Puppy is urinating constantly! Need advice! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sugar&Spice · 08-11-2008, 08:33 PM

I have a ten week old female chocolate lab named Rory. She was doing really good as far as house training was going and now it seems as though she can not hold her urine. She has a healthy appetite and we feed her three times a day. She has access to water all day until 8 pm. She will run around and play and does not act like she is in any pain or discomfort.

Here is my dilemma. I take her outside frequently as she is a puppy and I realize she needs to relieve herself often. However, once outside, she will pee two to three times. I will then bring her inside and she will be sitting next to the door again within fifteen minutes. If I don't take her out (there is no way she has to go again!) she'll pee! I'll clean it up and more often then not, she'll pee again within another short period of time. She understands that she needs to go to the door and this is where she usually has her accidents.

My question...does she have a bladder infection? I called the vet and she said it could be or it could just be behavioral, but she didn't sound very concerned. Has anyone had experience with this? I don't want to spend $100 on something that is just behavioral, but I don't want her to be in pain either. There is no blood in her urine and she holds it all night while in her kennel.

PonyPotato · 08-12-2008, 02:52 AM

I think you should take her to the vet for a urine culture. Sounds like a bladder infection to me, or even stones in the bladder or kidneys. If your vet is not concerned, find a vet who is - frequent urination can be a sign of serious problems that can be fatal if not treated.

Poppinjay · 08-12-2008, 03:30 AM

Yeah, probably a bladder infection. Also, don't keep water down all day. Use ice cubes instead.

thingstodo · 08-12-2008, 01:41 PM

Or kidney issues. That is a sure sign.

shakran · 08-12-2008, 01:59 PM

She's been away from the litter for 2 weeks (or, if she's been away for longer, then you got her from an irresponsible breeder who failed to socialize her properly, which can lead to problems like this and others).

A puppy that you've had for 2 weeks is going to have accidents. EVERY time the pup wants to go out, you must take her out. Praise her heavily every time she eliminates in the yard.

When you clean up indoor spills, first take the puppy outside the minute she has an accident in the house (this will help her associate urination with outside). This means you have to watch her constantly so that you can act fast enough to form that association. Once you go to actually clean it up, use amonia to cut the smell - - when the puppy smells old urine she says "that's my bathroom."

Expect setbacks when you're training a puppy. And yes, new puppies often have to go 15 minutes after they go. Newborn babies wet their diapers all the time too. It's just part of being a puppy

Ayashe · 08-12-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

She's been away from the litter for 2 weeks (or, if she's been away for longer, then you got her from an irresponsible breeder who failed to socialize her properly, which can lead to problems like this and others).

A puppy that you've had for 2 weeks is going to have accidents. EVERY time the pup wants to go out, you must take her out. Praise her heavily every time she eliminates in the yard.

When you clean up indoor spills, first take the puppy outside the minute she has an accident in the house (this will help her associate urination with outside). This means you have to watch her constantly so that you can act fast enough to form that association. Once you go to actually clean it up, use amonia to cut the smell - - when the puppy smells old urine she says "that's my bathroom."

Expect setbacks when you're training a puppy. And yes, new puppies often have to go 15 minutes after they go. Newborn babies wet their diapers all the time too. It's just part of being a puppy

I had not considered this, but she could be associating the door area with urination. Does she ever pass her bowels there? I remember hearing something before that you should take the towels or whatever used to clean up the mess and bring them out to the preferred bathroom area. Another thought, have you changed the food from what the puppy had at previously? Some dogs are very sensitive to diet changes, though I would imagine she would have adjusted by now. A friend of mine had issues with one of her dogs having a prolapsed uterus which pressed on the bladder and made her urinate more quickly. A spay fixed that.

One of my dogs was so quiet about having to go outside that I would fail to notice at times. I taught her to bark at the door, I imagine that was an amusing site to watch. "Do you have to go potty? Woof! Woof! Potty, outside." There are times you have to get creative. I would always keep in my pocket a few kibbles of dog food or dog biscuits. It is always much more of a treat when it comes from your hand. Repeating to the dog in a positive way good dog,etc and offering a treat each time she went in the correct place.

