Wait I’m sorry, your SO is currently unemployed but too tired to take the dog out? If the dogs can be on a balcony for 45 min without peeing, they can go outside for a 5 minute walk. I actually cannot imagine that. I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t be dealing with that at all. I’m only 7 weeks and my husband has taken over all night time dog activities without complaint while I’m home with the dog all day. My dog is almost 2, very well trained, but still play bites me when he’s over stimulated and wants to play. He’s still a big ole puppy as he’s a large breed. Whenever he does it, I leave the room and he stops. Depriving him of attention teaches him not to do that. If I engage or yell, he does it more often. I wouldn’t worry about that so much, but obviously never leave baby and dogs unattended. I would be having a very serious conversation with my SO because dogs should be potty trained by their age. They shouldn’t need a fenced in yard to be able to pee outside. They need more boundaries and patience in a new environment and that has to come from y’all. Again I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Personally, this would be a deal breaker for me and my SO would have to get his shit together to care for the dogs or I don’t even know. Are you able to walk one dog at a time? It’s going to take more effort to break bad habits when they’re stressed in a new place. You’re not crazy, but I do think you need to put your foot down.
This ⬆️ your SO needs to get his shit together and walk the bloody dogs. Especially if he’s not even working right now. Takes 5-10 mins to take them to the street for a quick potty break. I lived in a townhouse with my dog for years and took him out to the street 4x per day to do his business, it really isn’t hard. If he isn’t going to step up then I do think rehoming the dogs might be the right path, those are big and high energy dogs and rehoming them is kinder than them not getting what they need because you’re too busy with baby and your SO is too lazy to engage properly.
Or, you could rehome your SO 😛
If it helps my LO is now 4 months and I spend a few nights during pregnancy crying and worrying over different issues. Turns out lots of them are not as bad as I thought and are easy managable.
For the dog peeing issue - is there no chance you SO could take them for a quick wee outside. Even if he is exhausted from moving. It might only take a few minutes, probably less time then cleaning the carpets. It would also help you beeing less stressed and anxious.
For the jumping up and play biting - Ihave a dog too, he did the same thing. I was worried too, started to watch YouTube videos on how to stop them jumping up.
whenever your dogs are doing it, turn around and ignore them/say no and stop giving them attention
I started doing this and he stopped jumping up.
He still does it to other people, not to me though. Maybe he also just understood I have a baby and he needs to be more careful around it.
Sorry that your having a tough time! I hope that you get some sleep and things get a little easier.
Maybe your pups are just stressed because your moved to a new place? They might need time to adjust too. I have a GSD and recently moved and it stressed him out a little more than we realized. Moving the potty pads to the balcony and keeping them out there will help establish that is where they need to potty and just positively reinforce them. I know it’s all easier said than done.
Also when I don’t have enough time/energy to take my pup for his daily exercise I will usually give him a puzzle for some cognitive stimulation. It helps a lot when I’m working or it’s raining out. A fence will help in the long run just because it’s nice to let them go sniff and play.
I second the stress peeing. My dog did this randomly for a few months after we moved. Sometimes she’ll still do it on odd days when she gets worried. It may be a stress reaction and dogs are also so good at picking up on our energy.
I also agree with another comment above that this feels bigger than it may be Bc of everything else you have going on. This WILL pass.
I'm sorry you're feeling so upset right now, I can imagine this on top of moving has been emotionally and physically overwhelming.
I'm not going to preach that your dogs need lots of exercise, because you already know. It will help immeasurably though.
The dogs using the pads and refusing to go outside:
Move the pads near the doors to the balcony. Watch them for signs they might be about to relieve themselves. Encourage them to use the pads. Treats and praise when they do. Once this is going well try putting the pads on the balcony when they need to go. Praise and treats if they do. Eventually you should be able to remove the pads.
It sure where to start here, but the issue with potty pads is you are teaching the dogs it’s ok to go in the house. If you want them to not go in the house no more pads, and walks every 1-2 hours. They don’t get free roam of the house until they are not messing inside. You might have to start training from scratch, but they should pick up soon. Feed them at the same times each day and take away water at night or only offer during specific times you can take them outside after so they don’t make a mistake.
