Help! Dogs unable to control bladder

erik · 08-29-2008, 11:28 AM

I have a 1 year old Affenpinscher and a 3 year old Brussels Griffon. I just adopted the Brussels Griffon about 3-3.5 weeks ago and they have been getting along great. However, in the past week they have both started to have accidents in the house.

The Affenpinscher had not had an accident in months until this past week. The Brussels I am not so sure about because I just adopted him. Neither of the dogs had ever pooped in the house until recently. I try to follow a fairly strict schedule, but perhaps I have not been following it as closely as I should.

Both of the dogs are males, but both are fixed. Do I have a problem on my hands? Is this some sort of male dominance thing? The affenpinscher has pee'd on my sheets twice in the past week. It's like he can't control his bladder. He has stopped telling me when he needs to go out.

Fortunately, I started crate training with the two of them and they do very well during the day (no pee stains), even though I am sometimes gone for up to 9-10 hours straight. And I do limit their access to water during the day and even at night now that they are having these issues.

Oh, I also bought that D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromones) dispenser and plugged it in about 5 days ago. Hasn't helped at all - I think its a very expensive scam. Anyone have any experience with it?

Criosphynx · 08-29-2008, 11:33 AM

Hi... I don't think its a male dominance thing. If one dog has an accident in a multidog household, you'll often find, they all will start. Since now there is a new potty area!

What did you use to clean the spot? Natures miracle or other cleaners made specifically for accidents are what you want to use.

Its possible your new dog has a urinary tract infection. This makes it so they can't hold it. It would be a good idea to have a vet look at him.

As far as the D.A.P.. i haven't used it, but i know that the cat version is very effective, so i doubt its too big a rip off.

Start from square one, and be consistant about a schedule and you will probably get better results

Good luck

erik · 08-29-2008, 11:40 AM

I've been using 409 and some other dog spot cleaning solution. I think I'll wash my carpet this weekend. However, for the sheets I had washed them after he pee'd on them the first time and then I had them on the carpet in front of the closet and he went over and pee'd on them. I love my dogs, but this starting from scratch housebreaking thing better just be a fad.

Criosphynx · 08-29-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erik

I've been using 409 and some other dog spot cleaning solution. I think I'll wash my carpet this weekend. However, for the sheets I had washed them after he pee'd on them the first time and then I had them on the carpet in front of the closet and he went over and pee'd on them. I love my dogs, but this starting from scratch housebreaking thing better just be a fad.

Washing the carpet is a good idea.

You got a new dog. If you don't want to start from scratch you shouldn't have gotten a new dog. Its not going to magically behave like the existing dog.

Like i said before, your dog may have a UTI. YOu should have a vet look at your new dog to rule out any medical issues.

erik · 08-29-2008, 01:59 PM

hmm...Maybe I used the wrong subject. The dogs hold their bladder while I'm at work just fine. It's only when I'm home that I have the problem.

And, the dog that I have had for 8 months, who was house broken, is also having accidents. Perhaps more then the newly adopted dog. That's why I was thinking that this might be some sort of behavioral issue.

Elana55 · 08-29-2008, 02:35 PM

you had a house trained dog, but the new dog apparently is not house trained. Soooo... he went in the house. Hmm.. house trained dog is like, "well, it must be OK to do that..." and so does.

Here is the solution I would try:

1.) Get a product such as Nature's Miracle. It is an enzyme cleaner and clean any and every spot with it. Then clean the entire house.

2.) ONLY allow the dogs out of their crates one at a time and ONLY when you can supervise them (just like having a puppy again). Give no opportunity for mistakes. Take the dog out and when he goes outside (either dog) praise with reward of food and petting.. make like they just pooped solid gold (or pee'd platinum).

3.) IF a dog makes a mistake and you see it happening, interrupt and get the dog OUT. Praise for finishing up outside.

4.) NEVER let either dog out of your sight in the house. Become the best dog watcher in the world. Use the SAME door and make them walk out on their own to go do their jobs. Shut off rooms or do whatever you must to contain the dogs in the area where you can see them at all times. If necessary, tie the dog to you.

I have to say that I have seen more house breaking issues than I thought possible since joining the DF. It is amazing.... I either must be good at housebreaking dogs or I am just very very lucky.

Or I simply believe that prevention is 9/10ths of the cure and simply don't allow the dog to go in the house with tremendous vigilence and perseverance.

erik · 09-07-2008, 02:49 PM

Update:

Took the new pup to the vet and she tested his urine and found out that he has "crystals" in his urine. Now it's being sent off for further testing to find out if its a urinary tract infection. Today he pooped and there was some blood in his feces. I heard that this is common for dogs that have urinary tract infections, so I am going to call my vet and let her know tommorrow and get him on some anti-biotics asap.

She suggested putting the dog on some perscription dog food that is very expensive. I already buy him AvoDerm which is pretty good and slightly expensive. Anyone have any experience with dogs who have urinary tract infections?

briteday · 09-07-2008, 04:07 PM

There was just another thread about urinary crystals a few days ago. You might do a serach at the top of the page. First you need to ask what kind of crystals they found. There are some crystals that form because of acid or alkaline urine conditions, and some of that can be adusted with food or supplements. There are also some crystals that are only found when a dog has a UTI. Cure the UTI and you get rid of the crystals. And then there are some breeds that are just prone to forming crystals. There were some web links in the other thread that had excellent info.