[2JRTowner]

Ok, so I adopted a Jack Russell from a shelter about a year & a half ago. He was pretty much housebroken. But when I'm gone, he always seems to use the bathroom. For a while, it was both. Now, we've got it down to only peeing. If I crate him, he pees. If I leave him out, he pees. It's ruined my carpet at my old house, his urine seems to be the most yellow, carpet-staining urine ever! I've recently moved & don't want this to happen again. I bought plastic to put under his crate to make for easier clean up at least, but somehow, he managed to pee OVER that & onto the carpet. When I'm home, he'll go forever & not have any accidents. But when I'm gone, BAM! Any suggestions? He's around 6 years old. I have another JRT who is almost 10 & never had these issues.

[Lara's mom]

All I can say is that I too have a JRT (a shorty). She will be two years old in December and still cannot make it through the night without using her paper. It doesn't seem to matter how late I take her out - 10:00 is about the limit for us because we live downtown in a major Canadian city. After that hour, it gets creepy.

Every morning, there is "evidence" that she's used her paper during the night. Personally, I don't have a problem with it. Better she use her paper than my sofa or bed!

[2JRTowner]

I don't know what to do. My other one has never had any problems w/it. Bless her heart, I think she'd hold it til she exploded if she had to. But the male, whew, marks everything. Luckily, he's gotten better than when I first adopted him. Sometimes, he would pee right in front of me! I wonder if it's anxiety making him do it now. He's a very timid, nervous dog.

[Lara's mom]

Has he been neutered?

[german sheep]

Does he mark or is he really peeing?
There is a difference between and you should lay an eye on how much and how often he does it.

Then describe his behaviour outside and inside when you are at home. Does he follow you closely like a shadow? Does he bark a lot and how is his behaviour when you've got visitors?

Does he run a lot without a leash? How far does he go away? How close are both of your dogs in interaction?
Is his behaviour changing when you leave the house but your husband stays at home?

LG
gs

[millsandbones]

Maybe he was used to peeing on his crate when he was in the shelter and he's getting back on his habit..

[Sandra Scott]

Has he been checked for a possible medical problem? Dogs don't usually like to soil their beds. Also, how long is he being left in the crate?