HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Aug 10, 2016 9:44:10 GMT -5
Carpenter. That's what you need! Stay away from General contractors or handy man. GC will overcharge you and the handy man will most likely screw everything up and leave you with a mess. How do I find a carpenter? Please teach me how to do things!!! I've been tempted to use taskrabbit but I have not yet done so.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Aug 10, 2016 9:52:31 GMT -5
For a second, I thought I wrote this thread in my sleep..... We dislike our house too. 1. Too big. Even when we looked at it 9 years ago, we made a comment that we didn't need 2600 sq. ft. 2. Dog. What the heck was I thinking getting a dog 3 years ago. I really like him, but he is so time consuming, messy, smelly, expensive. 3. Furniture. I had to buy slip covers a couple years ago because the furniture was looking bad. 18 years old. 4. Drive way is crumbling. $7k to replace - not happening in the next few years. 5. Basement. There are a few spots of mold and other things going on down there. We need to address this sooner than later, but again, $ is an issue. We need to DIY this and soon. 6. Flooring. Carpet needs replaced. We want hardwood flooring, but kitchen needs updated, fireplace needs work, etc.....it is a snowball of one project that leads into another project, so we do nothing because we don't have the $ to do it properly and completely. 7. I work part-time, so I do 100% of the work around the house. I work 25 hours a week, take kids to practice, mow, landscaping, walk dog, clean house, cook, grocery shop, etc. DH does NOTHING. He works 40-45 hours a week. I feel your pain. Houses are a drain - physically and monetarily. Working 40-45 hrs a week does not excuse anyone from housework IMO.
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milee
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Post by milee on Aug 10, 2016 10:02:41 GMT -5
For a second, I thought I wrote this thread in my sleep..... We dislike our house too. 1. Too big. Even when we looked at it 9 years ago, we made a comment that we didn't need 2600 sq. ft. 2. Dog. What the heck was I thinking getting a dog 3 years ago. I really like him, but he is so time consuming, messy, smelly, expensive. 3. Furniture. I had to buy slip covers a couple years ago because the furniture was looking bad. 18 years old. 4. Drive way is crumbling. $7k to replace - not happening in the next few years. 5. Basement. There are a few spots of mold and other things going on down there. We need to address this sooner than later, but again, $ is an issue. We need to DIY this and soon. 6. Flooring. Carpet needs replaced. We want hardwood flooring, but kitchen needs updated, fireplace needs work, etc.....it is a snowball of one project that leads into another project, so we do nothing because we don't have the $ to do it properly and completely. 7. I work part-time, so I do 100% of the work around the house. I work 25 hours a week, take kids to practice, mow, landscaping, walk dog, clean house, cook, grocery shop, etc. DH does NOTHING. He works 40-45 hours a week. I feel your pain. Houses are a drain - physically and monetarily. Working 40-45 hrs a week does not excuse anyone from housework IMO. Especially since all the stuff required to keep a house running - kids, cleaning, cooking, lawn, dog, etc - take a lot more than the 15-20 hours a week differential in your work schedules.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 10, 2016 10:47:48 GMT -5
Hiring a carpenter: Around here, tradespeople often put signs in the signs of the yards of the houses they are working on. When we started the search for a competent, reliable, contractor to finish the repairs on our house, we noticed that we kept seeing the same sign around town. It turns out it is a resident who grew up in the same town I did. I hired him to do a few small repairs when we moved out of our longest rental and he was so good and so reliable it was clear that "he's the one!!", LOL. The problem is, that he is so good and so reliable that he is in high demand. He MIGHT get to our job in September. When he does start, he will get coffee and lunch and every day and I'll swing by on Friday afternoons with pizza and beer and I will do ANYTHING else I need to to stay in his good graces. The owner of that last rental was certifiably nuts and treated her service people (and her husband and her tenants!) so badly that no one wanted to work for her a second time. I will never allow myself to become her, because, frankly, a good and reliable tradesperson is more dear to me than a good-accountant-poor-handyman-husband is. Needless to say, I wish I'd known about the new contractor when the tree fell... So, look around your town. Who are other people using? Which names do you see again and again? You can try asking neighbors/friends for recommendations, but around here, people don't share because the good contractors are so few and far between. Will someone in your town's building department tell you which tradespeople are applying frequently for permits? Finding somone to do small jobs is a crap shoot -- some tradespeople only want to do big jobs while others will squeeze small jobs in between the big jobs. So, package your work correctly: since it is so difficult to get competent tradespeople in, if there are legitimately some things that logically make sense to do at one time (I.e., replacing a threshold AND that new storm door you have been putting off), then strongly consider doing the combined job at once. Or, see if putting two small projects together will make it worth their while (i.e., replacing a threshold AND building a closet near the back door). Good luck for anyone on the search. @empressspunkles: I'll keep an ear out for someone near you. I *think* I know what town you live in. DH works in that general area. I'll have him ask his co-workers.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 13:24:26 GMT -5