Sugar&Spice · 08-12-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

She's been away from the litter for 2 weeks (or, if she's been away for longer, then you got her from an irresponsible breeder who failed to socialize her properly, which can lead to problems like this and others).

A puppy that you've had for 2 weeks is going to have accidents. EVERY time the pup wants to go out, you must take her out. Praise her heavily every time she eliminates in the yard.

When you clean up indoor spills, first take the puppy outside the minute she has an accident in the house (this will help her associate urination with outside). This means you have to watch her constantly so that you can act fast enough to form that association. Once you go to actually clean it up, use amonia to cut the smell - - when the puppy smells old urine she says "that's my bathroom."

Expect setbacks when you're training a puppy. And yes, new puppies often have to go 15 minutes after they go. Newborn babies wet their diapers all the time too. It's just part of being a puppy

She is actually 11.5 weeks (typo in my original post) and I have had her since she was 6.5 weeks. I noticed that her "potty" behavior drastically changed and that is why I was concerned. The breeder I got her from had a daycare and my puppy had lots of brothers and sister, plus she plays with the neighbor's dogs so she is well socialized.

I actually clean her accident spots with Nature's Miracle and then use the steam cleaner so I really don't think she is thinking that is her bathroom spot, as there is nothing to smell, but she knows that is the door I take her out of when she needs to go to the bathroom. I have an appointment with the vet tomorrow night so it should all get cleared up.

I'll try the ice cube idea though...that should hydrate her and keep her entertained.

shakran · 08-12-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar&Spice

She is actually 11.5 weeks (typo in my original post) and I have had her since she was 6.5 weeks. I noticed that her "potty" behavior drastically changed and that is why I was concerned. The breeder I got her from had a daycare and my puppy had lots of brothers and sister, plus she plays with the neighbor's dogs so she is well socialized.

6.5 weeks is /entirely/ too early to take a puppy from its littermates. Your breeder should be made aware of this.

The urination issue may or may not be behavioral, but if it is, it would not surprise me if the dog wouldn't have these issues had she been left with her litter for the appropriate amount of time.

thingstodo · 08-13-2008, 02:39 AM

Something changing dramatically is a sign that something is different. And I do agree that 6.5 weeks is a tad early to wean. A trip to the vet should help clear things up. They'll just check the ph of the urine. You might also use the crate a little more for a period of time. They generally won't go in their crate.

amonkie · 08-13-2008, 02:49 AM

I would second thingstodo - I am less hesitant to say it would be an infection if she is able to hold her bladder all night while crated. Perhaps trying to crate for a little while - say 30 mins to an hour throughout the day to help her maintain that control?

ratbastid · 08-13-2008, 03:10 AM

Yeah... The reason I wanted her checked for infection is the stuff about going outside and peeing, then fifteen minutes later having an accident at the door. It sounds to me like she wants out, but the peeing is too frequent/urgent to manage. The UTI test is simple, and I think it would be worth ruling that out before breaking your hump on a behavioral issue.

But yes, if she can go accident-free through the night in her crate, it's not that. There are people who say you should keep puppies crated pretty much all the time unless you're actively playing with them or taking them out. Seems a little strict to me, but that is one way to build the time between trips out.

The other great cleaner, btw, is a product called Nature's Miracle. It's an enzymatic cleaner that does amazing work. White bottle with red lettering. Cheapest if bought by the gallon.

genuinegirly · 08-13-2008, 09:36 AM

I know nothing about training puppies, but when training rabbits you use vinegar to make the area of the room repulsive to their sensitive nose. They will avoid that corner in general, and no longer consider it their territory. If puppies react like rabbits, I think using the odor-neutralizing nature's miracle would be a wiser choice for cleanup.

Crating works with some puppies, but some just won't stand for it. Surely if it is a bladder issue, pup would not be happy or comfortable in an even more confining situation.

Poppinjay · 08-13-2008, 09:54 AM

I heart Nature's Miracle. I also use Oxyclean for stains. It works very well. And if one of our pets has decided a certain area smells like it should have pee on it, we use white vinegar.

