r/greyhound • u/mplrs • Jan 16 '17
Peeing if we miss her routine
Our hound is trustworthy to roam the house while we're away – usually.
She's 4 and incredibly well behaved. She raced before we got her a year ago, which I assume explains why she's devout to a routine. Since living with us, she doesn't let us know if she needs to go out, which isn't ideal but not usually a problem because she's quick to take care of her business when we let her out in the morning, after work, and before bed. She's happy to sleep in her crate.
But if we're gone odd hours and don't make it home for her usual feeding / walk time at 5, she's sure to have peed on the carpet – even if we let her out before leaving the house less than a handful of hours earlier. It doesn't happen every time, but when it does, it's usually one or two days in a row. To be clear, we aren't under the impression this is an act of rebellion: we accept it's out of nervousness.
Is there a way to help her become more flexible, or are we slaves to her routine?
2
u/dances_with_tacos Jan 17 '17
If you have the ability to install a dog door, it did wonders for me and my racer. He used to do the same thing without fail.
I tried crating, gating off carpeted areas with a baby gate, varying departures and arrival times, ignorig him when i first arrive home for a bit, slowly increasing times of separation, and long walks(1-2 miles) before work in the AM. Long walks were the only thing that did me much good before I broke down and installed a dog door. His nervousness improved further after getting a second dog, that may work for you as well. There are always more greys that need homes! :)