[natasha81]

We've had our 6 month old cocker spaniel for 3 months now and she is sometimes peeing in her cage or her bed-i.e where she sleeps. RThe longest she is left without access to the outside is 4.5 hours a day. She has a big walk over lunch time so there is no reason for accidents. But these don't seem to be accidents because she isn't peeing by the door where she's paper trained, she's peeing where she sleeps.

She also sometimes feels the need to mark things. My step mum gave her a dressing gown to lie on when we visited and she puppy peed on it(little dribble). I also recently gave her something to lie on and she peed all over it (a full pee and she'd just been to the toilet in the garden!) and then tried to lie in it, but I stopped her.

For the first three months of her life she was with the breeder(she had a problem with her eye). She was with her mum, dad, grandma and another dog, so she was part of a pack. The breeder consciously didn't get attached to her so I suspect she spent a lot of time away from humans and only with the other dogs. Do you think that makes a difference?

She has lot's of walks, lots of love, lots of play and a very good routine. I just don't know why she's doing these things.

Any advice or suggestions?

[JayF]

To me it sounds like she is claiming these things. I would suggest using NILIF to aid in establishing a pack order. Additionally, if the walks are not structured it would be helpful to do so. If this is not an issue of not being able to relieve herself enough then it is most likely a claiming issue.

[Curbside Prophet]

She has a big walk over lunch time so there is no reason for accidents. But these don't seem to be accidents because she isn't peeing by the door where she's paper trained, she's peeing where she sleeps.

Why would you think there’s no reason to eliminate? If she’s eliminating, there is a reason, and it can be as simple as…she just *needs* to go. Or it could be as complex as a medical condition. If she’s otherwise healthy, who cares what’s motivating her to pee, what are we going to do about eliminating the accidents? Perhaps remedial house training is the place to start.

Are you using a crate? How are you reinforcing peeing outside? How are you punishing the dog for accidents? Is your dog on a feeding/activity schedule?

For the first three months of her life she was with the breeder(she had a problem with her eye). She was with her mum, dad, grandma and another dog, so she was part of a pack. The breeder consciously didn't get attached to her so I suspect she spent a lot of time away from humans and only with the other dogs. Do you think that makes a difference?

Yes! And what a foolish breeder! I would suspect that if the dog wasn’t part of the family, the breeder wasn’t housetraining the dog.