Accident at 9 months

[Sharae & Winston]

Winston just had an accident in the house last night. He's 9 months old... I feel like this is unacceptable. It's been over 2 months since his last accident and it was probably longer before that one. My bf says I let him have too much water... We recently started leaving it down for him all the time and just regulating it a little. He will literally drink bowl after bowl if you let him so we have to do that somewhat. We take him out about every 3 hours and he did it at the 2 hour mark. Last time we were at the vet i told him we take winston out every 2 hours and he said at his age we should only be taking him out every 3-4 hours at least and that he needs to learn to hold it. We slowly started extending it to 3 but it seems like if he has to pee before that he just goes.

I'm absolutely at my wits end. It's like right when we start to trust him a little and let our guard down this happens. Maybe he is going to be one of those dogs that just always pees in the house, I'm not sure, but I don't know how I'm going to handle that. Moments like this make me wonder why we ever got a puppy :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't want to worry you, but polydypsia (excessive water consumption) and polyuria (excess urination) can be symptoms of several different diseases in dogs. Did your vet suggest doing any bloodwork? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good point! 

[Sharae & Winston]

They did bloodwork before his neuter 2 months ago, I think it was a 12 blood panel, and they said everything was normal. Would that test reveal anything or is there something specific he needs to be tested for?

[F, Calla & Luca]

It's complicated. Here is an article to help explain things. Your vet should be the one to decide if and when and what tests are needed.

http://endocrinevet.blogspot.com/2011/01/whats-differential-diagnos...

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Oskar pooped in the house 3 times after we thought he was potty trained, at about Winston's age.   They were random, a couple of weeks apart.  It hasn't happened again in a couple of months.  These guys are still puppies & most likely get distracted & the accident happens.  Get some poochie bells, train him with the bells, & you should have no more surprises as long as you let him out when he rings the bells.  Just like people, we don't always go the same amount of time between bathroom breaks.  Most likely, Winstron isn't being naughty.

[Sharae & Winston]

We've been thinking about getting the bells for sometime now, we just wanted to wait til we moved so he didn't get confused. I think they'd be really beneficial because he gives us no warning he has to go unless he's confined. Do you think he would still learn the bells at this age or is it too late to try to teach him this?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Dogs can learn things at any age with consistent training.  If you want to teach him that go for it!

Luna had some accidents as she finished her first year after having been completely potty trained since about 4 months.  She didn't have the excessive drinking you described though, that would be a cause for concern for me

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

Our 4 year old learned right along with the puppy.   Go for it :)

[Sharae & Winston]

Ok I guess I'll head to petco and look into getting some! My only concern will be that he will just try to play with them and/or try to chew them while they're hanging there... Did you ever have problems with that with your puppy?

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

If he rings them-he goes out and try to wait until he pees, then praise.  

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

We started by saying 'ring the bells'...ring the bells for them...then 'let's go'...get outside...then 'go potty' & the high praise routine :)

Every now & then my dogs will be at the door watching for critters or something to bark at & will bump into the bells...when they do, I make them go out.

They don't play with them or try to chew them...they just hang on the doorknob undisturbed until the dogs ring them.  You'll be surprised how easy it is to get the bell routine going...good luck...let us know your success :)

[Christine & Shelby]

I agree...get bells. I travel with our bells... She uses them where ever we go. Great way to train for potty needs. Shelby caught on quickly, but I started her on bells much younger. Every time you take him out... Ring the bells and say "Winston Out" and then head outside. It feels ridiculous, but a consistent message is important. Once he starts ringing them on his own... say Winston out and open the door. Eventually you will know he has it and you can stop the verbal command. Now... You may find that Winston will catch on and ring them if he wants to go outside to play or just get some fresh air. If he rings them... Take him out!!! Good luck!