We didn't crate our older dog and she is very well trained. She'd bust a bladder before widdling in the house. our younger dog was tougher. We crated her after coming home one day to see her ripping off a panel of drywall in our brand new condo we had just painted. She was in puppy prison an hour later. It did nothing to correct her pee problem, she just eventually learned.

Sugar&Spice · 08-13-2008, 10:09 PM

Thanks for everyone's responses. She does indeed have an infection. We took her to see the vet tonight and they ran a urinalysis. The vet said she would have the results tomorrow and gave me antibiotics for her to take if she had it or not. I decided not to administer the antibiotics until I knew for sure she needed them. The vet called and left a message about an hour later and said that she had an infection so I went ahead and started her on the pills. I can't believe she has been able to hold it in her kennel at night (we get up about once with her) and has been running around playing so much. She has been such a trooper.

I agree that taking her away from the mother at 6.5 weeks was too early. She was advertised as being 8 weeks, but after I did the math, I figured out she was 6.5. I'm assuming that the breeder just didn't want to feed 11 puppies any longer.

ratbastid · 08-14-2008, 04:05 AM

GREAT. That's really good news.

Now, of course, nothing's handled. Puppies have accidents, it's part of the process. If she doesn't have accidents, she's not learning. But you're back inside what can be handled behaviorally now (or, will be once the antibiotics come on board).

Ayashe · 08-14-2008, 04:17 AM

Glad to hear this was an easily solved problem.

*Nikki* · 08-14-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar&Spice

I agree that taking her away from the mother at 6.5 weeks was too early. She was advertised as being 8 weeks, but after I did the math, I figured out she was 6.5. I'm assuming that the breeder just didn't want to feed 11 puppies any longer.

Actually 6 weeks is sometimes a common age to start weaning them from the mother. As long as she could eat well on her own, there is no harm done. Sounds like you are doing a good job with her and I am glad you found out what was going on with her.

PonyPotato · 08-14-2008, 02:35 PM

Glad you took her to the vet. Now you can get the primary problem taken care of and discover whether there's any behavioral issues as well.

08-11-2008, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sugar&Spice Psycho	Puppy is urinating constantly! Need advice! I have a ten week old female chocolate lab named Rory. She was doing really good as far as house training was going and now it seems as though she can not hold her urine. She has a healthy appetite and we feed her three times a day. She has access to water all day until 8 pm. She will run around and play and does not act like she is in any pain or discomfort. Here is my dilemma. I take her outside frequently as she is a puppy and I realize she needs to relieve herself often. However, once outside, she will pee two to three times. I will then bring her inside and she will be sitting next to the door again within fifteen minutes. If I don't take her out (there is no way she has to go again!) she'll pee! I'll clean it up and more often then not, she'll pee again within another short period of time. She understands that she needs to go to the door and this is where she usually has her accidents. My question...does she have a bladder infection? I called the vet and she said it could be or it could just be behavioral, but she didn't sound very concerned. Has anyone had experience with this? I don't want to spend $100 on something that is just behavioral, but I don't want her to be in pain either. There is no blood in her urine and she holds it all night while in her kennel. __________________ -Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

08-12-2008, 02:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
PonyPotato Soaring Location: Ohio!	I think you should take her to the vet for a urine culture. Sounds like a bladder infection to me, or even stones in the bladder or kidneys. If your vet is not concerned, find a vet who is - frequent urination can be a sign of serious problems that can be fatal if not treated. __________________ "Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark." — Henri-Frédéric Amiel

08-12-2008, 03:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	Yeah, probably a bladder infection. Also, don't keep water down all day. Use ice cubes instead. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