We've been trying to get people to recommend someone but so far nothing. We need some old water damage/rot fixed around a kitchen door/sill and we have no clue who to call. Guess I'll check out HOUZZ. Do you think if I take pictures of what we need repaired and took it to the local lumber supply store, they'd give us some reputable names? WE NEED IT DONE!!!!!!!!!!! I want DH's handicap ramp put up but we can't do it until it's been repaired and he won't let me do it. All I need is some 2x4 (not Drama's-these would be clean), ice and water shield and some new shingles. I think it would be easy peasy but he's being a prick about it. I just don't want GRG's situation. That would be bad. Do you have a reliable plumber or electrician you've used who could recommend a carpenter they've worked with before? I asked the person who laid our hardwoods if he could recommend a painter he'd worked with before, and he gave me a name of a good company. A lot of times on big remodels the different contractors overlap so they get to know the quality companies from the fly by night guys. We have only used the plumber once, to replace a hot water heater 2 years ago. We are actually looking for an electrician as well to do some rewiring and replace a couple of fixtures. I'm getting awfully tired of a gaping hole in my kitchen wall. A BIL ran new wiring for our microwave 3 years ago but didn't finish a couple of things so my switch box is dangling away. Not a huge problem now as we can't use the door right now anyway but I would like it done in this lifetime. I do know the electricians they use on "This Old House" so I might call them.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Aug 10, 2016 14:14:40 GMT -5
Hah. Excellent suggestion. We've tried different things - but if the dogs are on the main level of the house they will bark at people walking to the park (I live right by a very busy park) and then my across-the-street neighbor calls the cops on me. In Missouri we had a doggie door and that actually worked really well. Sadly I'm afraid if my dogs barked during the day the cops would have to show up. :/ I could keep on the top floor, but then they'll be peeing in my bed. I actually DO have a dog walker come 2x a week. Our new puppy was a nusiance barker -til we got this www.amazon.com/PetSafe-PBC00-15266-Indoor-Bark-Control/dp/B00VPVJKMM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1470790565&sr=8-7&keywords=electronic+bark+controlNo bark collar. When they bark, it emits a high pitch tone humans cant hear. But she could. Her ears would go back. Took about a couple of weeks. She rarely barks now. And I'd bite the bullet and have a dog walker come daily. I think I know what my next Amazon order will include..... I live on the only road into a large enough neighborhood behind my house, and there's a fair amount of walkers/runners/cyclists that pass by as well. my rescue pup will bark at anyone or anything he sees going by the house, down to a stray leaf blowing the wrong way. this then sets off my golden, and this week also the houseguest pittie that's with us.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on Aug 10, 2016 15:34:39 GMT -5
For furniture I love Pottery Barn slip covered couches. You can wash the covers in the washing machine, buy individual replacement cushions, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They come on sale pretty regularly. Under the couches we put discs for zap collars for the dogs. Eventually they learn to avoid the area unless you invite them in and then you can just take off the collar. Would this work with kids coming into our bedroom? J/K. And I know we could lock our door. But I'd hate to ask the kids to choose between knocking on the door to get us to wake up and puking in a toilet. All the kids are going through a weird sleep anomaly right now. To get back on track..I don't hate our house. But, I'm not proud of it, either. I've been pretty lax about the kids taking care of their stuff and contributing to the household. Much of it is me. Because, well, I've gotten lax, too. We'll get back at it once school starts. And, we have made some progress with decluttering. However, it's as effective as putting a bandaid on a gusher.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Aug 10, 2016 18:44:57 GMT -5
For furniture I love Pottery Barn slip covered couches. You can wash the covers in the washing machine, buy individual replacement cushions, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They come on sale pretty regularly. Under the couches we put discs for zap collars for the dogs. Eventually they learn to avoid the area unless you invite them in and then you can just take off the collar. Would this work with kids coming into our bedroom? J/K. And I know we could lock our door. But I'd hate to ask the kids to choose between knocking on the door to get us to wake up and puking in a toilet. All the kids are going through a weird sleep anomaly right now. To get back on track..I don't hate our house. But, I'm not proud of it, either. I've been pretty lax about the kids taking care of their stuff and contributing to the household. Much of it is me. Because, well, I've gotten lax, too. We'll get back at it once school starts. And, we have made some progress with decluttering. However, it's as effective as putting a bandaid on a gusher. Wouldn't you want them to puke in the toilet?
