Hi there,

I got my mini. American Eskimo in March and he was 18 months old. We got along great, and he never NEVER went in my condo. Now it's August, and last weekend I came home and he had peed on three spots on my bed, and has started to pee on my new rug. My new rug had been half unrolled and just two weeks ago I had unrolled it and put it in my living room. I really am frustrated because I know my routines have not changed (twice a day - morning before I go to work and after work). I admit last week I was out of the house more than usual because I was busy, but I would never skip or cut his walk short. In fact, the whole month of June I had to put him at my friend's house because I was traveling for work and visiting family on the East Coast.

I brought him to the vet on Monday - his urinalysis is clear and he seems healthy. The vet said maybe a culture will help, so I'm waiting on that. If it helps, this peeing started on Thursday and today he did it again. I haven't caught him but I did make it known to him that I was upset. On Sunday, I started him on a dog class series, if that makes a difference.. He's pretty well trained as it is, but I just want him to be better because he's really distracted when we are outside.

Any suggestions from anybody? I'm getting really frustrated!

If you left him alone for a long long time he reacted with extreme stress. You came home on weekend means you were away for a day or two and the dog was alone in the house?
Watch out, dogs are not stupid. He's trying to tell you something is wrong.
The places he selected probably attracted him 'cause of the smell of the fabric.
Love him don't punish him and don't leave him to watch the condo while you're away for more than two hours.
Dogs are VERY patient with humans but you DONT want to see him in RAGE

I was gone for a lot of the day on Friday, but I did come home two times after work, and the last time I was home is when I noticed the wet spots on the bed. That was when I actually noticed he had started peeing, because on Thursday I noticed my rug was wet but I just assumed I spilled water on it by accident.

What do you mean, something is wrong... could you please clarify that?

I am making more of a conscious effort to be home, and have been home as much as possible Saturday - Tuesday so far, but I was upset to see that he peed on the same spot again yesterday (Tuesday) so I feel like I am losing trust in him.

Getting some Nature's Miracle (I actually bought that when I got Bailey but returned it soon after b/c he was being such a good boy!) and I'll see how it goes from here. Thank you for your help.

Thank you for your good will towards your Dog.
Indeed you can only get practical help from a proffessional's visit and on the spot assessment of your ralationship with your Dog.
I believe he feels betrayed in some way. He's challenging His rights for Walks more often! He wants More time with you... more proof of Love, just like a human friend. Dogs Do Have even Finer Feelings than humans.
You seem to be a busy man who's out and away for long hours. This I think is a primary problem. As he gets older he'll be able to control his need to "go" better.
Getting a second Dog, a female, to keep Him company will be a solution, too.

Let me reffer you to the signature of one of our distinguished forum members: "Play with me and keep me busy! You have your work, your entertainment, and friends. I only have you! "

Getting a trustworthy Petsitter will automaticaly disolve any bad feeling between you and Gods' angel, (who holds both a flower and a knife) your dog!

I'd suggest a trip back to the vet for further testing. A UTI isn't the only possibility. Blood work to check kidney function, liver function, and blood glucose should be done. Diabetes and kidney disease need to be ruled out. Abnormal liver values could indicate Cushing's disease, although he's a little young for that.

No telling what he may have smelled on your new rug that he might have needed to rectify. Going on your bed is a sign that he is ticked. He bonded with you and then you leave him for a month and also all the time you are gone on a day to day basis. You haven't had him very long but I think in that time with everything going on you have hurt his feelings. Also he was almost two when you got him so the poor thing has certainly had some emotional challenges in his life.

Actually, going on your bed is usually a sign that A, he's trying to tell you something's wrong, B, he's expressing dominance, or C, he's claiming territory.

Dogs don't hold grudges, they don't do things for spite or because they're ticked at you. Their brains don't function that way. They do things for specific, doggy reasons, which are quite different than human reasons.

Vetgroomer, you are probably right, the word ticked was the wrong choice. I do believe that dogs get emotional problems though and they stem from hurt feelings or abuse (not saying there is abuse in the above situation). Sometimes it does seem if a doggie isn't happy with you they will do something to show their unhappiness say, by peeing on your favorite pillow or deciding to eat your favorite slipper or even devouring the sofa. I think they have ways of making a statement.

Hi all - just an update from the vet.

Vet called on Saturday and said based on the culture she found a strain of e.coli - still not sure what is up with that yet. She is waiting on sensitivity tests before putting him on antibiotics.

She said she was surprised to find it in such a young dog - and to be frank, I am too because I was ready to just write this off as behavioral. I bet there is some smell on the rug that's making him go there, so I plan to use a carpet cleaner and Febreeze!! I have been keeping him in a kennel (out when I'm home) and he has not had any accidents since last Tuesday.

Thanks for all your helpful posts! Will keep you posted as I hear more.

When you clean the carpet be sure and add some white vinegar to the solution and always use it to clean up any 'accidents'. It helps to keep them from going to the same spot. Works great.

Skip the Fabreeze. Get some Nature's Miracle pet stain and odor remover. Even when you use vinegar, the dog can still smell it, even if you can't. You need something that will completely remove the odor, and Nature's Miracle will do that.

[QUOTE=bluesocks;51183]I plan to use a carpet cleaner and Febreeze!![QUOTE]


You need to get a deodorizer.. carpet cleaner and febreeze might only mask the stain from OUR noses.. not a dogs. deodorizer will surely neutralize the stains and smells and the dog won't know any different than if he never lifted his leg before. Hope this helps!

[lil mutt]

Originally Posted by splinters

When you clean the carpet be sure and add some white vinegar to the solution and always use it to clean up any 'accidents'. It helps to keep them from going to the same spot. Works great.

or you can use a very good stain and odor remover and aside from using white vinegar, lemons can also take away some of the odor.

I have never had a problem using white vinegar and its always on hand. I don't just dab at the stain with it but first I dab the stain then pour the vinegar and water over it to flood it then i get that up with towels or wet vac (depending on the size of the stain). I may repeat the process if it was a big accident. White vinegar neutralizes the ammonia and it is also an anti-bacterial.
I use it for cleaning my floors in general. I have never tried Nature's Miracle but I can see that is highly recommended so I will get some. I am always leery of claims on most products because most have let me down. I tried that stuff you are supposed to spray on things to keep the puppies and dogs from chewing. What a joke that was. (hence- the name "splinters"). Sometimes I think I shoulda named my dogs Jaws 1 and Jaws 2.

The best product I have seen to help with this problem is the Happy Jack Dog Diaper. You can pick them up here: Happy Jack Best Dog Diapers - belly wraps with the non-slip strap