pees when we're on the phone

[Tank's Grandma]

Tank is 4 months old now, and for the most part is doing very well with his potty training. the only time we have accidents it's usually our fault, he goes to the door, we aren't paying attention, or are busy doing something, and he'll have an "oops". Our bad.
However......more than once now, when my daughter or I were on the phone, and therefore taking a break from giving him our undivided and adoring attention which of course he wants he will walk right in front of us, squat and pee. Now I know in potty training you just grab them in the act take them outside, praise them when they go where they're suppoed to. But this seems like deliberate attention getting. Do we just treat it the same way?
Suggestions please. I don't want to upset the 'normal' housebreaking by reacting in the wrong way.
Thanks,
Tank's Grandma

[LavenderRott]

When it is obvious that this is a blatant demand for your attention, assuming that you have a cordless phone, I would grab his collar, take him outside immediately, while telling whoever is on the other end you will call them back. Then I would proceed to explain to this young man that his behavior is unexceptable. Don't hit him, but don't be quiet about it. In your loudest, sternest voice, ask him who the h#** he thinks he is. And then explain to him, all the way out the door, who the h#** you are.

[spidey]

IMO, you should treat it the same way. Just because it seems like attention-getting behaviour doesn't mean it actually is (we tend to attribute human motives to dog behaviour rather more easily than is fair or warranted, as far as I'm concerned - I think having an accident on purpose to get attention requires a bit more complex thought than dogs generally employ - they usually use more direct methods, like barking at you), and anyway, a housebreaking accident is a housebreaking accident, and should be treated as such (barring medical issues of course).

Also, in case you weren't joking about the "undivided attention" comment - I very strongly suggest you start getting Tank used to being alone (in his crate, x-pen or a small, enclosed, puppy-proofed room), starting with short periods and gradually increasing them. You're not doing him any favours by giving him your undivided attention all the time.

[Carina43]

Even when I thought Cooper was housetrained, he would follow me into the bathroom (for whatever :D ) and promptly pee on the floor. It was like he thought it was OK as long as I was going too...

There were several times when I abruptly finished what I was doing and hustled him straight outside to do what he needed to do....

I guess is you already suspect he might pee when you get on the phone, you could have a leash handy, put it on and give him a quick NO, SHAME ON YOU if he starts to squat. Just so he understands the ground rules!

[Tank's Grandma]

Amanda/Spidey,
I was being a little sarcastic about the undevided attention. Tank does spend time alone, well, not quite entirely alone, as we have another dog that he is with at all times.....but he spends time outside, and yes, the yard is fenced and puppy proof. He lives with a house full of adults, and hey, we all have to work for a living. Fortunately we all have different schedules, so he's never alone for huge stretches of time.
He spends plenty of time when he's in the house just laying on his pillow, chewing on his toys or nylabones, leaving us alone as well......I was merely making a joking remark about his undying devotion to us.
Tank's Grandma

[Rott-Wiley]

I also want to add that now that you think you have seen a pattern in when he is going to go, why not take him out before the accident does happen? The less accidents he does have in the house, the quicker he will be more reliable about going outside also.

[moondog]

My thought is the same as Rott-Wiley's. If perchance he has made a connection between peeing in front of you and getting attention, you can easily eliminate the whole problem by being pro-active instead of re-active. By now you have an idea how long he can wait.....take him out before that time is up, stay out until he goes, and then love him up for it. That's the kind of behavior you want him to seek attention for.

If your timing is off and he does go in front of you, I tend to go with Lavender Rott's suggestion. I'd be very firm so he knew I meant business, but not so explosive that it scared him. Take him out, stay out until he goes, and then give him all that love. :)