[pianotech] Grand piano and dog

[William Monroe]

Finally!  Thanks Michael!

I don't have a problem treating your dog like a human or any other animal 
for that matter.  Would you let your friends (human) pee on your piano leg?? 
Come on!!

It IS a dog problem.  As Michael said, consult a dog trainer and start 
disciplining the dog.  Puhleeeeze!  Even old dogs can be made to stop 
impermissable behaviour.  Sounds like good advice with the electric fence 
under the floor, or the electric mat, etc.  The piano is fine.  Fix the dog.

William R. Monroe



Michael Spalding wrote:
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