We have two 3 year old Cocker Spaniels who are both fully house trained. We have a doggy door and the dogs are free to come and go as they need and want to.
A couple of months ago one or both of them started weeing inside at night time, while we are asleep. We can't think of any changes, they both sleep with us and always have, so we know it's not a separation issue as they are with us when they go to do it. Although on Sunday, I was out early in the morning while my husband was still in bed, I got home to find 5 wees inside - he said that they had been howling.
I have started taking them out to the back grass every night and at regular times to get them into that habit and reward them when they do the toilet. I have also limited their water at night. Last night I took them out at 8.30 and again at 9.30; at 6.30 am I came downstairs to 3 wees inside.
It's too hard to catch them in the act and correct them because we are asleep. I don't believe it's a medical issue, as they don't do it during the day when we are home or at work.
I have no idea what to do or how to break the habit, other than limiting their water at night, taking them out to wee and spraying the areas with spray that's supposed to stop marking. The thing is that it's more than marking, it's not small amounts.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
If there has not been any change, I would take them to a vet for a complete physical. You may have to crate them at night.
This just happened to my best friend who rescues dogs. His first thought was to retrain the dog but it turned out to be a urinary infection. I would go to the vet. Good luck!
Have you crate trained your dogs?
It may be territorial behavior if you have stray dogs in your area. Your dogs can hear and smell them from inside the house.
If there doesn't seemed to be anything odd with the urine itself or your dog in pain when peeing, you can try this. I tried it on my senior dog Pickles (RIP) and he learned right away actually. I was so proud of him. :) Get a large cookie pan (just enough edging to catch the urine) and place newspaper on it. At first a little bit of the newspaper with soaked up urine so it will encourage him. If he wants to go inside he can, and it is easy clean up !
It would be nice if you could set up a camera inside to watch where they are going at and see what leads up to it happening. If you have a doggie door, I wonder if another dog came in at night?
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