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justme
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Post by justme on Aug 10, 2016 21:40:08 GMT -5
Would this work with kids coming into our bedroom? J/K. And I know we could lock our door. But I'd hate to ask the kids to choose between knocking on the door to get us to wake up and puking in a toilet. All the kids are going through a weird sleep anomaly right now. To get back on track..I don't hate our house. But, I'm not proud of it, either. I've been pretty lax about the kids taking care of their stuff and contributing to the household. Much of it is me. Because, well, I've gotten lax, too. We'll get back at it once school starts. And, we have made some progress with decluttering. However, it's as effective as putting a bandaid on a gusher. Wouldn't you want them to puke in the toilet? I would think so! My bathroom was halfway to my parents room (smarties put their room on the opposite side of the house from the kids) so I'd try to yell mom as I ran to the toilet, often not getting to it until after the first go round. She usually heard me and was throwing on a robe of I couldn't yell for her first.
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ohmomto2boys
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Post by ohmomto2boys on Aug 11, 2016 6:34:20 GMT -5
I hear ya. But it isn't worth the battle. I get done, what I can. I lobby weekly for a smaller house because I can't keep up with everything myself. Some things just don't get done regularly.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Aug 11, 2016 6:39:19 GMT -5
Maybe the only bath where bedrooms are is a master bath?
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Aug 11, 2016 7:31:40 GMT -5
I hear ya. But it isn't worth the battle. I get done, what I can. I lobby weekly for a smaller house because I can't keep up with everything myself. Some things just don't get done regularly. Just tell yourself to hold out until the boys are at least off at college. Things will improve at that point.
I had one DS and while I managed to get him to keep the majority of his mess confined to his room, it was kind of amazing how much of an extra work load it was when he was living at home.
He never did chores around the house, which is my fault, but I grew up being a house maid for my mom and vowed whenever I had kids I wouldn't make them do the chores. I didn't, but that meant Dh and I did all the chores.
There seemed to be an exponential amount of dirty laundry generated by the DS, and the child could devastate a bathroom, so it took 2 or 3 times longer to clean up.
Now with just DH and I at home, and both of us being well broken into not leaving our dishes around the house, and putting our dirty clothes in the dirty clothes hamper, and not tracking mud throughout the house, I would guess the workload to keep the house clean and the laundry done was cut maybe in half. There are three rooms I don't have to clean that much at all anymore, because we seldom use them since DS moved out. Now if the cats moved out, I'd bet I could cut the cleaning time in half again.
I love DS to death, but he was a messy child. Ironically, now that he has his own home and his own furniture and he and his DW do their own housework, he has become tidy!! It's amazing! I guess since they are HIS now and not his PARENTS, he is suddenly motivated to keep things clean. Darn kid!
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Aug 11, 2016 7:51:23 GMT -5
I think this situation is utterly ridiculous. I have always enjoyed your posts and you come across as an extremely intelligent and accomplished woman. Both you and your husband have very high paying jobs that afford you to comfortably save for retirement and fund any extras or hobbies that you choose to pursue. So, why on earth are you living in a dirty, stinky house?
If you don't like the color of the walls or think the furniture is ugly but don't want to spend money to make the necessary changes, fair enough. The dirt and smell are different issues. The fact that you are financially able to deal with those problems without any real consequences to your budget because you prefer to be a 'miser' doesn't strike me as a healthy attitude.