08-12-2008, 01:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Or kidney issues. That is a sure sign. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-13-2008, 02:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Something changing dramatically is a sign that something is different. And I do agree that 6.5 weeks is a tad early to wean. A trip to the vet should help clear things up. They'll just check the ph of the urine. You might also use the crate a little more for a period of time. They generally won't go in their crate. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-12-2008, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	She's been away from the litter for 2 weeks (or, if she's been away for longer, then you got her from an irresponsible breeder who failed to socialize her properly, which can lead to problems like this and others). A puppy that you've had for 2 weeks is going to have accidents. EVERY time the pup wants to go out, you must take her out. Praise her heavily every time she eliminates in the yard. When you clean up indoor spills, first take the puppy outside the minute she has an accident in the house (this will help her associate urination with outside). This means you have to watch her constantly so that you can act fast enough to form that association. Once you go to actually clean it up, use amonia to cut the smell - - when the puppy smells old urine she says "that's my bathroom." Expect setbacks when you're training a puppy. And yes, new puppies often have to go 15 minutes after they go. Newborn babies wet their diapers all the time too. It's just part of being a puppy

08-13-2008, 02:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	I would second thingstodo - I am less hesitant to say it would be an infection if she is able to hold her bladder all night while crated. Perhaps trying to crate for a little while - say 30 mins to an hour throughout the day to help her maintain that control? __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

08-13-2008, 03:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Yeah... The reason I wanted her checked for infection is the stuff about going outside and peeing, then fifteen minutes later having an accident at the door. It sounds to me like she wants out, but the peeing is too frequent/urgent to manage. The UTI test is simple, and I think it would be worth ruling that out before breaking your hump on a behavioral issue. But yes, if she can go accident-free through the night in her crate, it's not that. There are people who say you should keep puppies crated pretty much all the time unless you're actively playing with them or taking them out. Seems a little strict to me, but that is one way to build the time between trips out. The other great cleaner, btw, is a product called Nature's Miracle. It's an enzymatic cleaner that does amazing work. White bottle with red lettering. Cheapest if bought by the gallon.

08-13-2008, 09:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	I know nothing about training puppies, but when training rabbits you use vinegar to make the area of the room repulsive to their sensitive nose. They will avoid that corner in general, and no longer consider it their territory. If puppies react like rabbits, I think using the odor-neutralizing nature's miracle would be a wiser choice for cleanup. Crating works with some puppies, but some just won't stand for it. Surely if it is a bladder issue, pup would not be happy or comfortable in an even more confining situation. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

08-13-2008, 09:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	I heart Nature's Miracle. I also use Oxyclean for stains. It works very well. And if one of our pets has decided a certain area smells like it should have pee on it, we use white vinegar. We didn't crate our older dog and she is very well trained. She'd bust a bladder before widdling in the house. our younger dog was tougher. We crated her after coming home one day to see her ripping off a panel of drywall in our brand new condo we had just painted. She was in puppy prison an hour later. It did nothing to correct her pee problem, she just eventually learned. __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

08-13-2008, 10:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Sugar&Spice Psycho	Thanks for everyone's responses. She does indeed have an infection. We took her to see the vet tonight and they ran a urinalysis. The vet said she would have the results tomorrow and gave me antibiotics for her to take if she had it or not. I decided not to administer the antibiotics until I knew for sure she needed them. The vet called and left a message about an hour later and said that she had an infection so I went ahead and started her on the pills. I can't believe she has been able to hold it in her kennel at night (we get up about once with her) and has been running around playing so much. She has been such a trooper. I agree that taking her away from the mother at 6.5 weeks was too early. She was advertised as being 8 weeks, but after I did the math, I figured out she was 6.5. I'm assuming that the breeder just didn't want to feed 11 puppies any longer. __________________ -Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

08-14-2008, 04:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	GREAT. That's really good news. Now, of course, nothing's handled. Puppies have accidents, it's part of the process. If she doesn't have accidents, she's not learning. But you're back inside what can be handled behaviorally now (or, will be once the antibiotics come on board).

08-14-2008, 04:17 AM	#16 (permalink)
Ayashe Psycho	Glad to hear this was an easily solved problem.

08-14-2008, 02:35 PM	#18 (permalink)
PonyPotato Soaring Location: Ohio!	Glad you took her to the vet. Now you can get the primary problem taken care of and discover whether there's any behavioral issues as well. __________________ "Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark." — Henri-Frédéric Amiel