My Pomeranian (male) is almost 4. His brother gets it just fine. Teddy, however, does not…well, sort of.
We have a "go outside" phrase and both dogs understand this. Teddy NEVER misses an opportunity to go outside when prompted and ALWAYS pees, at least a little, usually all over here and there, marking his territory (paying special attention to pee EXACTLY where his brother peed).
When we are in the house, he will come up and tap us to let us know he has to go potty. If we say the key phrase, at that point, the dog goes ballistic, doing rapid circles and jumping before running to the door, scratching at it.
The problem, then? Well, whenever we are not paying attention to him or are not home, even if it’s just to go out to get the mail at the end of the driveway, he will pee on something. Just a few moments ago, he peed on my bed while I was showing, AFTER having been out just prior to my shower. This morning, he peed on the hallway wall when my husband was making coffee, JUST after being let back in from peeing and pooping outside. It’s crazy!!!
For 4 long years we have been battling this. He just can’t seem to get NOT to go inside the house. He does not like crates and we don’t crate him. I hate the thought of putting them in a room they can’t get out of, so we let them run the house. Winston NEVER has an accident, EVER, no matter if we are gone for hours but Teddy will just walk around peeing on everything in every room (no, this is not an exaggeration). We are just at our wits end, having tried everything.
Scolding, not scolding, putting in laundry room for short periods like showers (pees on walls), rewarding for good potty outside (they are nuts for ice cubes), putting training pads down (Teddy will rip them to confetti in short order), spraying the spots, even with bleach and ammonia (just picks a new spot to pee in). We just dont know what else to do.
Other than this, he is an amazing dog. He is so smart! He loves to fetch, he does tricks, he is just a fun little guy but we just had to ditch a sectional queen sleeper sofa due to the reek of urine on it (yes, he was peeing RIGHT on the couch, on the top cushions while standing where we sit). It’s getting expensive. I hate the thought of getting rid of him and neither he nor his brother would be good without the other but feel there is no other choice, at this point. ANY input would be so appreciated.
PS. No, the vet says he is fine without urinary trouble.
September 5th, 2010 - 1:01 am
Dogs like this are why people invented belly bands.
I would keep him belly banded at all times when you can’t watch him in the house. Maybe after awhile when he learns that he can’t mark things (all the urine stays in the belly band and they don’t like the wet feeling) – he will give up on this. It’s become a bad habit – and one that is tough to break.
September 5th, 2010 - 1:01 am
Watch your dog’s behavior when he goes to the bathroom so you know when he has to go when he is inside.
September 5th, 2010 - 1:01 am
Well even if you don’t like the kennel idea it’s probably the best. Dogs never like it at first but after a week or two he’ll be fine. Because he’s older it will probably take longer. They even start to like it because it’s their own little hide away. You have to put him in the kennel while your home (as well as away) so you can tell/ show him that whining is not going to help him get out. I know that its hard and you’ll want to let him out but he’ll adjust (it’s not forever it’s just until he gets the idea). He has to either be in the kennel, outside or by your side so you can catch him in the act EVERY time he decides to pee in the house. He has to be scolded then taken outside to be shown the proper place to pee. If you are completely against kenneling then either have him by your side or outside at all times. You have to eliminate the opportunities for him to go in the house.
September 5th, 2010 - 1:01 am
Are they both fixed? This sounds like a marking behavior, he’s marking his scent over yours (your bed) he’s marking walls, sofa’s items, unfixed males get into this habit or he started the habit and got neutered afterwards therefore the habit remains.
If he’s fixed and you’re getting him out regularly to potty and he’s "marking" I suggest a male wrap or belly band, or keeping him tethered and if you see him go to mark clap your hands and say outside and out you go, shaking a can of pennies to startle him into stopping and out you go. Marking is difficult to curb, if you’ve housebroken him and he is getting out enough then he’s marking, sounds like if he’s marking over your scent, he’s pack leader and you aren’t. Do you baby him a lot?
If he’s not neutered, thats the first place to start. Snip snip.