In the OP you said that you smell like a dog. Perhaps, rather than focusing on all the things you hate about your home you could focus on why you continue to live in this situation.
Edit: Sorry if I sound like an asshole!
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Aug 11, 2016 8:03:09 GMT -5
I hear ya. But it isn't worth the battle. I get done, what I can. I lobby weekly for a smaller house because I can't keep up with everything myself. Some things just don't get done regularly. I don't understand why it isn't worth the fight or why people are okay with picking up 100% of the slack in their relationships. At least start a conversation!
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 11, 2016 8:11:11 GMT -5
DH and I regularly used to have these "discussions"
I just stopped discussing and hired a cleaning lady.
$70 every other week is a small price to pay to save our marriage. And it's cheaper than counseling.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Aug 11, 2016 8:15:52 GMT -5
But I hear you on hating a house.
We just renovated in 2007 and 2008 so it's pretty much new construction.
However, the driveway needs to be redone. The stairway to the basement (it was an outdoor stairway we moved and enclosed, long story) we had built in 2004 needs to be redone. They used pressure treated lumber instead of concrete. It's just bad.
The windows we put in in 2004 are crap. They need to be redone.
The dock project. Enough said.
We planned on doing a ventless gas fireplace with bookshelves around it, that project hasn't gotten done yet.
The house needs to be repainted. The carpeting needs to be replaced.
My home office has become a catch all room. It's packed, dark, cramped, and a mess. I clean it, and it goes right back to the way it was.
First world problems, I know.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Aug 11, 2016 8:16:11 GMT -5
So I hate to mention it again but sounds like another case of dirty dog butts rubbing on the couch ...
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Aug 11, 2016 9:33:19 GMT -5
I understand that people love their pets and want them to be happy and cared for. The fact remains that if you live in a house that stinks of pet urine, it is an unhealthy environment for both the dogs and the people.
I would encourage you to try to crate the dogs or limit their movement in the house while you are away.
Start ripping out the carpet one room at a time. You are going to need to paint the subfloor with primer anyway to remove the smell.
Often times people want to wait for their pet to pass on before they make any changes or improvements. The flip side of that statement is that the pets get to do whatever they want because they have already ruined the rugs and furniture. This is not the fault of the pets, rather a lack of training or discipline on the part of the owner.
Pets are a lot of work and humans can fall behind in their training and care. It happens. The OP can make her life better by making some changes that will benefit both the pets and the humans. Old dogs can learn new rules.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Aug 11, 2016 9:56:52 GMT -5
I think this situation is utterly ridiculous. I have always enjoyed your posts and you come across as an extremely intelligent and accomplished woman. Both you and your husband have very high paying jobs that afford you to comfortably save for retirement and fund any extras or hobbies that you choose to pursue. So, why on earth are you living in a dirty, stinky house?
If you don't like the color of the walls or think the furniture is ugly but don't want to spend money to make the necessary changes, fair enough. The dirt and smell are different issues. The fact that you are financially able to deal with those problems without any real consequences to your budget because you prefer to be a 'miser' doesn't strike me as a healthy attitude.
In the OP you said that you smell like a dog. Perhaps, rather than focusing on all the things you hate about your home you could focus on why you continue to live in this situation.
Edit: Sorry if I sound like an asshole! Well it's ok, you can give tough love. And you're absolutely right, I have no argument with anything you posted. Regarding the dogs- I mean -- it's not that my house isn't clean. It is, we clean it up. There's no piles of 'dirt'. We are not slobs. But once a dog pees on a carpet really it never ever smells clean again. And I have 3 dogs, and one is elderly, so you get the idea. The carpet is NOT clean. I could replace it, but it would just get peed on again. I am just in a waiting game until the 2 troublesome dogs are gone. Then I will replace the carpet and start having my house not stink to high heaven again. And anyone who lives in a house with 3 dogs and says their house doesn't smell like dogs is kidding themselves. At least I am a realist and know I live in a 'dog house.' That was my choice and I'd do it again. But in the meanwhile, yes I am frustrated. And in my defense, I admitted I was being ridiculous. We do have lots of dog hair but the roomba does a pretty good job most of the time of cleaning that up. But dog hair is still smelly. I did find a woman on Facebook who cleans houses for $20 an hour, so she is coming for 3 hours today (and hopefully every week). So maybe that will free up a little of my time to hit the ugly wall color...
