OK, I got suckered in and got this free puppy from Freecycle. She's a 6 month old lab. Came with everything (crate, etc). When I went to 'meet' her, I asked the people why they were giving her up, and got the 'story' that they were moving an could not take her to a new apt. Seemed reasonable. Now, I think (after I've spent $200 in vet and PetSmart) that the reason they were giving her up is she refuses to go potty outside. This is a 46 lb dog, so you know what that translates to. This morning, I took her out of her crate and immediately took her outside...nothing for 30 minutes. I re-crated her, fed my kids breakfast, took my son to school, then came home and took her for a 2 mile walk...nothing. This has been going on for 5 days now. I know if I uncrate her now, she will do what she's been doing - run right to the door of my bedroom and pee and poop there (her favorite spot). They did tell me they rescued her from a family member who let her do that in the house, but they didn't. However they had a fenced in yard, which I don't. So, somewhere in the mix I have to re-train her how to go outside on a leash. I know about providing rewards (food/praise) after she's done it, but she's not done it yet!!! I did mention it to the vet (Dr. B) and she said it's probably stress - and it will be more stressful if she continues to do it in the house!!! I'm also on the spot because I got the dog kinda without my husband's input ... so you know it won't be cool for him to come home to a dog with this type of problem! Help! Please! Also, I need info on the following: - Her crate is too small. Where can I get a free larger crate? - Where is the cheapest place to get her spayed? When I took her to Cleveland School Vet yesterday, they gave her all her shots, but also quoted me 2 prices on spay...one is around $150, and the other is over $400 (new technology). Help! Please PM me if you'd like.
I used to go to Cleveland School and while Dr. B. is wonderful, they also told me the $400 thing. My vet now says that that laser surgery is not necessary, that it is not that less invasive(as it was described). I go to Ansede Animal hospital and they are very reasonable in prices. That said, I have heard good things about the Mobile Spay and Neuter which I think is around $100 and they have other services provided at a vastly reduced rate if you do them at the time of the surgery. I have also read on Craig's List that Vets for Pets in Dunn is so reasonable that it is worth the drive. I am sure that you will get a lot of other good info from people on here.
I want to add that I am not knocking Cleveland School Animal hospital at all, they are great but I was starting to feel like a bad pet owner if I didn't do the $400 surgery.
I second Vets for Pets for spaying. You can even call them and ask about prices - they'll be very up front with you. Number is 910-892-3450.
Our new puppy is going to Mobile Spay and nueter next week for her shots. They quoted me around $50 for all of her shots and the visit. I have used them before for my older dog, and they are great.
First - although its not working easily, thanks for adopting! For spay, go to one of the mobile spay & neuter - POPS or SNAP are both great. POPS will take a voucher from SPCA where the spay will only cost 76.00 (other items you have done will add cost). For potty training issues... crating is great and on the right path. Some of it may be stress related as vet stated. Also, whenever you are at home and letting her out of the crate, leash her to you instead of giving her free roam of inside. while tethered to you, when you see her looking like she's thinking of business, take her out. Not sure if you're staying out with her but do for some time - just to be sure she's doing her business before coming back in. And when she does outside business, Praise the heck outa it and make it a real big deal for her. A good website is www.k9deb.com/nilif.htm -- its called Nothing In Life is Free and has a bunch of different links on it that are great assistants on breaking issues. As for her business she's done inside, next time you are out at Petsmart/Petco, get Natures Miracle (carpet cleaner) and clean the area she's been REAL good so the scent goes away (she's smelling where she's done it at and re-using). Some ppl even take the potty mess outside in an area and leave it there so she'll smell it outside and (hopefully) use it there. Good luck
I did that one for my female cat that was preggo a couple of years ago and the only reason I did it was cause I needed her to be able to feed the kittens that lived and only one did, but I only had to feed it for 2 days till she was up to Par, now I don't know if this made a differance or not..but it seemed that way at the time. My regular vet is Old Stage on 210 and my parents use them as well, they have no office fee's..and they are great in their prices. Sheri
Update - We've had a wonderfully successful day of no accidents!. She's either been outside with me and the kids, or on a leash in the house. Yeah!
