Suddenly Pottying in the House Again?

[misszekee]

Please excuse me if this is in another thread, the search function isn't working for me at the moment.

I've heard of other dogs experiencing this in old age, and even had a past dog have accidents not long before her time to pass on. My issue now however is I have a 7 yr old GSD/Lab who has started using our living room as her restroom. Just the living room! We've been leaving a baby gate up so she can't get out there and there hasn't been an issue of "accidents" anywhere else.

This morning, we woke up, I marched her straight outside thinking she would do her business and be done. Little did I know the baby gate wasn't up and not five minutes later I found a pee spot in the living room. This behavior had popped up all within the last two months.

Any ideas or advice?

[misszekee]

Whoops sig dates the last time I posted here just a bit....haha

[Courtney]

Has a UTI been ruled out?

[Jax08]

Peeing? Or both? Is she spayed? If pee, is it a leak or a full release?

1) If she's leaking, I would look at spay incontinence
2) UTI
3) My girl, 12 years old, has early stage CRF and her peeing (only at night) is a symptom of that, plus I think she has a bit of dementia as well

[misszekee]

I haven't ruled out a UTI with a vet yet. The only unsual symptom she's currently exhibiting is choosing to go out in the living room. When it's pee (it has been both however) its a full release, NOT just leaking.

I know I sound like a kook when I say I wonder if this is just behavioral (is the possible? Likely?) because she has no other accidents or issues when the baby gate is up, and he does not hve access to this room. This morning sent off alarms because she chose to come inside, after just being put out, to do her business. The door to the yard still open and easily accessible.

[Jax08]

It's more likely that it is a physical problem than a behavioral one unless something has drastically changed in your household like a new puppy, baby, etc..

I thought it was strictly dementia with Banshee but a blood test showed CRF. Now, with other things happening with her, getting a UA done was impossible and we missed the two free weeks we had to do because DH can't remember anything, now she has a UTI and we have to wait again.

I would take her into the vet and get a UA done on her.

The reason it's probably in the same room is she can smell the 'residue' so continues to go there. What are you cleaning it up with?

[misszekee]

Thank you Jax for the advice!

I've been cleaning it up with a carpet cleaner that supposedly takes away pet odor but you're right, she may be still smelling it and returning to the spot. I have thought about that being a motive for this room but figured that fact alone didn't mean health issue. It doesn't hurt to make a trip to the vet to be sure so that seems to be the next step!

[Bismarck]

you'll need something that chemically breaks down the smell.
petpeople sells stuff like this, as does petsmart.

if all results come back negative from the vet, you'll have to go outside with her and make sure she goes, and not just going through the motions.

[Jax08]

I've heard 50/50 mixture of vinegar/water works to breaks down the enzymes as well.