[kazzyran]

I have blinds in my front room which are 3ft of the ground. I have a 4 year old akita. The blinds are not new. They have been trashed on five occasions and she has urinated on three. It does not matter if blinds are open/closed. Curtains in front of blinds open/closed, noise/no noise outside, windows open/closed. I just dont know why she does this to the blinds....

This always happens after midnight and before 5.30am. She does not howl or cry, she is not unwell. She gets attention and regularly exercised, and goes out before bed time.

Does anyone have suggestions????

Thank you for your time

xxxxxxx

[CorkyMax]

Would spraying the blinds (just the part she can reach) with Bitter Apple stop her? I would try it--wetting it well just before you go to bed---also give her a good 'whiff' of the Bitter Apple as soon as you are done spraying the blinds so she gets the hint. Too bad you can't catch her in the act and give her another spray of the Bitter Apple so the association is there to do with the blinds being a no-no!

This can't be some kind of separation anxiety can it? Is your bedroom door open or closed after you go to bed? If closed--maybe try leaving it open so she knows she can be where you are if she wants to.

Could it be something to do with boredom? Everyone has left her by herself when you go to bed.

If nothing else--Could you raise the blinds when you go to bed--high enough that she can't reach them?

I know you mentioned she gets plenty of exercise and goes out before bedtime but can you exercise her a lot to tire her out just before you go to bed? Leave toys out at bedtime---Have a kong you can fill with peanut butter or cheese or kibble, etc---to keep her occupied for a while and maybe that would be enough to distract her long enoughfor her to settle down for the night.

Have no idea if this would help (just off the top of my head)--turn on the radio low with some quiet music playing. Or if you have tapes of something 'appropriate' that she would like listening to--put her to sleep.

[lange]

You got some great feedback from C/M. I also wondered whether she is closed off in the front room which might be causing her anxiety. What is her daytime routine in the house? Something has to be different from day to night for her.

[reeskujo]

I agree with Lange..This is atypical Akita behavior..How old is she? Is she able to patrol the inside of the house fully at night?..Do you have other animals? Has she had any blood work or a urinalysis done? Also is it possible that there is a stray dog or cat that comes around the house during those hours?..Hopefully with a little extra info Lange and I can help you figure this out!

[Lunareclipse]

Have you considered just doing away with the blinds for a short period to see if the dog urinates anywhere else?