Pet owners: HELP!

[Jar]

Originally Posted by Ravenouss

Help!
I have a friend who has a very old pet. She had schedule a visit long time ago, but today she asked if she can bring her pet with her. Do wee wee pads work??? If you were visiting someone and they didn't want you to come with your old/needy pet, would you cancel the trip?

I've used the pads while house breaking a puppy and they worked well. If he's trained to use them you should be fine but I would still be afraid to trust them on white carpet. A friend of mine used diapers for her dog who had issues and they work great.

If he is confined to one room you could put a plastic tarp under the pads to make sure he doesn't miss.

If I were her I would offer to board him. Good luck!

[Julie]

Depending on the quality of the wee wee pad, they might or might not leak. The other issue is... This is an older dog and older dogs don't always make their target. I have chihuahua who still uses his wee wee pads and goes outside and there are times, and he tries - he misses. I personally, would NEVER bring an elderly pet or a pet who was not completely housebroken and well behaved. I have friends who always bring their pups, but I live in an all hardwood floor house and a fenced in yard. Don't feel bad for asking her not to bring the pup. This is your home.

[femmsational]

I have two who use pee pee pads. They have the same problem of not quite hitting the center every time. So I started using those big human bladder pads that people put on their beds. They are larger so they present a larger target. They still hit the edge sometimes though. I'm not sure a pee pee pad would save a white carpet no matter how big it is.

My own opinion.....I have an old pet. The LAST thing I want to do is haul her around and make her uncomfortable. If I travel I either have someone stay at the house or she'd go to a vet. At least she'd be in familiar place with people she knew. Plus that's such a big thing to ask someone to deal with. I wouldn't want to impose on my hosts.

Good luck.

[*Anya*]

I used pee pads with both of my dogs from the time I got them ( Bishon was 7-weeks old and rescue cock-poo was 6- months); until the day that they died.

They never once went anywhere in the house but on the pee pads (that's what I called them) or they went outside.

I think you need more information and what I would want to know:

* how long has the dog used them?
* any episodes of incontinence as the dog is older?
* how big is the dog? Mine were little and since I had two dogs, I used regular
size but put two down. They always hit the bulls eye (center).
* how often does she change them? When I was home, I would put fresh down
as soon as they were used. If I was out, as soon as I got home. They never
smelled as the pads have some kind of subtle dog deodorant. I never had
them leak as there is plastic on the bottom.

Bottom line: very well-trained to use pee pad dogs do fine but anything can
and will happen.

Only you know if you feel OK about the uncertainty.

Hope this helps.

[Rockinonahigh]

The only was I would ever bring a pet with me on a visit is if it had issues with sepreation from me or if I had a place to put it so it wouldn't have accidents or would feel safe with the host having the pet at there home.My pets are good natured but do have issues with strange people or people who have a bad attitude.I have used pee pads as well as the large bed pads and have no problem with them as long as the pet uses them.Most all my friends have all kinds of pets including pot bellied pigs,large birds, primates(that give me the creeps).

[RockOn]

I'd buy 4 tarps room size. They are really cheap at places like Harbor Freight, Big Lots ... I've even seen them in Dollar Stores. I would tell my friend about how happy I am with my new furnishings and that I must insist the pooch not be allowed down on the floor anywhere except the tarp room. She will need to hand carry in and out of house. Layering the tarp 4 deep, plus potty pads will keep your goods safe. If you leave him/ her behind for an outing, he/she needs to be crated - no exceptions. A geriatric might get frightened in unfamiliar surroundings and try to scratch at the closed door ... couple of hours of frantic scratching, the tarp is disheveled, carpet gets peed on, maybe do do too. Also, you would end up with bald patches of carpet around that door. Have your friend put something of hers she has worn in the crate. Her scent will comfort the dog.
Good luck!

[The_Lady_Snow]

I have to be honest, as a friend I would never expect my friends who have just remodeled their home, to allow me to bring my dog who is elderly and who may piss on their new stuff.

People who are your *friends* are going to understand if you say: " no, I am not comfortable with that".

I'd tell her no, truth be told...

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

I have to be honest, as a friend I would never expect my friends who have just remodeled their home, to allow me to bring my dog who is elderly and who may piss on their new stuff.

People who are your *friends* are going to understand if you say: " no, I am not comfortable with that".

I'd tell her no, truth be told...

Totally agreed.

Plus I think it would be hard on an old dog to travel—and with the stress of being in a strange place, she might be less likely to successfully use the wee wee pads.

I wonder why she isn't having someone come in and check on the dog. It might be a financial issue.

[Ravenouss]

Thank you everyone for your input. I was able to, based on your answers, ask informed questions such as does he ever miss the target? Would he comfortable in the garage? (It's kind of cold here, though my garage is insulated), etc.
After a few exchanges she made the decision herself: the pet is too old and he's tired from a trip she made recently so she decided not to drive him from upstate NY to DC and back.
I am relieved as today the workmen finished all flooring in the house and installed new carpet in my basement (so even the basement would not have been an option for the poor doggy).
Best of all: she's still coming. Her ex will take the dog for the long weekend and she'll be here with us, playing the best "auntie" she can be to our kids. I won't even mind all the chaos she produces in the kitchen as a result of her "baking lessons" as the kids enjoy it all so much!
THANK YOU!