Help please with puppy weeing

[HarlotOTara]

Would appreciate some suggestions, my puppy is a 6 month old golden retriever who has been dry in the house for some months. In the last few days he has started weeing in the house. He has also been off his normal food although will eat other food (tried this to see if he was really off his food). I also take him to training class and this week he wouldn't do things like 'down' and 'come' although he knows how. Is this all the behaviour of an adolescent pushing the boundaries or something else. With regard to food I did think just taking it away if he doesn't eat and then giving food again at the next meal until he is really hungry enough to eat and not be fussy. I have another retriever who is 4 and neutered and don't recall these problems.
Thanks

Could he have a urinary infection?

Teenage for dogs. It was the same with mine. He suddenly decided he was ruling the house and started to define his territory.

Thanks for replying - I did wonder that - how would I know (or is that a stupid question?). Would this put him off his normal dog food? He has eaten a tin of Chappie and some scrambled egg - licked the bowl clean

Is his normal food dry?

Symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection include a change in urination pattern (including incontinence), drinking more water and wanting more moist food.

I don't know how to tell if it is medical or behavioural, except for going to the vets. Hopefully someone else will.

His normal food is dry and he has always drunk water but that doesn't appear to be more than normal.

He did a wee on the stairs yesterday which was scattered over several steps - would this be a sign of incontinence? My guess is from what you are saying a trip to the vets might be in order and not cranberry juice ? Am loathe to unless I really need to tho'

I think you probably need to rule out an infection although it could just be sexual maturity kicking in, and he may be marking his territory by weeing. Ignoring previously learned commands is another badge of puberty, I'm afraid! Make sure you're getting completely rid of the smell of his urine (no ammonia-based cleaners: use biological washing solution or specialist spray).

If he won't eat give him 10 mins then take his bowl away until his next meal - at this age a retriever should still be on 2 meals a day. If he still isn't interested later don't offer something tastier!

If he were mine I would pop to the vets (sample in hand!) to have him checked over and then discuss neutering him if you don't intend to use him as a stud dog.

HTH

could be a wee infection - always worth a visit to vet

if he is off normal food, but eats scrambled agg, then maybe chnage his brand of food - prehaps he is bored

if he hasnt eaten his meal with in the hour, i wouldpersonally take away and then give fresh food at next meal time

Is that a wee (as in small) infection or wee as in wee-wee, Blondie? Good one

Thanks for all the replies, I will take him to the vets on Monday with a wee sample (hopefully!). It will be a pain if he is just bored with his food as my other goldie eats it quite happily although the puppy is on large breed rather than adult. He is a bit subdued tho' but will play if I throw a ball etc. Why can't they speak!!

bella - i get it

harlotara - isnt there a person who can talk to animals - not dr dolittle but sure i saw someone on tv who could communicate with animals and he would tell the owners what was up

hope woofa is ok

how DO you get a wee sample - once they pee on floor/garden etc - do you then seringe it up?

You need to be poised with a large-ish shallow tray (vets will provide you with a disposable one at the same time as the sample bottle if you ask nicely) and have endless patience since - surprisingly - most dogs catch sight of you and kind of go 'Oh, bejeesus, what is she trying to do to me?'! Makes for an entertaining half hour or so, anyway

think i prefer the seringe idea personally!!!

How is he HarlotOTara?

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HarlotoTara - are you still scrabbling round with the syringe trying to get a sample?

If he likes chappie why not make that his normal food? cheap but really good for dogs.