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Aug 11, 2016 10:03:37 GMT -5
I understand that people love their pets and want them to be happy and cared for. The fact remains that if you live in a house that stinks of pet urine, it is an unhealthy environment for both the dogs and the people. I would encourage you to try to crate the dogs or limit their movement in the house while you are away. Start ripping out the carpet one room at a time. You are going to need to paint the subfloor with primer anyway to remove the smell. Often times people want to wait for their pet to pass on before they make any changes or improvements. The flip side of that statement is that the pets get to do whatever they want because they have already ruined the rugs and furniture. This is not the fault of the pets, rather a lack of training or discipline on the part of the owner. Pets are a lot of work and humans can fall behind in their training and care. It happens. The OP can make her life better by making some changes that will benefit both the pets and the humans. Old dogs can learn new rules. To some extent I agree, and to others I don't. Seriously, my 17 year old chihuahua can't see, can't hear, and doesn't have any teeth left. Luckily he can't make it down the stairs to the carpet! But we carry him out to do his business outside and sometimes he does it and sometimes he doesn't. He literally can't tell the difference between where to potty and not. I don't even think his poop shoot has an on/off switch any more. He's like a cow and just where he's standing PLOP! The bigger dog - I don't really know what her issue is. She is extremely intelligent and well trained. She actually was so well potty trained as a pup she would be on command. She used to be kennel trained when she was little, too. We lived in Missouri for quite awhile where she had a doggie door and could go in and out as she pleased. The problem with her is her barking if we don't keep her downstairs. We started trying to kennel her again (treats, safe happy place, etc). And she would still pee in her kennel. And chew on the bars. We actually pointed our kid's crib-cam on her and watched her go ballistic. Some how she is now nervous and unhappy and crazy in a kennel - at times. I wish I could fix it. She is 12 years old. I think she gets spooked easily (mail delivery, amazon, etc.) and it drives her nuts and she can't deal. If she were 2 I'd probably get her some doggie shrink and training. But she's 12 and on some medications as is. I could do more. I tried keeping her in a bathroom. I'm honestly out of ideas. Dog #3 actually loves his crates and stays in there happily during the day. Even if I had a dog walker come every day there are still going to be 'accidents.'
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Aug 11, 2016 10:09:31 GMT -5
HoneyBBQ - thanks for the gracious response. Good luck!
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Aug 11, 2016 10:15:53 GMT -5
honeybbq, Are there any areas upstairs where they could be safely restricted to with a babygate? Before our pup was relaibly house trained, when we wanted to leave her, we'dput a babygate up limiting her to the kitchen/laundry area. We'd put down pee pads, water & toys...
Dog #3 can be crated; Chihuahua is small and doesn't need a lot of space (and if vision is limited probably is better off confined to a smaller area).
Have you considered doggie daycare for dog#2?
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Aug 11, 2016 10:53:38 GMT -5
honeybbq, Are there any areas upstairs where they could be safely restricted to with a babygate? Before our pup was relaibly house trained, when we wanted to leave her, we'dput a babygate up limiting her to the kitchen/laundry area. We'd put down pee pads, water & toys... Dog #3 can be crated; Chihuahua is small and doesn't need a lot of space (and if vision is limited probably is better off confined to a smaller area). Have you considered doggie daycare for dog#2? Dogs 1 and 3 are crated daily. Dog 2 .... she used to do doggie day care when she was a young and energetic thing. Haven't done it for years though. Doggie day care rates are like 40- 50 bucks a day here. I could probably find something 1-2x a week. Argh. It's a good idea. The only place I could think of would be the laundry room. But it's pretty small. It might work though I think she would hate it. The kitchen is an open area and couldn't really be partitioned off. At this point mentally the basement is sort of a lost cause for us...
