shes going so really just wondered if anyone else had been in this situation as like my vet said most dogs dont survive and she was really lucky but as to whether shes going to get better with toileting is impossible to say so bit frustrating at moment

[lucynlizzysmum]

Jul 12, 2012 15:41:07 GMT madmichelled said:

hi shes under the vet has been for last 2months every week , he said could take time and that it could be down to head trauma and to be patient may get better in time . i am treating her like a puppy with retraining and like i said in post sometimes she asks like before and other times its like she dosent even know shes going so really just wondered if anyone else had been in this situation as like my vet said most dogs dont survive and she was really lucky but as to whether shes going to get better with toileting is impossible to say so bit frustrating at moment

I am sure that it will get better with time - unfortunately some jacks and patterdale bit*hes are not the best to house train - and it may be a slightly reverted behaviour. If your vet is happy with her physically, it may be worth looking at a good behaviourist to help you.

Just as a matter of interest - have you tried videoing her to show the vet - also it could give you an insight into how and when she is needing to go out - sometimes it is amazing what we see on video that we didn't when we watched the animal the first time!! The fact that she pees in her bed now could well make it difficult for you to retrain, but I am sure not impossible. Best of luck.

[madmichelled]

thanks will try and get video although shes been peeing when door open and alsoo when shes just come in :z , have got downhearted since shes weed in bed as normally they dont but fingers crossed I will find a behavoirist and give ring and have quick trawl of net to see if happened to anyone thanks again very much appreciated

[kayjayem]

I would think it could probably be nerve damage from the trauma of the original accident. Maybe the messages are not being relayed from her brain to her bladder quickly enough and she doesn't actually know that she wants to go, in which case training probably wouldn't have much effect. If that was the case it could maybe just be a long wait while the nerves repaired themselves and she regained the sensation.

[lucynlizzysmum]

Jul 12, 2012 20:41:08 GMT madmichelled said:

thanks will try and get video although shes been peeing when door open and alsoo when shes just come in :z , have got downhearted since shes weed in bed as normally they dont but fingers crossed I will find a behavoirist and give ring and have quick trawl of net to see if happened to anyone thanks again very much appreciated

My old bit*h used to be a bit like this, and she used to pee in her bed from she was a pup. She had never had any form of injury - with help she stopped, but as she got elderly reverted to it again. But I also think that Kayjayem has a very good point too, and the fact that she as trained before it may be a while before the nerves mend. Keep us in touch with how you get on.

[madmichelled]

than ks nerve probs would make sense I ll keep you updated x

[madmichelled]

quick update on twinkle . shes nearly back to normal shes coming back up to yard/field again and since then shes been back to normal but although has quick round up of sheep and ponies she then comes to call and ignores them ! better than before! toilet wise shes had no accidents for week and hopefully weve got the old twinkle back!!! thanks so much for all the advice shes not barking as much as before either and although bit aggressive towards other dogs first trip out shes now back to getting on well with other dogs !! BUT! she has taken a very keen interest in chickens !!!!!!!!!!!!! so will be sporting a muzzle when around them just in case!! thanks again for comments and advice i will let you know how dog training goes