[BellaPup]

She was doing so well! She hadn't had an accident in the house in at least 4months. And I was just starting to be able to leave her alone out of the crate for a few hours a day without any problems!

She has always been banned from Nick's room...he's a typical sloppy teenage kid and Bella was always getting into things (dirty smelly socks, homework - "Yes, my dog DID eat it!", six week old macaroni and cheese etc...). We have to keep the door open so the cat could get to the basement to his litter box (thankfully Bella's never braved the basement stairs!). We just tell her "OUT!" anytime she went in there...or before she got there, and she'd always come sulking out.

Well, Nick moved away to college recently, and I gave Walter the cat a little house for him to hide in...that's when she started using the room as her bathroom. I got a carpet cleaner and used some bleach to get the odor out. Apparently it didn't help.

I don't know what her problem is all of a sudden! She was at the vet's recently for an ear infection, and a little bit of a UTI, but that has all cleared up after two weeks of super dooper antibiotics. And she poops in there more than pees. And I can never catch her at it...and I'm always home when it happens.

I dedicated Sunday and Monday to Bella watching...I followed her everywhere. I guess she knows better than to go in there when I'm around.

She is on a daily routine of AM potty time, walk, feeding, potty...over and over every day and every night...same time same thing.

I don't know what is going on!

Somebody suggested putting her crate and some of her things in the room so she doesn't think she has to "claim" it? It made a little sense to me...so I tried it tonight...we'll have to see what happens.

Other than a gigantic baby gate or cutting a hole for a kitty door (which I know Joe won't go for), I don't know what else to do.

She has also been extremely bratty lately. I walk her at least once a day for at least a mile when she's not at daycare...play with her in the back yard for hours on end and she is just out of control! She won't listen...she's showing aggression...

I'm at a loss.

Welcome to parenthood?

[skelaki]

You've sent one teen off to college and now have another one at home. Thoroughly clean the accidents with an enzyme cleaner to destroy the odor at the molecular level.

Bella loses ALL house privileges. When you can't supervise her 110% of the time she's either confined (preferably in her crate) or tethered to you. This way she can't have an accident without you being able to catch her in the act and correct her immediately every single time.

Also, work daily on things such as basic obedience training and power walks that require her to use her mind as well as her body. Do this in addition to any play time or regular walks. Use of both mind and body is very tiring. And, as we all know, "A tired dog is a good dog."

Repeat 5 times each day. This too will end. I will survive. LOL

[seamus5]

I don't know if this applies, but you can also try leaving the door open when you are not around. I know that with my yorkie, as long as the door is open, he won't go potty in the house.

[Vinnysgirl]

My little one does this sometimes. She goes upstairs to go potty and will do it in their room where their crates are located.

It might be she misses your son! She isn't doing well with the change. My parents told me that when I left for college that our lab (my little-big princess) sulked for about 2 weeks. Then when I came home to visit for the weekend she wouldn't leave my side. That could be why she's acting out, especially if you've never had issues like this before he left.

Good luck! I can understand the frustration of CONSTANTLY having to clean floors!

[BellaPup]

Originally Posted by skelaki

You've sent one teen off to college and now have another one at home. Thoroughly clean the accidents with an enzyme cleaner to destroy the odor at the molecular level.

Bella loses ALL house privileges. When you can't supervise her 110% of the time she's either confined (preferably in her crate) or tethered to you. This way she can't have an accident without you being able to catch her in the act and correct her immediately every single time.

Also, work daily on things such as basic obedience training and power walks that require her to use her mind as well as her body. Do this in addition to any play time or regular walks. Use of both mind and body is very tiring. And, as we all know, "A tired dog is a good dog."

Repeat 5 times each day. This too will end. I will survive. LOL

I thought the same thing about her being out of sorts about Nick leaving, but Nick never really paid much attention to her...unless he did when nobody was home so he didn't look like a "sissy"...or something.

I do absolutely power walk her as much as I can stand. We usually do at least a mile in about 25 minutes...usually the walks are longer..at least 45 minutes (2+ miles) taking different roads, trails etc...she is an excellent walker! No pulling or anything...stays trotting right by my side. Then I bring her home, play and train with her in the back yard for about half an hour, then she eats. I can't get rid of her energy!

I thought about the tethering her to me...but that may cause bodily harm to myself!

I do think locking her out of the room makes her "act out". I'll let her go in and out to sleep in her crate (which is where she likes to be now and then) and get some of her toys while keeping an eye on her so I can correct her immediately if she trys anything.

We'll see what happens.