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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Accidents! In need of serious help 😢

95 replies

Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 07:37

So our puppy is now nearly 9 months old and is still having accidents like a 12 week old. I'm really struggling with it. I'm following all the advice I've ever been given. I've re started toilet training 3 times and he just never ever goes one day without weeing in the house. Multiple times. Last night was the final straw when he peed on my sofa. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. He just doesn't seem to understand it at all 😢😢
One day this week I took him outside he went for a wee I praised as always we came back in and he cocked his leg up on my washing basket and did a wee.
He is now restricted to being in the kitchen most of the day because as soon as I turn my back he wees somewhere. I really am at the end of my tether and I feel like it's definitely coming between the bond of me and my lovely puppy as it's just so constant 😢😢

OP posts:
Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:40

[quote Mammaaof]@Veterinari but usually when I enter a room he gets so excited to see me, it's only when he wees that he goes to his bed so I just find that strange for him to do[/quote]
He will be excited to see you because he loves you. That doesn't mean that he's also scared of you.
You'll be making postural changes that he'll pick up on and be reacting too when you suspect he's been weeing and they will drive his fear. Lots of research has been done in the area of dog guilt - they don't experience it because they don't comprehend that weeing indoors is wrong by human standards - think about it - how would he understand that concept of right and wrong and of socially appropriate toileting behaviour? Most 3-4 year old children don't have that concept but you think your 9 month old puppy does?

In every case it's been shown that the dog is reacting to the behaviour of the human

Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:41

@Ihaventgottimeforthis no he's not anxious without me he goes to my mum's and has same issue there, so much so she's stopped having him now, he was really unwell as a puppy and was on treatment for a long time so I don't know if that's made everything delayed.

OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 03/03/2021 22:41

18 not 28 facepalm

Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:42

[quote Mammaaof]@Ihaventgottimeforthis I don't think the humping is anxiety he humps the kids, my leg, my foot the vet said he's going through sexual maturity now at his age[/quote]
That sounds exactly like anxiety humping.
It's typically directed at humans (because humans offer reassurance)

Honestly he sounds pretty worried.
Does he cock his leg or squat when peeing? (Or sometimes both?)

Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:43

@Veterinari no he always cocks his leg

OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 03/03/2021 22:43

That could possibly have an impact - poor pup! Stick with it, I'm sure you will get a breakthrough. I know it's frustrating to have pee indoors constantly.

Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:43

[quote Mammaaof]@Ihaventgottimeforthis no he's not anxious without me he goes to my mum's and has same issue there, so much so she's stopped having him now, he was really unwell as a puppy and was on treatment for a long time so I don't know if that's made everything delayed.[/quote]
Nope but trauma/lack of social contact as a puppy is a massive red flag for developing behavioural disorders and anxiety

Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:45

[quote Mammaaof]@Veterinari no he always cocks his leg[/quote]
Ok that's good, it means he is maturing
What kind of breeder did he come from? He's an interesting mix and had health problems as a pup - what were his parents like?

Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:46

@Veterinari yes he did have lack of social contact until he was 5 months old as he wasn't allowed out on a walk and obviously with lockdown wasn't really allowed many people around the house at the time

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:47

@Veterinari his parents are my mum's 2 dogs. He sees them regularly well until he started weeing in my mum's house 🙈 he was in the family home with all the other puppies, it was a total accident and my mum didn't sell any of the other puppies all went to family members

OP posts:
Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:48

Honestly I'd really focus on building his confidence, lots of reinforcement of the behaviours you want, ignore the behaviours you don't

Plenty of exercise and also chilled out quiet time where he can sleep and relax - he should be getting about 15 hours of sleep in every 24hour period

Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:49

[quote Mammaaof]@Veterinari his parents are my mum's 2 dogs. He sees them regularly well until he started weeing in my mum's house 🙈 he was in the family home with all the other puppies, it was a total accident and my mum didn't sell any of the other puppies all went to family members[/quote]
What are their temperaments like? Calm confident? Or anxious/clingy?

Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:49

@Veterinari he sleeps a good 12/13 hours at night but I find he doesn't really sleep in the day. Would you advise putting him in his crate for a nap? I've never used the crate downstairs it's up in our bedroom and he settles straight away in there

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:51

@Veterinari there the most laid back pair of dogs you'll ever meet I think that's why I'm struggling so much as was expecting much of the same 🙈

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:52

Little photo for you

Accidents! In need of serious help 😢
OP posts:
Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:53

[quote Mammaaof]@Veterinari he sleeps a good 12/13 hours at night but I find he doesn't really sleep in the day. Would you advise putting him in his crate for a nap? I've never used the crate downstairs it's up in our bedroom and he settles straight away in there[/quote]
Yes a nap is a good idea - after a walk when he's naturally more tired

Hood that his parents are chilled. Hopefully it's just a combination of his breed/early experiences and the punishment. I think if you change your training you'll hopefully see some results

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/training/house-or-toilet-training

Veterinari · 03/03/2021 22:53

@Mammaaof

Little photo for you
He's super cute
Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 22:56

Thank you @Veterinari definitely taking on the advice! Determined to wake up in a different mind set, ready to tackle this! Sorry if I was defensive, I do really really love him to bits I just hope we can get past this stage 🙈

OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 03/03/2021 22:56

I would consider him to be a puppy who is v young for his age, anxious & stressed. I'd go back to very basics, looking for exercises & training which build confidence, a positive bond with you & socialisation. & sleep/relax time, even if it means bringing crate downstairs in daytime. Then I'm sure you will see progress & he will become much happier & confident.
Please don't castrate yet! There's no rush & you don't want to cut off his testosterone just when he really needs it. Just don't let him run off!!

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 03/03/2021 22:58

@Mammaaof

Little photo for you
He's lovely 😊 Good luck OP, everything you do in the next few months will be worth it many times over for the rest of his life Smile
Veterinari · 03/03/2021 23:01

@Mammaaof

Thank you *@Veterinari* definitely taking on the advice! Determined to wake up in a different mind set, ready to tackle this! Sorry if I was defensive, I do really really love him to bits I just hope we can get past this stage 🙈
I'm sure you will - and well done for taking advice on board. I know words like 'punishment' can be quite emotive and I'm not trying to imply that you're intending to upset him - I'm sure you're not. But he is very young still and he had a rough start so he's probably going to be much more sensitive to even slight annoyance than another dog would be and I can totally understand it's tricky to remain completely calm and passive when you're constantly cleaning up wee.

I think going back to basics is the way forward. Use the crate, frequent pee opportunities outside, rewards for correct behaviour, ignore the peeing inside/limit opportunities by crating etc

Original poster
Mammaaof · 03/03/2021 23:01

@Ihaventgottimeforthis thank you for your advice really appreciate it. Tomorrow is a new day and like you said hopefully build his confidence! ☺️☺️

OP posts:
caringcarer · 03/03/2021 23:01

I trained my dogs with a bell and crates. From tiny pups every time to hey woke immediately out ringing bell as they went out and praised for wee in garden. Out again after coming out of crate, out again after being fed. Out every 1 hour. I ring bell when they weed. Made a big fuss of them. If I had to.dtess child or could not watch them for 15 mins i.put them in their crates. Both house trained by 14 weeks. I got up once in night to let them out to wee until 18 weeks. What breed of dog OP as some dogs are known to be hard to train.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 03/03/2021 23:05

Oh he's super cute 😍

Good luck!

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 03/03/2021 23:07

Best of luck OP!
I'm sure you'll be in a very different place with him soon & he will be your best friend & you will barely recall him peeing all over your laundry!