started peeing in her bed - what do I do

Dopeygirl · 07-22-2007, 04:46 AM

My five month old Shih Tzu cross has started to pee in her crate at night. We have had problems with training her during the day, which is getting slightly better but she was always good at night. Her crate which she sleeps in is the correct size but there is some space so she could pee on the floor of her crate but she pees on her bed. We have two other dogs which sleep in the same room as her but not in a crate.

How do I go about training her not to do this as obviously during the night and why has she suddenly started doing this.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Lorina · 07-22-2007, 06:56 AM

If she previously did not pee in her crate overnight, I'd rule out medical problems first. Call your vet and ask if you could bring in a urine sample to be analyzed.

Durbkat · 07-22-2007, 08:41 AM

Also do you get up during the night and take her out? How old is she? The general rule is 1 hour per month old is how long they can be expected to hold it.

Dopeygirl · 07-23-2007, 12:47 PM

Sister works at a vet so she got the vet to take a look. She is in the best of health so no problems there. No I don't get up during the night to let her out as there has been no need to as it has only been in the last week that she has started to wee on her bed. Could it be that she is in a crate and my other two dogs aren't. One of my dogs is in heat - would that bother her? Just clutching at straws now I think.

briteday · 07-23-2007, 12:52 PM

Did the vet actually look at a urine sample from your dog? And did he know about this unusual change in behavior? They can look perfectly healthy and still have a UTI.

If all checks out, then I would not be leaving her in the crate at night for more than 5 hours without a potty break. Set an alarm and take her out, no talking or playing, out to piddle and back in the box.

Most dogs are able to hold it for an 8 hour night at about 6 months. Smaller dogs may take a bit longer.

I don't think it matters that the other dogs aren't crated.

Dopeygirl · 07-23-2007, 01:10 PM

Don't know exactly yet what the vet said and don't know if he took samples. I was at work today so my sister came and got her and took her for me and sent me a text just saying that the dog was fine. I am waiting to get a hold of her to find out exactly what has been said. I hope he has took samples because if he hasn't I will have to take her back in. Thanks for the info.