I have a 13 month old male lab. He is very well toilet trained and has been since we got him at 13 weeks, with only 2 accidents in the house when he was a pup. We were very lucky with him that he got it straight away!

So for the past 10 months (approx) he hasn't had one single accident in the house....until two nights ago. Woke up yesterday morning and this morning to find he had wee'd in the kitchen. It's not like him at all and I can't help but be a bit worried about him.

We haven't changed the time we put him to bed or wake him up, feed him etc.

Any thoughts?

I would pop him to the vet just to be sure it's not an infection, then perhaps go back to crate training for a bit. I have a girl of nearly 2 who tends to forget from time to time overnight, and I find crating for a few nights kicks the habit again. Also, there might be noises nearby, birds feeding nestlings, a new dog in a nearby house barking perhaps, that are disturbing him?

My first thought was a urine infection, but he's only had accidents at night; I would have thought that if it were an infection he would have an accident during the day too.

I'll try him back in his crate tonight and if he does it again tonight then i'll take him to the vets tomorrow.

During the day he is able to go out maybe a few times during the day. At night it is a longer period and so more likely to not be able to hold on. I would suspect it is an infection and wouldn't confine him to a crate as if that is his safe haven then if he has to wee and does it in his crate it may cause him more stress.

Get a sample and pop him to your vets .

How easy / hard is it to get a sample or urine?

Would i literally wait until he is weeing then slip a cup underneath?

Just thinking aloud here. My FCR has been clean from 8 1/2 weeks old (dont know how lol)  BUT.... about 6-12 months ago, she went outside as normal with the others and came into the living room and pee'd on the floor (not just a drop this was a full wee), about 10 mins later there was the biggest clap of thunder i have ever heard followed by lightening. Could just have been a coincidence but im sure the two were connected. She's never done it since (she's 3 years old btw). Ruling out anything medical obviously but there is there a possibility he could have been spooked ?

He can sometimes be a bit nervey around people he doesnt know and can sometimes get spooked by new things that appear in the house (a hellium balloon and a pair of boots have been the latest things that he has taken a real dislike to).

He sleeps in the kitchen that has patio doors that look out into the garden. I suppose it's possible that a prowler could have looked through the patio doors (I hope not!!) Or he's maybe seen a cat that's got him excited.

Although I've never seen him wee through fear or excitement before.

I've just spoken to the vet. She said if he does it again tonight then I should take him in tomorrow to be checked over. Also to keep an eye on what he is eating and drinking incase he has loss of appetite.

>How easy / hard is it to get a sample or urine?
>Would i literally wait until he is weeing then slip a cup underneath?

Yep! Much easier with a dog than a bitch!

I got the wee sample, easy peasy!!

He has been moving around very slowly today and seemed very needy. I took him to the vets and he has got an infection :( Got him on antibiotics now so hopefully he will start to feel better soon.

Aw, poor lad. But at least you've caught it nice and early and he should be on the mend soon. :-)

I'm so glad I didn't put him back in his crate. Now I know he was saying "I'm poorly mum"!!