[pianotech] Grand piano and dog

[Mike Spalding]

Christina,

First, this is a dog problem, not a piano problem.  She should be 
consulting a dog trainer.  Second, dogs decide where to urinate based on 
odor.  The old urine odor in the leg and floor are very hard to get rid 
of.  Odor-free to human standards will not be good enough.  The trainer, 
or a vet, may have some cleaning products that will work.  Third, some 
have suggested electric fence products, and that sounds like a good 
idea.  There is a plug-in floor mat that shocks the dog's feet; or a 
small battery powered  transmitter for the shock collar that covers a 
circle that's a little larger than a piano.  This is what we use to keep 
Ollie from digging up teh flower beds.   
http://www.innotek.net/store/index.php?cPath=16&osCsid=k2mqd7q04fi9ojk1o9m07belo4

Mike Spalding, RPT and guardian of several behaviorly challenged dogs

Christina Sebelius wrote:
> A customer has a problem with her male dog lifting his leg on the 
> grand leg of the piano. She has tried scolding the dog and squirting 
> his face with a special perfume to deter him but she has not been able 
> to change the dog's behavior. The dog is 11 years old and this has 
> been going on for several yeras. She has diaper pads next to the piano 
> leg to protect the floor. Moving the piano to another location in the 
> living room is not an option. The previous residents had cats and the 
> customer thinks the cats used the same area as a litter box -- maybe 
> the dog is attracted by lingering odors.
>
> I suggested wrapping the legs in plastic wrap or cellophane, but the 
> result would be a puddle next to the leg. Blocking the dog from the 
> living room would be difficult. She told me she walks the dog several 
> times a day.  Moving the piano to another location in the living room 
> is not possible.  
>
> Are there any suggestions? Thank you! 
>
> Sincerely, 
>
> Christina Sebelius 
>
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