widdling dog

[mrs.pudding]

She is 18months old and supposedly house-trained.  She knows perfectly well that she's meant to go outside!  BUT - she is dreadful at giving us the signal when she wants to go.  Sometimes, even if the back door is open, she will widdle just inside it.  And if I leave the door to the stairs open, she shoots up to our bedroom and leaves an offering (of whichever sort she feels like) on our floor, even if she has just come back from a walk!  Feel this is psychological!  Otherwise, she is a really cheerful, happy little dog who shares the house with two others and three cats - plus ourselves of course; but we are probably bottom of the pecking order!  Any help or ideas appreciated.  Thanks

[FP]

I don't know if this helps at all mrs.pudding:  The vet told me that bitches often have quite a lot of problems with controlling their bladder until they are well over a year.  Mine little dog still wees. when she is excited or if she gets told off!   It took her about 18 months to be able to hold on long enough to go outside on many occasions. 

 

What we put up with from our animals eh,  (I have two dogs and three cats!) 

[jenky]

You could be unknowingly involved in some doggy game. This age for dogs is around the equivalent of the rebellious teen in human terms and she may be asserting herself. The fact that she goes where you sleep is quite a statement! You joke that you might be the bottom of the pecking order - make sure you are the top, and most dog problems sort themselves out.

[mrs.pudding]

Jenky - I think you are probably right.  The only thing is, I haven't worked out the game plan!  She did it again today when I was in the room but with my back turned!  I waved the big stick and she scuttled outside with her tail between her legs but no doubt she'll sneak past me again.  Generally, they all know their place and I don't have any other behavioural problems with her - fine when we leave her, doesn't run away, friendly but not over the top.  Just this one thing.  Aaarrgh!

[montyy]

jenkys right.

btw my dog is female and she is 5 1/2 months and trained.

NB: ur dog is not trained yet!

[jenky]

I'd suggest changing things like eating times, make sure she eats after you're all done.

Put some restrictions on where she sleeps.

Make sure she doesn't have toys out all day long. You control when play time is - they are your toys, not hers.

Things like this aren't so much laying down the law but subtle signals a dog will respond to.

[mrs.pudding]

Jenky - honestly, we do more or less all that.  We aren't really last in the pack!  She gets walked with the others in the day, sleeps in the utility room, gets a good game with her ball after supper. During the day she's very settled - dozes all morning and most of the afternoon.  She usually goes all night without any accidents which makes me think it's not a matter of control, more her way of thumbing her nose at us!  Oh well, I'll plod on.  And my bedroom carpet must be the cleanest in the house now!  Thanks for your help.

[Ewood27]

Shut the bedroom door.  That's her target of first choice taken away.  You have to make it clear to her that she is NOT going to dictate things.  She will be quite happy to be a subordinate mamber of the family pack, provided she is told in dog terms that she is not the alpha animal.