Can anyone please give me an insight into why my otherwise adorable 7year old Bichon bitch wets the living-room carpet at night? She is allowed to sleep with us, so is never shut out of our room, and has 24hour access to the garden via the cat-flap. She displays no other behavioural problems and is a very much-loved member of the family. She will often go for periods of six months or so without doing this, and then suddenly start up again for no apparent reason. Strangely enough, my mother also owns a Bichon who does exactly the same! Are they just lazy or perhaps afraid of the dark? Are there any other Bichon owners out there experiencing the same thing? I'd love to hear from you and any suggestions will be gratefully received!

Does the problem occur around the time of her season? I think bitches tend to pee more at that time.

A urinary tract infection can cause any animal to start inappropriate weeing - she may not appear to be ill, but a low grade infection will still give the same symptoms. She ought to be checked by a vet and possibly treated with anti biotics.....

Fran

Or she may just have decided its warmer to pee on the carpet then it is to go out the back garden in the middle of the night!
Close all the doors downstairs and just leave her access to the garden.

dear jessie--thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my problem. Out of the suggestions received, knowing Chloe I think you've hit the nail on the head! The only problem is there is no door to shut between the living-room carpet and the cat-flap, so it looks like i'll just have to put up with a soggy carpet! But hey---my problems are nothing compared to the sheep killer!!