Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 9/12/2006

Question
Hello, I have a 7 yr old Gordon Setter that has started to pee in the house. I've had him checked by a vet and there's no infection or medical reason for this. He is peeing in the open, just small amounts but it doesn't matter if I'm home or not. Nothing has changed in our house and it's not every day. Sometimes it's 4 times in one day and other times he goes 4 days without peeing. I have tried making him sit next to me as I clean up the mess and then ignoring him for at least 30 min. I've tried telling him good boy and giving lots of attention when I get home and he hasn't peed. I'm going crazy and my house is being ruined, he's always been a stubborn dog and knows he's not supposed to, and I'm at my wits end so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tonja

Answer
Hi Tonja,
Thanks for the note. I can help. I may need more information but first I'll share these initial thoughts.  The lack of a pattern or some readily identifyable common factors (i.e. every day, only when you are present, only when you are absent) poses an interesting case.

It's a very rare occasion that I would ever attribute stuborness to inside elimination problems and I label that as attention seeking behavior which only occurs in the presence of the people. In addition I would not view any housetraining mistakes as deliberate attempts to "get back" at us. Dogs eat feces and many dogs are not offended by urine. If your dog hangs his head afterwards, he's trying to appease you, not admitting guilt. He's trying to extinguish your aggression-be it scolding, comments or harsher corrections.  

When a 7 year-old dog that was previously housetrained (and nothing has changed, including diet) starts eliminating inside, my first thoughts are MEDICAL ISSUES.

1) Medical issues - Exactly which tests did your vet conduct? Infections are not the only culprits - In addition to a complete blood count - Did he or she perform a blood-chem profile? Blood tests to verify kidney functions? If not, please return for more tests.
Is your dog neutered or intact?

Small amounts as opposed to full-fledged eliminations point to:
medical issues, marking behavior, separation anxiety, excitement or submissive urination, general anxiety,  attention seeking behavior or perhaps as a fearful response to some perceived or actual threat.

2) Marking behavior is seen more in un neutered males and usually begins at some well-defined life stage (sexual maturity at 6 months, social maturity at 18-36 months) or when another dog or pet or person is added to the household or when another male dog is introduced into the environment (new competitor or predator in neighborhood) or when something like a delivery truck or workers are outside the window.

3) Separation anxiety only occurs when the people are absent and includes other clues like inside defecation, destructive behaviors directed at entry exit points (doors, windows, curtains) I excessive vocalization, and salivation.

4) General anxiety (coupled with your dog's age and situation) as a cause for inside elimination would usually be associated with changes in your schedule, changes in his environment (new home, home remodeling, addition of an invisible electric fence, et cetera)

5) Excitement/ Submissive urination occurs in the presence of some sort of exciting or threatening stimuli, usually other people or animals, either inside or outside the house

6) Due to attention seeking - only occurs when people are present

Please review this information and verify/ rule out all medical factors. Unless I misunderstood your statements, all clues point to a medical problem.

If you cannot identify the behavioral or medical cause, please visit http:// howsbentley.com , sign up for the mailing list and download the free housetraining guide and begin as if your dog were a puppy.  

If you do identify the cause, let me know and I'll offer specific suggestions. Please let me know your thoughts! Thanks

AT