We recently rescued a x-breed terrier from the RSPCA who had been in there for three months. His previous owners had put him in there because their daughter had developed an allergic reaction to him, hence he was sent to the home.

He's been such a good dog since we've got him home and he is settling in very well however, just recently we discovered that our bed was absolutely soaking wet on and around our pillows. We can't understand it. All we can decide is that he has urinated on our pillows at some point whilst we have been in the house. Why is this? It got us quite angry for obvious reasons and we did shout at him but maybe that's not the right thing to do.

Can anyon help us to know WHY he has done this? He has been neutered and he's 2 years old.

I'm not a "behaviourist" but it would seem to me that he did this because of his insecurity. Being rehomed is extremely unsettling for a dog, and many seem to have the need to claim a space in the new territory. Bedding is popular for this because it smells (to a dog) very strongly of people.

Shouting at him won't help for two reasons. Firstly, you didn't catch him in the act, so he will have absolutely no idea why he's being told off, and secondly, shouting at an unsettled animal won't reassure him and help him settle down any quicker.

I have seen a book in the petshops called "Living with a Rescue Dog". I suggest you get a copy of this, and in the meantime keep him out of your bedroom.

Hope this helps.

i had the same with my staffie rescue... she would do it now if she felt insecure and could get in to the bedroom at the same time. Jean/G is spot on, try to keep him off the bed if you are out or at times you think he might freak out a bit - ie new people in the house, lots of noise, you going out etc etc :)

I must confess to being a cynic when I hear that a dog is being rehomed because a child has become allergic to it. I feel (and if I'm wrong I apologise) that in many cases it is the adults who have "become allergic" to the hard work involved in looking after a dog :(

Rescue dogs can be particularly sensitive to atmospheres in their new homes, one I know started urinating on the owners bed when tempers became stretched during the planning of a wedding, my own rescue occasionally poos in my kids bedroom if they've been misbehaving, or if hubby and I have a row! They do not do it 'on purpose' so to speak, it's a purely voluntary action that they can't help, so being angry won't help (and can add to the problem). Get the dog away out of sight so you can clear up without them sensing your anger and reading your body language, keep the bedroom door shut, and concentrate on making your self aware of any attemtps she may be making to indicate she needs to go out........

YOu took the words right out of my mouth there, Jeangenie!!! It's so easy for people to say that, sometimes it must be true, but not all of the time....

Lindsay

Hi
Sorry you are having problems..some dogs do wee on their bedding as a territorial mark..perhaps he feels that the pillows and bed is part of his bedding ?? I have my dogs on the bed so not having a go at you :)
Might be an idea to keep him off the bed for a while and put something snuggly on the floor at the side of you instead, if he wees on that no big deal..just wash it..( the joys of owning a dog)as others have said this is probably just an insecure phase which should pass,shouting at him will make matters worse.