It's Katie..

Ever since we got Elvis Katie has been having 'little' accidents in the house. We don't know why because she is already house trained. And we take her out all the time. Morning, noon, night. (even more) It's starting to become a problem with my parents. They hate coming home to a mess on the floor.

My dad thinks it's jealousy. She might feel left out or something. But I don't see how. I give each of the dogs equal attention.
Or I suggested that maybe she has a bladder problem? My friends dalmation does. If she doesn't stop know we will have to train her to be crated when we are not home. and I don't want to do it. she has never been crated in her life.


I need some good suggestions please.

She is most likely feeling put out because of the new arrival. This is a common occurance. Crate-training her at this point might not be as "bad " as you're thinking - it would give her a place where she's "protected" from the new monster, a place of her very own ...

Does she get fed first, given treats first, etc, so she knows she's still #1?

Yes, she gets treats first. Everything first. I always greet her when Im home. Before anyone. I always treat her like she is #1, letting her sleep with me at night. stuff like that.


So we should go ahead, buy her a crate and see if it works?

She probably is a bit jealous of the new arrival,and it's only natural. Just in case, though, you could get her checked out by the vet--rule out anything medical first. When Abbey started having accidents in the house last year (once after I had just taken her out) I called the vet. As it turned out, she had a bladder infection, which was under control with an antibiotic.

If she gets a clean bill of health though, crating may be an option for you.

Oh, let me tell you about "jealousy pee-ing"! When we got Guinness, it completely undid Bailey's housetraining for a while.

The first week we had him, she peed up to 6 times a day in our apartment! (Did vet check, no urinary problems) Many times it was right in front of him, his crate, or the food dishes. She was SOOOOOO jealous. One morning, she peed in front of his crate, and then while my husband rushed over to clean it up, she ran into the kitchen and filled up Guinness' food dish with pee!:eek:

It took a while to re-train her on the housebreaking and make her understand that we were not replacing her, just adding to the family. She finally got over it,she's completely housebroken now, and she seems happy she has a brother. (See signature picture below) :)

Is Katie fixed? or Elvis? Katie is simply marking. This is how female dogs communicate to male dogs. They "pee" so the male dog will pick up their scent. The male dog can tell if the female dog is in heat. This may still occur if she is fixed because it is normal dog behavior. It is kind of like them smelling each other behinds.
This behavior should end as they get used to each other. If it is bothersome them think about getting some "Hot pants". They are for female dogs in heat and work like pads. You can find them at the pet store. Good luck! and get a steam cleaner!!!

thanks everyone. Katie didn't have no problems to day! so that is a good sign. We are still thinking about the crate training.

Katie is fixed. Elvis is only 12wks old. He is too young to have anything to do with females in heat. Or atleast I hope not.



Thankyou for your advice! When we take Elvis to the vet this week, we are going to ask our vet about it. :)

Quote:

---

Many times it was right in front of him, his crate, or the food dishes. She was SOOOOOO jealous. One morning, she peed in front of his crate, and then while my husband rushed over to clean it up, she ran into the kitchen and filled up Guinness' food dish with pee!

---

:eek: I dont believe it i was just going to ask PTers about peeing in the other dogs food dishes the other day, but asked a friend from dog club first and she said it was a dominance thing. My Elvis has been peeing in Clovers food dish as soon as she has finished eating (Although he did not do it tonight)

Also it is a good idea to let Katie and Elvis sort out who is going to be boss and make them work for attention and treats. But sounds like Katie wants to be alpha of the 2.

Crating may not be a bad idea whilst no-one is home. Goodluck and keep us posted.