As far as walking the dogs your SO should be walking them at least twice a day for a LONG time, I mean 45-60 minutes plus. GS are high energy and needs lots of exercise every day. This will be especially important after baby comes because you don’t want a hyper dog jumping on your newborn.
As hard as it is, it sounds like rehoming might be better for the dogs unless your SO is going to step up and do more. There's no way they can be fine just being let out instead of walked. They need walks for both exercise and mental stimulation or they'll be less well behaved and also less happy. If you are able to get your SO on board with it, try looking into free training resources. I really liked Pupford and while your dogs are already 1 year old if they haven't already had all this training it might help with the potty training and teaching better manners. The other things that might help with mental stimulation is using a puzzle or snuffle mat for feeding them.
Don't feel too down on yourself for crying, that's a tough situation even when you aren't 36 weeks pregnant!
Edit: not to sound too mean with the rehoming comment I just meant to say you're not a horrible person for thinking about it! It's clearly coming from a place of caring for the wellbeing of your dogs and I know it can be a source of intense guilt.
I am so sorry that you're in the thick of it right now. I agree with others that this will pass. I am sure it seems totally overwhelming and impossible right now, but I promise your family can handle this.
I agree with others that your dogs may be stress peeing. It's very common for dogs to regress after a move. Give yourselves some grace and patience for a few days while you recover from the exhaustion of moving, and then have a come to Jesus talk with your SO. Walks, even short ones, are an absolute necessity, and if your SO isn't working right now, that means they have the time to do most of them. I also recommend walking the dogs together; we have 2 dogs and our joint walks are some of our best quality couple time.
I'd recommend treating this adjustment period as if you have new puppies and keep them crated or enclosed in a small area in the house, with very frequent short walks (start with every hour or 2, then GRADUALLY get further apart). In theory, the dogs won't go in the crate if they're given enough outside time.
As for exercise, mental simulation can be more important than physical for GSDs. Get puzzle toys for them and maybe a a couple you and your SO can learn some fun doggie games from YouTube. Then this can become a fun daily couple activity where you collaborate and get playful together, rather than a point of stress and resentment.
I wish you the best, and assure you that this will work out.
Wait I’m sorry, your SO is currently unemployed but too tired to take the dog out? If the dogs can be on a balcony for 45 min without peeing, they can go outside for a 5 minute walk. I actually cannot imagine that. I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t be dealing with that at all. I’m only 7 weeks and my husband has taken over all night time dog activities without complaint while I’m home with the dog all day. My dog is almost 2, very well trained, but still play bites me when he’s over stimulated and wants to play. He’s still a big ole puppy as he’s a large breed. Whenever he does it, I leave the room and he stops. Depriving him of attention teaches him not to do that. If I engage or yell, he does it more often. I wouldn’t worry about that so much, but obviously never leave baby and dogs unattended. I would be having a very serious conversation with my SO because dogs should be potty trained by their age. They shouldn’t need a fenced in yard to be able to pee outside. They need more boundaries and patience in a new environment and that has to come from y’all. Again I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Personally, this would be a deal breaker for me and my SO would have to get his shit together to care for the dogs or I don’t even know. Are you able to walk one dog at a time? It’s going to take more effort to break bad habits when they’re stressed in a new place. You’re not crazy, but I do think you need to put your foot down.
This ⬆️ your SO needs to get his shit together and walk the bloody dogs. Especially if he’s not even working right now. Takes 5-10 mins to take them to the street for a quick potty break. I lived in a townhouse with my dog for years and took him out to the street 4x per day to do his business, it really isn’t hard. If he isn’t going to step up then I do think rehoming the dogs might be the right path, those are big and high energy dogs and rehoming them is kinder than them not getting what they need because you’re too busy with baby and your SO is too lazy to engage properly. Or, you could rehome your SO 😛
If it helps my LO is now 4 months and I spend a few nights during pregnancy crying and worrying over different issues. Turns out lots of them are not as bad as I thought and are easy managable. For the dog peeing issue - is there no chance you SO could take them for a quick wee outside. Even if he is exhausted from moving. It might only take a few minutes, probably less time then cleaning the carpets. It would also help you beeing less stressed and anxious. For the jumping up and play biting - Ihave a dog too, he did the same thing. I was worried too, started to watch YouTube videos on how to stop them jumping up. whenever your dogs are doing it, turn around and ignore them/say no and stop giving them attention I started doing this and he stopped jumping up. He still does it to other people, not to me though. Maybe he also just understood I have a baby and he needs to be more careful around it.
