Black Lab X with incontinence problems.?

I have a 9 year old black lab cross that has lost the ability to know when to go outside to poo. She starts going to the door but has dumped all over the floor before reaching the door. She realizes she has done something wrong and walks around with her head and tail down afterwards. She never has accidents with urinating. The vet has checked her sphincter muscles and says they're fine. Has anyone else had this problem with their pet? Any ideas? Does she need pet pampers?(if there is such a thing)

Odd that the vet checked her out and didn't give you some advise or tips for 'serior' life. Just to check in, are the bowels 'normal'? I ask because there are many reasons for this loss of control from infection, swelling/irritation to tumors to old age.

The best thing to do is to take her out on a regular basis. If you've had her for 9 years then you probably know when she goes out. Otherwise, keep a log and then take her out at those time.

My old dog needed to go out about 30 minutes after meals, in the morning, in the evening and once at night. You could start with that schedule and see if that makes you and her feel better. For me it was difficult to get my dog to get up and go out as he aged.

If you feed her freestyle, you'll need to change to scheduled meals so that you can help her with control to feel better and be happy.

If it is bowels, you don't want to use a diaper; that would be a mess and then you'd have to give her a bath all the time. They do have a diaper for urine.

I've recently heard of some exercises you can do with your dog to help the issue, you may want to look at that as well if you are looking for something like that.

I still go back to the vet... not following through with the issue with you and at minimum teach you what to do to keep your dog happy; I'd get another vet!

If your vet did not find any medical issues, my best guess is she is suffering from a little dementia.

There are diapers for dogs, however, your best bet is to start a journal of when she messes in the house (what time, how long after eating, etc.). That way you can try to get her out sooner, feed her earlier/later, etc. I would try to get on top of the problem before you start diapering her.

Good luck...

you can buy 'dog pants' from pet shops etc - may geta bit messy though,

try offering her more carbohydrates in her food, pasta potato to bulk her poo up a bit and let her out more often, even of she dosent need to go.

you may find where she is aging she wants to go out in the cold less and just waits until she cant hold on anymore

good luck!

I think a lot of it is her age she is pretty old for a lab, I would maybe try to take her out more often then you usually do then she will get the chance to potty more which should help. She might be trying to hold it longer then what she can anymore. Good luck