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Aug 11, 2016 12:33:37 GMT -5
honeybbq, Are there any areas upstairs where they could be safely restricted to with a babygate? Before our pup was relaibly house trained, when we wanted to leave her, we'dput a babygate up limiting her to the kitchen/laundry area. We'd put down pee pads, water & toys... Dog #3 can be crated; Chihuahua is small and doesn't need a lot of space (and if vision is limited probably is better off confined to a smaller area). Have you considered doggie daycare for dog#2? Dogs 1 and 3 are crated daily. Dog 2 .... she used to do doggie day care when she was a young and energetic thing. Haven't done it for years though. Doggie day care rates are like 40- 50 bucks a day here. I could probably find something 1-2x a week. Argh. It's a good idea. The only place I could think of would be the laundry room. But it's pretty small. It might work though I think she would hate it. The kitchen is an open area and couldn't really be partitioned off. At this point mentally the basement is sort of a lost cause for us... Hmmmm, it sounds like Dog#2 is the main issue.... Maybe doggie daycare 2xweek & confined to a safe area the other 3? Oerhaps with a dog walker to come walk her during the day? If the dog issue could be mostly resolved, you could then deal with the major issues bugging you
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Aug 11, 2016 12:39:12 GMT -5
You could put linoleum in the basement for now, and when the problem dog(s) are gone, put carpet back in. I tell ya, this thread has me not wanting to get another dog, although DH and the kids want one.
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t-dog
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Post by t-dog on Aug 11, 2016 16:02:12 GMT -5
This thread is only reinforcing my notion that cats rule and dogs, well...stink Not necessarily.
My calico is getting elderly and has decided she dare not pee in the litter boxes. I have 3 cats and provide 3 pans and clean them regularly. The other two cats are fine with them. The calico used to be fine with them.
Then she started peeing on the area rug - area rug went. Then she started peeing on the littler mats, so those went and we're down to hardwoods. Then I caught her PISSING IN THE HVAC FLOOR VENTS.
Yes, you read that right. Something about that nice cool air on her backside I guess.
So - now we have an empty litter pan in the dining room with a puppy pee pad in it. She will condescend to pee on the puppy pee pad, but only once - I have to switch them out as soon as she pees in it, because she won't pee on one twice.
So - our old Beagle was sticky and did love to roll in smelly stuff, but at least she peed in the yard.
Have you tried the Cat Attract litter? My cat suddenly started avoiding the litter box but went right back to it when I started using that litter. Not a miss since the day the Cat Attract litter came into the house!
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Aug 11, 2016 17:32:43 GMT -5
You could put linoleum in the basement for now, and when the problem dog(s) are gone, put carpet back in. I tell ya, this thread has me not wanting to get another dog, although DH and the kids want one. I like this idea. For me at least it's been hard to enjoy having pets when I am spending all of my free time trying to clean up after them (to live in a house that would never be called overly clean). My last house had all linoleum in the basement and the living areas weren't cold at all. The bathroom could be, and the cold air return was in the laundry room which could be very brisk come winter, but otherwise it was really a nice space.
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Spellbound454
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"In the end, we remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends"
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Post by Spellbound454 on Aug 11, 2016 18:19:23 GMT -5
Just what I was going to say.
I put lino down... and gated a designated area off when my pup was young and having accidents.
You have to live in your house and you can't live in dog pee. No wonder its getting you down.
I'd want rid of the carpet .... clean the whole area..... and start making arrangements to cope with incontinent dogs
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Aug 11, 2016 18:35:35 GMT -5
Just what I was going to say. I put lino down... and gated a designated area off when my pup was young and having accidents. You have to live in your house and you can't live in dog pee. No wonder its getting you down. I'd want rid of the carpet .... clean the whole area..... and start making arrangements to cope with incontinent dogs They have doggie diapers.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Aug 12, 2016 0:40:35 GMT -5
Honey the state of one's house definitely affects one's mood. There's no reason to live like that. Some thoughts: - Get rid of the basement carpet, ASAP. Replace it with either lino or tile (if you don't like lino). Add cheap rugs. - How did the cleaner work out? If it went well, consider taking her for a full day or two at first, to go through the entire house, and then 3h a week. - Take the time to organize shelving in the garage. Maybe have separate shelves for your stuff and your SO's stuff so you can find what you need. - Pay to have a painter repaint the yellow room(s) you use the most. Start w one room or area. You can always do more later. - Replace the furniture you hate one piece or room at a time. New furniture doesn't have to cost a fortune. I think once you even start making improvements, you will start to feel much happier. The irony is even if you decided to sell tomorrow, you'd have to do at least some of those things (replace basement carpet, clean, organize). Good luck!
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