housebreaking 6mo old

[jazzking1971]

I am dog sitting my Pup's littermate. She came on Saturday and we had no issues with having accidents in the house. Then yesterday she started going everywhere in the house.

I have this pup until next wednesday night and cleaning up after her is frustrating. I've been crating her but as soon as she comes out she'll pee right outside the crate or on the way to the door.

She's spent plenty of weekends here before without issue.

Is she doing this because she's upset?

[hokisteph5]

She could be upset, but I seem to remember that what you've described could also be caused by an UTI. Once mine were reliable the only accidents they've had were when they haven't felt well. Is there any way you could get her seen by a vet and get reimbursed by her owner?

[moondog]

Since this is out of character for her, I'm inclined to wonder if she is cooking a urinary tract infection. It doesn't sound like she can hold it when let out of the crate.

[jazzking1971]

That's a good thought, I'll have her checked by the vet. Owner is out of the country but I'm not worried about getting reimbursed especially in the case of a sick pup.

However, peeing isn't the only thing she's been doing which is why I think she's upset about something more than being sick.

[moondog]

Well, since it's not an unfamiliar environment for her, I still think it sounds like a UTI and she should definitely see a vet. Dogs that are housbroken are very uncomfortable when they have an accident.

What do you think is her "reasoning" for peeing as soon as she comes out of the crate?

[jazzking1971]

Originally Posted by moondog

Well, since it's not an unfamiliar environment for her, I still think it sounds like a UTI and she should definitely see a vet. Dogs that are housbroken are very uncomfortable when they have an accident.

What do you think is her "reasoning" for peeing as soon as she comes out of the crate?

I think she doesn't like being crated. She's the only dog I have to crate in my house and isn't regularly crated in her house. I left them out together one night and all the puppies did was run in and out of the dog door so I put her in the crate at night and all is well and we can sleep.

[jazzking1971]

would she be doing this because she's begining to start her heat cycle? Can't get into the vet until tomorrow unless this is an emergency and I don't think it is.

The pups are 6 month 3 weeks. I've been noticing really really small drops of blood in the house which could be UTI but could it be the begining of her cycle?

How do I know? I have two male dogs in the house, a pug and her littermate (my pup). My rottie pup is not neutered so if this is the case I have something to worry about. The owners of this puppy are in europe and I am unable to contact them. My males dogs aren't going crazy over the female pup...not yet anyway.

[Sharon Marples]

Be very careful, I would suspect that she may be starting her heat cycle AND that she has a UTI to go along with it. If at all possible, take a urine sample into the vet with you, they will need one to diagnose a UTI.

Make whatever arrangements you need to have just in case she is coming into season. If this is her first cycle, her scent may not be very strong just yet, but it will get there and your boys will be very interested. Make sure you have a plan so you can keep them separated for at least 3 weeks once you determine if she is really in season. She CAN get pregnant on her first cycle!

[moondog]

It is possible she's starting her first heat cycle. You would normally see some swelling in her vulva and perhaps a bit of blood at the tip. If you don't know, you had best err on the side of caution and keep her separate from any intact males...period.

It's also possible that she is both coming into heat AND has a UTI - so I still think she should see a vet. My puppy did not forget her housebreaking when she first came into heat, but she did pee a bit more often than usual.

If this puppy cannot hold her urine, is squatting frequently to pee small amounts, I still say UTI is a possibility. If she does have one, they are very painful.

[fostermom]

I've had (very) housebroken dogs pee inside when in stressfull situations. Given that she is in a (somewhat) new environment, possibly going into heat, I'm wondering if this might be the case with her....but I also agree with everyone else that frequently pee accidents in housebroken dogs are due to UTIs. Obviously it's best to rule out UTIs....you might want to also start leashing her to you when she is out of her crate to help prevent additional accidents.

[jazzking1971]

Originally Posted by fostermom

I've had (very) housebroken dogs pee inside when in stressfull situations. Given that she is in a (somewhat) new environment, possibly going into heat, I'm wondering if this might be the case with her....but I also agree with everyone else that frequently pee accidents in housebroken dogs are due to UTIs. Obviously it's best to rule out UTIs....you might want to also start leashing her to you when she is out of her crate to help prevent additional accidents.

I just returned from the vet. No UTI, not going into heat. The small droplets of blood could have been from anything, cut pad, broken nail, tooth etc... He thinks she's stressed out. He mentioned the pup seems like a different pup from what he saw a month ago and she seems more nervous with me.

He suggested I bring her for walks alone to bond with me so she learns to not be so dependant on her littermate, my pup. BTW- no accidents yesterday.

Thank you for your replies. I'm gonna drive to the mountains go for a hike with only her.