hi can anybody help.
i have a four year old sammie bitch who
(1) seems to have a weak bladder.everytime she gets excited or shes told off she piddles a little. Shes never been struck or is not a nervous dog in any way.
(2) She steals various items from around the house ie toys,shoes, toilet rolls,potatoes and hoards them in a corner of the outhouse. She never chews them but it seems to be a sort of maternal thing cos its like shes cuddling and protecting them.

We thought this behaviour would stop as she matured but it hasn't and we are wondering if anyone elses dogs have similar traits or if it is associated with the breed,Why is she doing it?
Thanks for your help.

Hi,
1) sometimes a bitch nearing her season or heat will become a little incontinent and more excitable, and they cannot hold on to their wee so well, or she may have a mild cystitis. My old labrador always used to wet herself when one particular much loved ( by her) family friend used to visit. This was a complete mystery to both of us as he didn't give her any more fuss and attention than any other visitor, but did like her. There was no way she was at all afraid of anyone-quite the opposite!!
It may be an idea to have her checked over by a vet, just to check she doesn't have a bladder/kidney infection.

2) If she just does this stealing/guarding occasionally ( some weeks after her season?) - she may be having a phantom pregnancy. If this suggestion seems to fit in time-wise, it may be a good idea to cut her protein intake down when she comes in season, for 4-6 weeks or so, maybe mixing half her usual food with plain boiled rice, so that she has about the same quantity of food. This may "tell" her body not to have a phantom. There are homeoapthic remedies that can help phantoms. Talk to your vet about this problem as well, as although I am not a fan of routine spaying, if she has regular, severe phantom pregnancies it may be safer to have her spayed, as sometimes bitches can get an infection called pyometra if they are prone to phantoms.

If she has already been spayed, I'm stumped!!

I wish it was that simple westielover but this has been happening on a daily basis since we brought her home at 8 weeks! :D
Thanks anyway

Hi Jessie, Once had a GSD bitch that did this, must admit we learned to live with it. But I would speak the the vet about it as I now think it is hormone connected and it may be possible to help her. If you prefer not to give her hormones then you to may have to learn to live with it, but I would still have her checked out. All the best Jackie H