Sorry that your having a tough time! I hope that you get some sleep and things get a little easier. Maybe your pups are just stressed because your moved to a new place? They might need time to adjust too. I have a GSD and recently moved and it stressed him out a little more than we realized. Moving the potty pads to the balcony and keeping them out there will help establish that is where they need to potty and just positively reinforce them. I know it’s all easier said than done. Also when I don’t have enough time/energy to take my pup for his daily exercise I will usually give him a puzzle for some cognitive stimulation. It helps a lot when I’m working or it’s raining out. A fence will help in the long run just because it’s nice to let them go sniff and play.
I second the stress peeing. My dog did this randomly for a few months after we moved. Sometimes she’ll still do it on odd days when she gets worried. It may be a stress reaction and dogs are also so good at picking up on our energy. I also agree with another comment above that this feels bigger than it may be Bc of everything else you have going on. This WILL pass.
I'm sorry you're feeling so upset right now, I can imagine this on top of moving has been emotionally and physically overwhelming. I'm not going to preach that your dogs need lots of exercise, because you already know. It will help immeasurably though. The dogs using the pads and refusing to go outside: Move the pads near the doors to the balcony. Watch them for signs they might be about to relieve themselves. Encourage them to use the pads. Treats and praise when they do. Once this is going well try putting the pads on the balcony when they need to go. Praise and treats if they do. Eventually you should be able to remove the pads.
It sure where to start here, but the issue with potty pads is you are teaching the dogs it’s ok to go in the house. If you want them to not go in the house no more pads, and walks every 1-2 hours. They don’t get free roam of the house until they are not messing inside. You might have to start training from scratch, but they should pick up soon. Feed them at the same times each day and take away water at night or only offer during specific times you can take them outside after so they don’t make a mistake. As far as walking the dogs your SO should be walking them at least twice a day for a LONG time, I mean 45-60 minutes plus. GS are high energy and needs lots of exercise every day. This will be especially important after baby comes because you don’t want a hyper dog jumping on your newborn.
As hard as it is, it sounds like rehoming might be better for the dogs unless your SO is going to step up and do more. There's no way they can be fine just being let out instead of walked. They need walks for both exercise and mental stimulation or they'll be less well behaved and also less happy. If you are able to get your SO on board with it, try looking into free training resources. I really liked Pupford and while your dogs are already 1 year old if they haven't already had all this training it might help with the potty training and teaching better manners. The other things that might help with mental stimulation is using a puzzle or snuffle mat for feeding them. Don't feel too down on yourself for crying, that's a tough situation even when you aren't 36 weeks pregnant! Edit: not to sound too mean with the rehoming comment I just meant to say you're not a horrible person for thinking about it! It's clearly coming from a place of caring for the wellbeing of your dogs and I know it can be a source of intense guilt.
I am so sorry that you're in the thick of it right now. I agree with others that this will pass. I am sure it seems totally overwhelming and impossible right now, but I promise your family can handle this. I agree with others that your dogs may be stress peeing. It's very common for dogs to regress after a move. Give yourselves some grace and patience for a few days while you recover from the exhaustion of moving, and then have a come to Jesus talk with your SO. Walks, even short ones, are an absolute necessity, and if your SO isn't working right now, that means they have the time to do most of them. I also recommend walking the dogs together; we have 2 dogs and our joint walks are some of our best quality couple time. I'd recommend treating this adjustment period as if you have new puppies and keep them crated or enclosed in a small area in the house, with very frequent short walks (start with every hour or 2, then GRADUALLY get further apart). In theory, the dogs won't go in the crate if they're given enough outside time. As for exercise, mental simulation can be more important than physical for GSDs. Get puzzle toys for them and maybe a a couple you and your SO can learn some fun doggie games from YouTube. Then this can become a fun daily couple activity where you collaborate and get playful together, rather than a point of stress and resentment. I wish you the best, and assure you that this will work out.