piddle on the floor...

[Trick]

I just got an 8 yr old german shorthair a few months ago & he was supposed to be fully house trained. He is a very smart & obedient fella....maybe a lil too smart! He will not pee in the house if there is someone inside with him, but if I leave & come back in a couple hours, he will have peed on the rug in front of the door. Its like he is trying to get even with me for leaving him behind! I know that putting him in his crate when I leave would fix the problem, but does anyone else have any other ideas so I dont have to do that? Its tough to try to correct him for something that you cant catch him doing. Thank you,

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[Eric Wettschreck]

One of the big things to do is get the smell of his urine off the rug. This won't fix the problem, but it will help. Some dogs urinate in the same place out of habit. Getting the smell out will help solve the problem.

You can buy stuff at pet stores for this.

[Trick]

Thanks Boilerguy,

I did go over the area several times with a rug doctor right after I discovered it. I let him have the run of the house all night after i go to bed & he doesnt bother a bit...its just when I leave him at home for a while. I have been putting him in his crate when I leave (which he doesnt seem to mind), but I just wish there was a way to correct him so I wouldnt have to feel guilty when i have to leave the house without him for a while.

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[TRITC]

Why do you feel guilty about the crate? As long as you don't make the crate a negative place then he won't mind taking a snooze in it while you are gone. Most dogs sleep a majority of the day anyways so why not let him sleep in his crate?

[Eric Wettschreck]

This is true. The crate is a happy place.

I understand wanting to let your dog cruise around and stretch his legs, but sometimes the crate is the thing to do.

[Trick]

I know what you're saying. I would just feel better if I could let him roam so he can look out the windows or play with his toys or just be somewhat active. I gave him the test again today...I left for about 20 minutes & came home to find pee on the door again, so I guess from now on he will be spending some time in his crate. He is fine with being in there most of the time & naps in there on & off all day anyway. He just whines a lil bit when I first close the door which makes me feel a lil guilty, but I guess thats just the way it'll have to be. Thanks for your input TRITC.

[SP180]

Our 8y/o springer is always in the crate when we are not home. he is 65 lbs and would sleep on the kitchen table when we were gone and the garbage was his playground. Since crating him, all problems gone and he is ok with that. Now we have a 3 month old springer and she has learned real quick that her crate is her friend when we are sleeping and not home.

[Trick]

Ok.....crate it is! thanks

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[fishingbuddy]

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This is the best stuff for dog mistakes (Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover) You can go over 20 times with carpet cleaner and the scent is still there. My Lab darn near runs through the back of the kennel when I say kennel. Of course he gets a treat. When I get home and let him out he is happy I am happy and for a walk we go...Good luck

[Trick]

Thanks...I will be sure to look for it.