[Michelle]

Hi all! I have been a member since I got Atticus 10 years ago, but haven't been active much the last couple of years. Its nice to see a few familiar users and meet all of you who have joined since I haven't been active!

Atticus is my 10 year old toy poodle and about a month ago I noticed him peeing in the house, specifically on the comforter for my bed if it is hanging low enough for him to reach it, and towels if they are left on the floor...and who knows where else that I haven't noticed. I washed all blankets, towels, cleaned the carpet etc. Ive been having to put him in a kennel at night and put belly bands on him during the day and he absolutely hates them, but until I can figure out how to help him/correct the behavior he's going to have to continue wearing them.

Nothing new has changed in our lives in that time frame that I can think of that would cause this sudden peeing...he had a urinalysis done and a general check up and he is healthy!

Any ideas to help the situation or what may be causing it?

 

[Michigan Gal]

Is there a new dog cat or person in the house? He may be marking his territory.

My only other thought is a urinary tract infection.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

Senior potty regression is normal, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. A return to basics can be helpful, with treat parties after each outside potty. This will require you to go outdoors with him so you can celebrate the moment he finishes. Otherwise he won't make the connection between pottying and reward.

Is he less active than he used to be? If he used to potty on long walks or during backyard play sessions, the absence of these physical cues can derail his potty schedule.

Have you discussed cognitive decline with your vet? This can also be a factor. We eventually put our girl on a low dose of Anipryl, but there were other subtle signs.

 

[cowpony]

Welcome back Michelle. It's hard to think of Atticus as a senior dog now. Have you noticed the urine quantity and frequency increasing? Or has he merely switched to peeing the normal amount inside instead of his previous outdoor habits?

 

[Michelle]

Is there a new dog cat or person in the house? He may be marking his territory.

My only other thought is a urinary tract infection.

No new people or animals. And he has been tested for UTI and had his kidneys checked as well. All look normal!

Senior potty regression is normal, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. A return to basics can be helpful, with treat parties after each outside potty. This will require you to go outdoors with him so you can celebrate the moment he finishes. Otherwise he won't make the connection between pottying and reward.

Is he less active than he used to be? If he used to potty on long walks or during backyard play sessions, the absence of these physical cues can derail his potty schedule.

Have you discussed cognitive decline with your vet? This can also be a factor. We eventually put our girl on a low dose of Anipryl, but there were other subtle signs.

I’ll talk with the vet about it. He is still going outside when we go on walks. But he is still peeing in the house, a full puddle, not just a small marking...maybe he just needs to start going out more frequently. He has always been able to hold it for 6-8 hours, maybe he is just getting old and can’t wait that long anymore.

The only reason I feel like there is a behavioral reason is because he is peeing on specific items. Not by the door like he needs to go out.

Welcome back Michelle. It's hard to think of Atticus as a senior dog now. Have you noticed the urine quantity and frequency increasing? Or has he merely switched to peeing the normal amount inside instead of his previous outdoor habits?

He is still peeing every time I take him outside and marks everything on our walks. I started catching on because I’d notice when I get home from work and take him out it wouldn’t be a very long of a pee for holding it 6-8 hours...so I started looking around and found pee spots.

 

[fjm]

Good to hear from you, Michelle! Has your routine changed over the last month, with the huge changes brought about by Covid-19? The other thing to check would, of course, be Cushings, which you may have already ruled out.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

The only reason I feel like there is a behavioral reason is because he is peeing on specific items. Not by the door like he needs to go out.

I think that's consistent with regression rather than incontinence. Both are common in senior pups, but regression is easier to deal with, as it just requires a return to puppy basics. Much harder when they don't have control.

 

[Dechi]

He might be having a little dog dementia. He might be peeing on specific items because they were imprinted in his brain as a puppy. Often, when dogs have accidents, they do it on soft items, like towels, bedding or anything that resembles what they peed on as tiny puppies, which might explain his choices.

If it is the start of dementia, you will be seeing other more or less subtle signs as the months/years go by.