I've owned an eight month old, neutered border collie bitch from when she was eight weeks old. Recently, when we are at home she's been given more freedom to wander around the house and spends most evenings watching TV with us whilst playing with her toys. When we are not here she spends her time in the kitchen, with an open crate covered with a throw to make it like a nest and a floor covered in toys and treats. She never messes in the kitchen, even when left for long periods or overnight but recently she has started urinating (never defacating) in the house, particularly on the landing and in the lounge. Sometimes this is within twenty minutes of her coming back in from a walk or going to the toilet in the garden. I'm confused because she never has this problem when left in the kitchen. Until six months of age she was having very occasional accidents in the house (urination only) but since she was neutered six weeks ago the accidents are on the increase (this may be because she now spends more time in the rest of the house).

I am beginning to wonder if she was ever properly house trained at all and maybe that I have made mistakes on the way. I have owned rough collies and border collies before but none have ever caused me the problems that this one does. Any advice on solving this problem would be appreciated.

It may well be her age and an indication that she's about to come into season Editted = that'll teach me to not read OP - obviously seasons aren't an issue - how are you cleaning up? Some disinfectants (the ones that go white in water) aren't appropriate as they encourage the dog to 'mark' in the same position by smelling like another dogs urine........ Using biological washing powder solution will help, and wiping over with white spirit helps to remove the fatty acids that hold onto the smell.......

take her to the vets to rule out a urine infecton or bladder problem, if it is frequent.

She is spayed right, does it seem like she knows that she is going to pee? If not and it just comes out maybe she is having a problem due to being spayed early. My friends Rotty has had a problem controlling hers since she has been spayed. If there is no problem then I would only allow her in the rest of the house while on a leash (this way she is with you at all times), she may not associate the rest of the house as being hers so she is marking it. Junior would do this upstairs so if he goes up there it is only with us and not by himself, now he doesn't do it any more but we still watch him very closely. You can also feed her where she likes to pee, dogs don't like to mess where they eat and get the smell out that only lures her back to the same spot.