House training setbacks...

[Sharae & Winston]

Winston is a little over 4 months now, and I can't quite figure him out. We are having issues with house training, specifically peeing in the house. He has never had a #2 accident in the house since the day we've had him (knock on wood), but we can't seem to stop the urination inside from time to time. It isn't bad enough like hes having an accident every day, but he goes a full week with not one accident and then will have one.

I just don't understand how we can be doing so well for a week or more and then every time he does it, it's like we're back to square one. It is SO darn frustrating!!! We take him out about every 2 hours, after eating, napping, or playing a lot. We must be doing something okay if he can go a week or more without one accident, but what's the deal with the once a week surprise we get? Most stories I have been reading with people who are having house training issues are that their puppy is having more frequent accidents, like one a day, or a couple times a week... our situation is different. I feel like he should get it by now being almost 5 months old. What gives?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I don't think puppies are 100% reliable until they are about six months old.  Most important thing is to remove all scent from any area where there is an accident.  Use 'Natures Miracle' to thoroughly soak the area.  That way there is no incentive for him to go there again.  If Winston is crate trained keep him in there when you can't watch him.  Best thing would be if you 'caught' him in the act and then you could say 'stop' in a harsh voice and bring him right outside where he will finish. Then of course lots of praise.  I find catching them is the best of all and reinforces the training. Lots of people have great success with the bells that are at the door and they learn very quickly to ring them when they want out.  Keep doing loads of praise and a treat when he goes outside.  I think in a few weeks you will have no problem at all.  These puppies are very smart and I don't know of any who, with proper potty training are still having accidents into adulthood.

[Sharae & Winston]

Thanks for the positive words of encouragement! We are using Nature's Miracle, and he never seems to go in the same spot twice so it must be doing it's job. We normally keep him in the crate or tied off in the kitchen when we can't watch him, this particular incident happened when I was playing ball with him in the house and he was running around. I went in the kitchen for ONE SECOND to put a dish away and he did it in that moment. You really can't take your eyes off them for a second. I learned that he's definitely not ready to be unsupervised.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Running and playing ball, and other vigorous exercise will often trigger the need to go potty. It's a good idea to take them outside immediately afterwards.

[Adina P]

Do you catch him in the act?
Does he let you know when he has to go?
Does it happen at specific times
Is he a heavy drinker?

[Sharae & Winston]

We haven't caught him in the act since the first few days we brought him home- which he was having an accident about once a day because he hadn't been trained at all yet. 

He will only let us know if he has to go if he's in his crate or tied up. He starts barking and scratching at the wall/crate. He doesn't do anything to alert us when we're around him, not even sniff really- just kindof decides he has to go and squats all of a sudden, but his most recent accidents have been when we either weren't around or when he was playing/excited. We take him out every 2 hours and he relieves himself everytime so maybe he doesn't have the opportunity?

His accidents almost always happen in the evening.

He is a very heavy drinker. I don't think it's excessive though because he stops on his own. He drinks after he eats, plays, or even wakes up from a nap. We take away his water around 7 PM every night.

[Sharae & Winston]

I thought I would post an update on here in case anyone else has this issue! Winston went to the vet yesterday to get his rabies shot and I discussed the issues we were having and the doctor decided she wanted to take a urine sample. Turns out he has cystitis- basically inflammation of the bladder. Which I'm guessing is like a bladder infection in humans... The vet said this is probably a big factor in why we were having issues.

He's now on 2 weeks of antibiotics to get it cleared up, and fingers crossed that that was the main reason of his accidents! Just goes to show that if you suspect something could be wrong or the behavior changes to get your dog checked! Even if it was nothing- at least you ruled out the physical! :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad you discovered the bladder infection. Hopefully things will go better once it's cleared up.

It would be a good idea to give Winston a tablespoon of plain, unflavored, fat-free yogurt twice a day, at least two hours before or after the medication. Antibiotics destroy the intestinal bacteria, both the good and the bad, and a lot of dogs develop diarrhea because of a lack of beneficial intestinal flora when they are on antibiotics.  

[Sharae & Winston]

I just saw this, and wish I had gotten an email notification about it. I would've given him some yogurt, because sure enough, he had diarrhea the 2-3 days after we finished the meds... :-/

Oh well~ on a good note we're on day 12 of no accidents! :)))