Advice Needed

My 2 year old dog who has successfully been trained not to go in the house for since she was 4-ish months old has taken to peeing on the floor anytime we leave her home alone (be it for 5 mins or for a few hrs). She is definitely doing it out of spite as she always goes right in front of her bed and pees in the same spot. It is driving us insane. The dog walker comes in the mid afternoon (we live in the city, so no yard,etc) and says she hasn't done it by then, but inevitably by the time one of us gets home from work it is there. We feel like we have tried everything scolding/praising, we have tried to recrate her in her soft crate when we aren't home and she chewed her way out --- interesting since she is a tiny 8 lb dog -- any suggestions for our spiteful little pup?

Message edited 8/30/2007 10:46:29 AM.

Re: Advice Needed

I would begin by leaving a TV or talk radio on. Maybe if there is a human voice present, the pup will not feel so spiteful. Since it happens after your dog walker comes, ask them to turn on the TV before they take your dog for a walk, that way the TV is already on when they return.

Re: Advice Needed

Honestly I would put her in a real crate when you are not home. This may take a while for her to forget the behavior.

Our dog was adopted and housebroken when we got him. He was fine for a year and then he would pee in the living room in the middle of the night. We cleaned the spot really well but he still did it.

We started crating him and then let him out after a month he STILL did it.

So we started sleeping with the bedroom door closed and he was loose and fine never peed.

We let him out about 2 months later he still did it.

We kept the door close for a good 8 months. NOW finally we can leave the door open and he has finally forgotten the behavior.

So be warned it may take a while before she can be trusted again.

Re: Advice Needed

I agree with the other post - right now you need to manage the situation and put her in a crate she can't chew through. They tend not to pee in their crates since they are considered their "den"

I would make sure you clean that spot with an enzyme cleaner - look for some nature's miracle or pet-specific cleaner. dog's urine leaves an enzyme that is attractive to the dog and basically encourages the dog to go in the same spot.

I'm not sure that dogs are spiteful, but I think your dog probably has some separation anxiety issues. I would consult with a trainer on what to do to alleviate that. If you need to consult one, I know of an excellent trainer! I can FM you his info if you're interested