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Retraining Crisis---Help!!

Sent to Pet Experts June 25, 2006 11:49 p.m.

I have two black lab pups... one is 2yrs old and the other is 1yr old. Both are completely housebroken, or atleast used to be!! In the past year, since we got the younger pup, my older dog has started going #2 in the house.... normally when we are sleeping, but sometimes during the day. He no longer lets anyone know that he has to go out.... aside from this, he has always had a problem w/ submissive urination.... usually when he doesnt want to do what we want him to do... whether it be to go to the bathroom or get in the car.... anytime he thinks he is in trouble he rolls over or cowers and begins to "squirt".... my husband and I love our dogs very much... they are the only babies we have... but we are both almost at our wits end because of the mess our oldest pup is making in our house. Do you think this is because of the younger pup in the house.... what should we do???

Optional Information:
Age: 2; Male; Breed: Black Lab

Already Tried:
Positive Reinforcement, Walking more frequently, Being passive

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $15

Answer
June 26, 2006 2:35 a.m. (2 hours and 46 minutes later)

REPLIED

Hi,

I am a lab fan myself and I understand how frustrating house breaking issues are. First of all, you should have your older dog examined by a vet to make sure there are no underlying health issues. Your dog could have a UTI or other issue causing the change in housebreaking habits. If this has already been done, then it's a behavior problem. You have to go back to basics and "crate train" the dog from scratch. I will give you a link that shows how to do that. You have to be really vigilant about it or you will have a problem for years to come. Also, with the submissive urination, you need to keep your emotions calm with the dog -- no really squeaky voices, no big hellos and goodbyes until the dog has already been out to pee and no yelling at him. With a submissive urinator, you need to remove the stimulus for the urination.

www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

I hope I've been helpful. Please let me know if you have further questions.

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Dr. Lisa Boyer -- Veterinarian (DVM) -- 100% Positive Feedback on 119 Pet Accepts
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Integrative Medicine (Western and Homeopathic)

Reply to Dr. Lisa Boyer
Sent June 26, 2006 1:31 p.m. (10 hours and 55 minutes later)

These are all things that we have already been trying. Nothing seems to work... its not that my dog isn't house broken... he knows what he is doing is wrong... I know its a behavioral problem, I just dont know how to correct it. He is already crate trained and has been for the two years we've had him... I really think he is going #2 in the house to be spiteful for having the second dog... is this possible... could this be a jealous reaction to the other dog? Keeping in mind that these two dogs love each other... they are together all the time and play great together. Like I mentioned before... he usually only does #2 in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping. He goes in the exact same spot every time. Please Help!!!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Answer
June 26, 2006 3:53 p.m. (2 hours and 22 minutes later)

ACCEPTED

Hi,

It is possible that he is being spiteful, but I doubt it. If he goes #2 in the house every night in the evening when you go to bed, why not crate him at night? It seems the reasonable thing to do......I would crate him every night in your room (crate the other dog separately too...don't show him preferential treatment) for 2-4 weeks. If you crate him, he can't defecate at night. Sometimes dogs need a reminder of past training......

I hope I've been helpful.....

Dr. Lisa Boyer -- Veterinarian (DVM) -- 100% Positive Feedback on 119 Pet Accepts
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Integrative Medicine (Western and Homeopathic)

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