Night time stealth pee

[Roodog]

I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience and can advise.

We adopted our greyhound in November. Over the last six months he's come out of his shell and is a great addition to our family. Very chilled, working on some basic training etc etc.

However, initially occasionally and now daily, he pees in the house overnight. He sleeps downstairs and has access throughout the lounge/diner. I used to get up at 6am, more lately 5.30 when I hear him start up the stairs.

His last walk (of 3) is around 7-8pm. And we put him out 10ish to go in the garden (although he's already fast asleep at this point and is very reluctant, always trying to come back in rather than pee).

He is not very vocal (almost never barks), the most vocal communication I get from him is a really quiet whining on the stairs at about 5.30 when it gets light, so I know he wants me to come down then. So through the night there is nothing from him to tell me he needs to go out.

I've cleaned thoroughly (hard floors fortunately) with white vinegar which is supposed to put them off. He goes in different places so it's not like a favourite spot.

I'm totally stumped. We're moving soon and new house will have carpets. I'm concerned that house move could be unsettling anyway, and then if he pees on the carpet every day I will have a whole new heap of difficulty.

I'm considering crate training him, thinking that maybe he will be less likely to do anything in there overnight. And maybe he'll feel more secure (although he shows zero signs of anxiety).

He can't sleep upstairs with me.

Any bright ideas or similar experiences?

Vinegar isn’t going to work, your dog will still be able to smell where he’s been and that will encourage him to go again. Even if he’s not going in exactly the same spot, the general area will now smell to him.. You need an enzymatic pet sanitary cleaner like Simple Solution.

I would also start going out with him for his last wee and stay out there with him till he’s gone.

Thanks, wondered about enzyme cleaner. Will do that. It's my husband that does the last wee duty, I'm hoping he's taking him outside properly... but maybe not.

He is absolutely fine the rest of the time (dog not husband). On two occasions I've left him for up to two hours with no ill effect. Guess I'm concerned whether he's unhappy.

Yes, you need to take him out last thing and make sure he wees, my husband takes our, sometimes reluctant, dog out for a last wee at bedtime.

Just wanted to add she doesn't wee properly if just put in the garden needs a quick walk, even just a minute down the road and back.

Instead of putting him out in the garden, you need to go and stand with him and make sure he goes.

Our beagle was a master of the fake pee - then he'd wake us up desperate at 3am

Whoever is last to bed goes out with him now and we actively supervise to make sure he goes properly!

I have to go out with mine too to make sure she actually goes for the last wee!

Our greyhound liked a fake wee last thing so he could get back in his bed. We now give him a biscuit for going in the garden and a biscuit once he's had a proper wee. He races out there and can't wee quick enough, and then presents himself for his biscuit all proud. He's 11 and picked this up in a couple of days.

If you can be sure he's having a good wee before bed and it continues then you know to start looking at other factors, but I'd bet this will fix it.

LOL at all these lazy dogs, mine is particularly horrified if its raining and she is a water loving labrador!

But I reckon it will be down to not having a decent wee last thing.

Thanks all. Cleaning solution ordered (working so can't get to shops today). Will try the tips about the last wee of the evening too. Fingers (ang legs) crossed we get somewhere.

You could start training him to wee on a command word , mine knows if I say ‘go quick’ that he has to at least try and squeeze out a pee . Also is he warm enough over night as that may be why he is waking up so early and indeed to pee , it’s been pretty chilly overnight lately .

Can you get a camera set up to see when he wees?

If his is he weeing at 5.30 in the morning then they approach to help him with this may be different to it being at 12.30 for example.

If his last pee (allegedly) is at 10, and he’s up and whining at 530, what time are you letting him out in the morning?

He's only got up at 5.30 since it's been so light. I let him straight out then.

Was wondering about a camera