Our Dog Won't Stop Peeing At Night

[surflou]

My dog Logan is having a few behaviour problems and it's getting to be a big problem so I really need some help.

We've had Logan 3 years and he is an exceptionally well behaved dog except for one thing, whenever we leave him in the kitchen at night to sleep when we go to bed he ALWAYS pees or poos on the floor without fail by the time we get up in the morning to let him out.

We've tried everything, from taking away his water and food after 6pm to taking him on 2 good walks a day.

He did used to sleep in our room with us and then my wife got pregnant, she then decided that for different reasons it would be better for Logan to sleep in the kitchen. We bought him a nice bed and gave him plenty of fuss before bed and a treat once he got into his bed etc and for the first few months there was no problem at all. Then, about 2 months before the baby came, he began this routine peeing and pooping on the floor before the morning, he always knows he has done wrong and shoots off to the bottom of the garden in the morning as soon as I open the back door. While the baby was being born he stayed with us in my Mother in Laws house until we had the baby home for a week or so and he was fine again for about a week after he got back and then it started again.

I'm at the end of my rope with him, its like having a puppy again, hes such a good boy at other times I just don't know what else to do... I've tried ignoring him for half an hour, telling him off, taking his food and water away after a certain time, putting ground pepper down and disinfecting the floor every morning....

PLEASE HELP!!!! :eek:

[K9soul]

This is a difficult situation because, for whatever reason he got started, it is now an established habit and something that happens when no one is around to catch and correct him in the act. He doesn't necessarily know it's wrong, but he probably remembers that every morning his people are displeased when they come in the kitchen. Dogs can read body language and moods very well. The hard part about house soiling issues is the act of going is rewarding in itself, the reward being he feels relieved after he has gone.

I really think the best solution would be to get him a crate if he doesn't have one and crate him at night. I highly doubt he will go in his crate if he has to lay in it, and if he did I would certainly suspect a medical condition going on that could be causing it. He may have to sleep in a crate several weeks or even months to be sure to break the habit, and after this if you wanted to try it out I'd just start by leaving the crate door open. The best thing to do is set him up for success, by putting him in a situation where he pretty much cannot do the behavior that is causing a problem.

I hope this is of some help.

[pitc9]

I agree with putting him in a crate 100%!!

Since you can't be there and catch him in the act to discourage it, I think the crate would work!
You said you've had Logan for 3 years, assuming you got him as a pup; and he's never been in a crate you'll have to get him used to it slowly.

Put the crate up, and leave it alone for a day or 2, let him get used to it on his own terms. Then start putting treats and or toys in it, so that he knows it's a positive place and it's not for punishment. (only we'll know the truth! ;) )
Then start teaching him the command you want to use when it's time for him to get in it. In my house all we have to say is "Crates" and they go in.
You can use any command you want to; house, in, go to bed, etc.
Once he's in his crate lying down, praise him.
Then start shutting the door for a few minutes at a time, and letting him out (praise, praise... praise),then start leaving him in for longer intervals. If he makes a fuss when he's in his crate IGNORE HIM!!!
Once you start responding to his barking or whining you're done for! (I should know :o ) They'll keep barking because they know eventually you'll give in.

Keep us posted!!