accidents in the house

[martha]

My Dixie is 5 month old Labradoodle and she is still having accidents in the house. she won't bark when she has to go out. I've tried the bells but my cat keeps playing with them. I've tried the crate - but she'll even go in the crate

we started obediance school- she's the smartest one there. she sits, stays + walks well on the leash. she's a smart little girl but I'm at my wits end with all these accidents.

any help and ideas would be greatly appreciated

[Heather Martinez]

Assuming she does not have UTI it might just be a matter of learning to hold it. Teddy was pretty much house broken at 4 months old (he could hold it all day and stopped needing his potty pads when we were at work), but still had occasional accidents up to 6 months old. We realized it was always about an hour or two after drinking a lot of water and playing hard at the dog park. He would not go to the door, but would just stand there and pee. I think it surprised him and he just couldn't hold it anymore. Now we take him out 30 minutes or an hour after he's had extra water. 

[martha]

I just got Dixie spay last Monday. the accidents seemed like it got worse. I ended up taking her back to the vet for a re-check Saturday and told her about the accidents. she ended up shaving her and cleaning the glands which seemed to help. now she's been barking to go out - and sher's actually going. I've got my fingers crossed on this. she has to stay home another week. so I'll ciome for lunch to let her out quick. she cam't go back to doggydaycare till June 4

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Just a couple of thoughts......a UTI should be ruled out if she is going frequently, having trouble going, or going several times on one potty trip.  

Puppies can hold 'it' for one hour longer than they are old.  For example, a 4 month old pup should be able to hold it 5 hours; a 5 month old - 6 hours, etc. Is she getting out enough?

But if she just isn't quite catching on, I would go back to taking her out more frequently.  And when she goes, PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE and treat.  She is still a baby and may just need a bit more time.  At 5 months, I took Wilson out every few hours.  Could he hold it longer?  Maybe.  But I wanted to set him up for success so there was no room for mistakes. 

Also cleaning it thoroughly is key.  Be sure you are using something like 'Nature's Miracle,' which actually rids the area of the odor.  Sometimes it takes a few cleanings.

Wilson didn't do well with the crate either, but at such a young age, he didn't have a choice when we were away.  Safer for him, less stressful for me.  How about a bully stick or a stuffed Kong in the crate?  He only got these prized possessions in the crate, which did help.

[martha]

I'll pick up the Nature's Miracle tomorrow since it's usually the same area in the unfinished basement. today was the  first day in a week that she did not have an accident

 

[martha]

my thanks to everyone! your suggestions have been a big help! my last dog was a 10 month old retriever mix that was already house broken. it's been 20 years since I had to house break a puppy