Thought we had cracked it but my 5 month pup has started weeing when left.  She only spends the odd hour or so without us apart from when I go to work.  She is with my other dog in a large utility room when left.  She goes from 10pm - 6am at night now dry.  I work for 4 hours twice a week 9.30 til 1.30.  My dogwalker friend comes in to let her out at 11.30 and give her her dinner for me on both days.  She tells me she is does two wees and is dry when she gets here.  When I return she has done a wee on the floor.  She always taps the door when she wants to go out to tell me she needs to go so she understands outside is a toilet.  Is 2 hours too much to ask her at 20 weeks old to hold on?
Some people say leave paper down but isnt this telling her its ok to go in the house? She always goes to loo before I leave her and is usually walked before to help her relax.  She is a very laid back and happy puppy. 

> Some people say leave paper down but isnt this telling her its ok to go in the house?

Yep, you are right - DONT LEAVE PAPER dOWN!!!!! I made that dreadfull mistake and it only taught the dog to wee ON things in the house :( :( He is now 2 & half years old and still has 'accident's on my sofa (sofa, rug, doormat, his bed -anything soft & absorbent)

I don't know what to suggest to help, but I do know that paper/puppy pads is a baaaaad idea.

I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions from others.

> She goes from 10pm - 6am at night now dry.

Wow, well done :)

I have always said never to use paper but wondered if it would encourage her to go there rather than floor or bedding.  I know that their bodies are resting at night so its easier for holding on to their wee, can't help but wonder why she can't hold it for more than 2 hrs, sometime less.  I had a wee sample done to check for infection, clear. 
Maybe set up a recorder to see if she is getting stressed or upset?
May try a dap - she is so chilled when I leave her tho.  So many questions I asked myself!! LOL

> I know that their bodies are resting at night so its easier for holding on to their wee,

Think that coul dwell be the reason.

Even though Buster will wee in the house, it's only if he has woken before me. There have been a few times whn I have been ill, got out of bed & slept on the sofa cuddled up to the dog, slept untill noon and Buster had stayed asleep with me and not widdled, that's him holding it for over 12hrs!! But If the 7:30am weekady alarm clcok wakes him before me, he wees in the house.

Maybe it's just going to take time for her to be able to hold it during the waking day-time hours, she is still very young yet. But you still have the worry of trying to stop the accidents being habbit forming.....ummmm (thinking)......The recorder maight be a good idea, you can see/hear what she is up to, so if she is romping around simply leaving her a more peacefull activity (kong etc.) may be enough to keep her settled until you're home (thinking along the lines of a wee usually following play-times)?

As long as this is a wipe clean floor I'd be inclined to live with it for a while and do not use paper.  It's not unusual to still have accidents at this age but, from the sounds of it, she's really getting the hang of 'holding on' so this might just be your last hurdle.

When you come in, can you tell if it's a recent wee?  She may simply hear you coming home and let go in all the excitement.  Bear in mind she'll follow the cues from your older dog who'll will know it's you from the minute your car pulls up or the gate opens.  Plenty of time for your pup to wake up and go.

The other thing is that this is probably a part of the day when she'd usually be quite active, perhaps she just can't hang on as long at this time, particularly after lunch?  You could possibly leave her feed until you get in at 1.30pm and just ask the dogwalker to give her a small snack instead - to keep her going.

Good luck.  Your girl is way ahead of my boy - he puppy pee'd right on through 6 months!!

Tried something yesterday as the dogwalker had told me she couldnt call round due to snow.  I left her for just under 3 hours after an early breakfast, then a walk to school and back and a final wee.  She was in her bed when I came in, got out, big stretch waggy tail... yes! I thought, great then I saw a wet bit under her bed, she had weed in her bed.  Its usually the floor.  She had been left with a lamb rib blade cos she tackles a kong in minutes.
Suppose I just have to live with it for now but.................definetaly no paper tho!  :-)

I agree absoultely with what others have said re paper/puppy pads etc.  Hadn't used it til Gosh about 2 1/2 years ago.  Never had so many toilet problems. 
I also think hormones and stres have a lot to do with it.  Heidi, when coming into season needs to go more - way before there are any physical signs [any others that is] Think about us humans too LOL. She has had 'accidents' in all sorts of places she wouldn't dream of going usually - hopefully. She's now outgrown this as she is fully mature at 3 1/2 yrs old.  Another factor, I think, in her weeing indoors was a stressful confrontation with our, then, other young bitch [now re-homed] there were lots of fights and challenges increasing stress levels that can cause any animal to empty bladders and bowels.  Stress can be good as well as bad - you arriving home is goood stress, but still stress.  Maybe trying to ignore her a little not making too much fuss [very hard I know] could give her time to control herself as you let her out.  Only really interact and praise her when you get home after she's 'been' outside - give very little contact til then.
Don't forget that, just like humans, babies develop in different ways at different times; whilst she is learning to be such a good girl her brain and interactions are developing, she can't necessarily also be developing bladder control.  Be happy that she's such a lovely companion and be patient.  All will cone together eventually.

I'm sure it will come in the end, I can't do anymore to prevent it happening on the two days she is left for a few hours, even after my friend has called to let her out.  She is a very chilled out puppy and am convinced that stress is nothing to do with it.  I always return to her asleep in her bed looking very relaxed.  I shall give it time and enjoy her, she is faultless in every other way.

I have to admit when I am out of the house I put my 17 week old pup in her play pen with paper so she has somewhere to wee.  While i'm at home no paper is down because she is housetrained in that respect - I let her out when she needs to go.  However when i'm out and she needs a wee i'd much prefer her to have an area where she knows it is 'ok' to go.

After many. many years of owning and training dogs this method has never failed me.  Once out of the puppy stage I have never had a problem with my adult dogs and the only time accidents have occured is if they have been poorly.

Funny you should say that, the same advice was given to me from a lady who helps run the rotty rescue where she came from. She advised using paper during the day if I think she is likely to go. She did say she wouldnt use paper until the pup understands the concept of asking to go outside.  She does not have accidents when we are here and hasnt for many weeks now.
She is toilet trained when we are here, she hits the door with her foot and looks at me, she goes out and 'goes' straight away.  I am wondering that while she is getting stronger bladder wise, maybe she should have 'somewhere to go' if she is going to go anyway inside.
She went last night from 10.15 until 7am (she scratches her bed when she wants to go out) What a little star.

My 17 week old pup is a Rottie aswell.  I just think it is better that she knows she can go if there is paper...if there is no paper then she shouldn't but I can't expect her to hold her bladder for too long.

Well, today I went to work for 4 hours.  My friend called round to see to her and let her out after 2 hours, she was dry when she came and was dry when I got home. I left some paper down today but she didnt go on it - long may it last!

Barking Mad  Respect for your rottie trainer - this sounds like 'sound' advice.
She did say she wouldnt use paper until the pup understands the concept of asking to go outside.  She does not have accidents when we are here and hasnt for many weeks now.

> Well, today I went to work for 4 hours.&nbsp; My friend called round to see to her and let her out after 2 hours, she was dry when she came and was dry when I got home. I left some paper down today but she didnt go on it - long may it last! <IMG class=qButton title="Quote selected text" alt="Quote selected text" src="/images/mi_quote.gif" width=20 height=10>

Hurray!

The advice came from the lady that helps run a Rottweiler rescue, she is very knowledgeble and I am grateful to her in many respects.  She has a huge understanding of this very misunderstood breed and found us the perfect dog for our ever growing family!

I would never use paper normally but it just shows that for certain circumstances it can work. 

Thanks all for your responses.
Lisa