Hi All,

I posted a notice about a month ago about my cocker spaniel messing in the house. Well he's still doing it, he's 6 mths now and still wee's on the floor during the night. In the day he's fine, it's just during this time. We've tried getting up
regulary to see if we can cop him in the act, we've taken up the paper. We feed him earlier and still no good!

If anyone has any suggestions, it would be much appreciated. He is perfect except for this.

Many Thanks

Claire

Hi Claire,

Where is his 'bed', is he left to roam the house or does he have a restricted area?

Hi There,

He's in a bed in the Kitchen. It's quite a large kitchen so he's got plenty of room to wonder. For some reason he usually wee's by the back door, then goes round the breakfast bar and wee's by the sink- same places every night!!!

I think I might try using washing powder. I usually mop up the wee, so the smell should be gone. I'm just worried that he may have bladder problems. It's probably more laziness though. I have run out of ideas so i'll use the washing powder and let you know.

Thanks for your help!!

Try limiting the area he has to roam. A crate would be good for this, he's weeing by the back door is a good sign, as he's obviously learnt where he needs to be....... Cleaning with a biological washing powder solution will help eliminate 'marking' behaviour, and a wipe down with white spirit helps even more..... How has he been housetrained up to now? (ie what technique have you been using, some techniques don't always get the message over that going outside is the best thing :( ) I doubt it's laziness - he's trying to get close to where he's supposed to go, and once that is 'soiled' he's having to find a clean spot (doesn't want to get his paws wet - smart pup!) If he had a UTI you'd probably have problems during the day as well - but it wouldn't do any harm to get a vet to check his urine for an infection, which is often the cause of inappropriate weeing...

Good luck

Hello There,

I was thinking about getting a crate, but was unsure whether this would upset him as he's not used to it. I might have to try this method as I'm running out of other ideas.

Well we trained by taking him outside every hour or so, when he messed we said "busy boy"- he then learnt that everytime he messed in the right place we'd say "busy boy" and give him a treat. In the day when he need the toilet he sits by the back door, where we let him out to do his mess. But of a night of course, we don't know until it's too late. He never gived us any indications either. I know he tries by doing it at the back door- bless him.

The vet said that at his age he shouldn't be messing during the night and that we need to put a stop to it now, otherwise he'll keep doing it. That's why I'm starting to panic.

Hi Claire

My friend was having similar problems with her Dogue de Bordeaux an was told by the vet that washpowder often helps. If he has messed put it where he has messed and supposedely they wont do it in the same place again. My friend carried on doing this until he was near the door. As for feeding etc it seems you are doing everything possible good luck

Michelle:)

Does he need to sleep in the kitchen overnight? Could you let him sleep upstairs with you? This could lead to another set of problems I know, i.e. once you've got him clean overnight he probably won't want to go back to the kitchen. I found with my whippet that he was cold and lonely in the kitchen overnight and would wee there every night despite being clean during the day. Since we've let him sleep in the bedroom he's stopped doing this. Only occasionally does he need the loo and for some reason I can sense him getting up and can get up myself and and let him out.

It's a bit of a poor compromise I know, but in case all else fails. Maybe just have a re-think about keeping him in the kitchen at nights. Is there anywhere else in the house where he may feel more secure and will sleep through the night, warm and snug.

Hi Nicola,

We've tried him a couple of times upstairs with us and he never seems to settle for some reason. Maybe I could let him stay in the Living room. You may well be right about him being lonely, and I know he'd definately be more snug there. I'm just worried that he will start weeing on the carpet- even though he hasn't done this in a long time. I guess it is worth a try though.

I might try him upstairs with us again tonight and see if he can settle, otherwise i'll try the lounge.

Thanks for your help!