My Rottie's Toilet Habits

[welshfox]

This is going to sound strange, but please bear with me. I got a Rottweiler a few months ago from the Dogs Trust (my 3rd rottie) and she is great - well trained and mostly well behaved. The only thing that concerns me, is that she doesn't have a wee very often. Sometimes she goes 24 hours without going and then wont stop. I'm really worried that it's going to some internal damage if she keeps holding it in.

Apparently, where she was housed before, she was in a flat and wasnt let out very often, so Im assuming that she's used to holding it in, but Ive tried and tried for months to find ways of getting her to go more often but with no luck.
When we go for walks she will go properly and scent a lot and so I'm not so worried then, but when the weather is horrendous, I havent been able to take her out as often as normal as she's got a bit of a cold at the mo - plus she's reluctant to go into the garden in the rain!
Has anyone got any suggestions on how I can get her to wee more often please? She drinks and eats well and is otherwise in great health - she'll be 2 in January. Thanks in advance x

[lankeela]

Sometimes dogs won't go other than on home territory, and I know dogs that will hold it from leaving home at 5 am for a show until they get back at midnight.

I would think it is the fact that she was not let out very often, and although she is used to holding it, it will not do her kidneys any good in the long run. When you next take her to your vet have a word and see if he can prescribe some dieuretics to encourage her to go. (He may say its not a problem, but just to be sure I'd ask).

It goes without saying that free access to water is crucial.
and you could even try feeding her a more liquidy food, (maybe a breakfast with a milky based cereal).

Good for you for having taken on one of these beautiful dogs. There are so many in rescue at present because of the media hype about the breed.

[welshfox]

Thanks for that - I'm glad she's not the only dog that does it. She used to have her food soaked in water to make it easier to eat, but now she turns her nose up at it like that, but i'll try again. She has plenty of fresh water around - even if to my annoyance she chooses to drink from the bucket outside that catches the rain water! I'll have a chat to the vet next time I go and see whats said about it - thanks for your help.
And for all you out there who think all rotties are nasty - mine cant read so she doesnt know she's supposed to be! Its the owners that make them how they are so should only blame themselves!

[Gavin Dunt]

http://www.lost.eu/87ef

[kazxe]

if u leave her a big bucket of water so that she can drink whenever she likes, she will drink more and probably wee a bit more, it is also a good idea to add a capful of cider vinegar to this bucket of water - about once a week - this helps keep their insides in good working order - she wont even notice it in the water

[welshfox]

Thanks - Have never heard of that but will try it - just hope the insects outside dont take a shine to it too!x

[Nemarino]

I have a rescue springer who will not pee in the garden. I have to walk him first thing in the mornign regardless of eather, and then durign the day. At night he gets let out in to my parkign space, behind my garden - where, for some reason best known to himsefl, he is quite content to pee!

My other rescue dog has no problem peeing anywhere - but much prefers rain water to tap water - I always have a pot outside to catch it.

Good luck with her!

[Kimmiebear]

Bear with me through this post; It is possible that she was "trained" not to go wee in the previous owners yard, purposely or accidently. Some houseing developments ask that your dog only go in a specific spot, or the owners might have not reinforced that she go out in the garden. You can train her to go out there; whenever she does make sure that you have treats and you make her feel like the smartest dog in the world for weeing in the yard. Make sure they are treats that she really wants and so eventually when you let her out she will throw you behaviours like sit, and if that doesn't work she will try other things. Make sure you treat her when she goes every time until she goes more frequently.
If she really likes being in the yard, then make sure that she can muck about a bit before you bring her in, otherwise the dog thinks "hmmm i like it out here but whenever i wee, Mum brings me back in. I am going to hold it and play a bit longer"
You could also add a urination cue. My cocker used to wee whenever we said " be a good girl!" My dogs now go when you say "peepee on the grass" If she only goes once a day that could be tricky, but worth a try.
She should go about every 8 hours, so 3 times a day ideally. I would caution against forceing more water in at the start if this is a behaviour issue. You are certain that there is no undiscovered toilet in your house? Just make sure that there is water available for her at all times. Good luck.