I'm looking for some advise.

Jackson is 9 months old.Lately, I've noticed he is very thirsty and will need to go out almost right after he drinks and then ususaly twice an hour. Maybe he's always been like this and I didn't notice before because we were outside so much in the summer. I have been on crutches for the last 2 weeks and probably for 2 more weeks.  So it's more difficult for me to let him out so often. Could it be a weak bladder, an attention thing or something else.  

Thanks for any thoughts on this subject.

Barb

everyone knows that Dogs like to urinate on things... How much is he urinating when he goes? And if you dont let him outside, does he have an accident inside? Another suggestion is liver or kidney problems. My suggestion would be to take him to a vet, if there is something wrong with him, you could catch it before it gets any worse, you may even save his life.

Update on Jackson?? How is he doing from the Vet visit??? Hope he is getting his pee problems cured!!

I brought in a urine sample yesterday. Getting one was fun NOT! The look on Jackson's face when he noticed me putting the container under him while he was going was priceless. I was glad that my neighbor wasn't walking his lab at the time.

Any way all the tests came back normal. I'm very happy with that, but on the other hand, the vet thinks it's a behavior issue and suggests limiting his water intake and trying to ignore him a bit when he rings the bell to go out. "Time for some tough love" is what she said. I do admit that he is very spoiled (100% my fault). I know that I need to get some control back. I did take him to puppy classes and intended on getting him in to the next class, but the problems with my foot..... Once I'm all healed we will get into another class.  In the mean time any suggestions for an owner of a GSP on crutches???

Get rid of the bell.  She has figured out that she can ring and you jump.  Then what you need to do is make sure you let him out periodically, after he eats, after he has been playing and every hour or so. He should get the message.  I would be reluctant to take away his water during the day, but certainly a couple of hours before he goes to bed would be ok. 

The other option is put him out and leave him for an hour or so, then let him in for a while to be with you and then back outside.  While you are laid up, shut him in the room with you.  I do this with my pup.  He is in my office with me and when he wants out he goes out for a while (an hour or so).  He only comes in when I want him in and then he is with me again.  So I control his life, he does not control mine (at least most of the time ).

So happy Jackson does not have a urine infection What I did when recovering from my hamstring sprain, was sit on a chase lounge on my deck and  chuck tennis balls to Rocky down in the yard. Rocky would then retrieve the tennis ball right back onto my lap on the deck. Another way to exercise a GSP is invite friends dogs to come over to play.Will be glad when you are off crutches and can get around again! It is so hard to be down and injured

Oh Marie

you are so cute...I can just SEE you on the chair with the Chukar.....and Rocky being sooooooooo gentlemanly...bringing the ball back....1/2 a note here....maybe the shorter Chukar would be benificial....LOL     in the lounging position...so you don't toss your back out...more

Barb you too....try the shorter Chukar.....

Renee'

Yes Bean I have tried a short chuckit on the lounge chair, but too much wrist action involved. And sometimes the ball rolls off my lap so I have to reach down with the long chuckit.  The short chuckit works real well when we have 2 or 3 year old neighbors come over for Rocky ball toss the short chuckit is no advantage for adults1