Expert: Nicole - 3/16/2009

Question
I have a 14 week old female, I have emailed you before, she is pretty much pooty trained except if I am getting ready or leave her in a room by herself she will pee.  I am still in the house and she can hear me, but wants me in the room with her.  Even if I let her in the room I am if I am not paying attention to her she goes in the other room and pees.  How do I handle this. I am sure I have spoiled her a little, because when we got her she was very sick, 2 lbs underweight, roundworms BAD, and ear mites. I want to fix this early and not sure how to start I have read about separation anxiety, but I am still in the house and I just wonder if this behavior related and need help now before it gets to out of hand. She sleeps in a crate and now will sleep for 5 hours, doing much better!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!

Answer
Hi again Rachel,

It's a pretty easy fix...supervision.  :)  At 14 wks old, she's too young to have true separation anxiety, however she could be on her way to developing it.

Everyone spoils puppies.  It's natural, especially for women.  You have to be extra vigilant to be sure you are treating her like a dog and not a furry child.

This isn't behavior related in the sense that you are talking about.  It's simply a potty training issue.  If you have to get ready to leave the house (shower, hair, make-up) then she should be in her crate (providing she isn't eliminating in there) with a toy to keep her occupied.  You told yourself what's wrong:

" if I am not paying attention to her she goes in the other room and pees"

That's it in a nutshell.  :)  You're not paying attention.  Some puppies have easily visible cues...some are more subtle.  If she's leaving the room to urinate, or even doing it in front of you, you've missed her cue.  I know it can get frustrating but keep in mind that dogs do NOTHING out of spite.  She's not peeing to irritate you or make you pay attention to her...she's peeing because she had to and you failed to let her out.

If you can't watch her with an eagle eye, she should be in her crate.  That doesn't mean that's where she spends the day...it means hurry up and do what you need to do.  :)