[Tessied]

I must be missing an obvious solution

We have four large dogs (Collie Rough) and I would prefer them to sleep inside at night as one is a barker. However one of them who is now 10 and deaf as a post, is a really big pain at night when left to his own devices. He will open fridges, cupboards, doors etc and find food, or he will poo if he feels like it. He will automatically poo in a crate so that is out too!

So I have been letting two in, and leaving the other two outside so that the 10 year old isn't alone.

The house can't be blocked off with gates or anything, just isn't possible, so any ideas? They all used to sleep inside but since he's become old and just not trustworthy inside, it's been a bit confusing.

[Shhhh]

Could you put dogs on a lead and tie it under a chair? I did this for a short while with a dog bed and now they come inside and right to their bed unless called over

[Tessied]

Nah, he will just walk around with the chair attached to him. Seriously, heh. He is like a bull in a china shop now that he's deaf, just walks around doing what he wants!

I can't even lock him in the laundry area as he can open the door (sliding door).

[Jenflea]

can you stick a wedge in the laundry door? A rubber wedge used to work for our dog. baby gate on the laundry area?

[HerringToMarmala...]

We attached latches to our sliding doors to stop out dog opening them. Its very easy to do, we've got one where you swing the hook bit into a hole thing attached to the door.

[Therese]

I am sorry but I did giggle at him opening fridges and walking around with a chair attached to him. I know it would be very annoying but it is sort of cute

He's very determined.

[Tessied]

Hmm a latch might be the idea...the laundry area is huge as it's open plan with a hallway etc so it's more than big enough for him overnight and a latch will be big enough to let the cat slip through there too.

Therese - you have to love him, he's just a food obsessed dog. He recently cost us 3k in vet bills (3k we don't have!) because he decided it was a good idea to swallow a turkey wing whole. A week later in intensive care...

[Therese]

Oh dear...I'm glad he's ok but that is one hell of a bill.

[*Spikey*]

Yes - see the crate training thread at the top of the Pet Section.

Happy indoor dogs, who can't wander through the house all night long...

And yes, you can introduce crates at any point in a dog's life.

[Tessied]

I already mentioned he will poo in the crate, without fail, each time. We tried feeding him in the morning etc etc, nope...sees a crate, poos.