unexplained potty accidents - YorkieTalk.com Forums

hsmom · 12-22-2005, 06:04 PM

Hello,

My sweet little Sophie (just turned 6) has just begun going potty all over the house. I have had her to the vet and a urinalysis was done - it showed nothing. It all started after her last grooming, a week ago - out of the clear blue - but the vet doesn't see any relationship between the two. She goes in the hall and bedrooms, not in the living room or kitchen,

which is curious. At first we didn't get after her because I was convinced that she had a bladder infection and she is so good about not having accidents. We have two other yorkies and we are certain that it is Sophie. Any ideas of what could be going on? If it is behavioral, what the heck happened all of a sudden. It is like she knows it is bad because of the places she goes. If it was an issue of not being able to "hold" It, she would go in places like the living room. The other weird thing is that she goes through the night without an accident in my daughter's room. I am frustrated!

RowdysMom · 12-22-2005, 07:40 PM

I'm probably not going to be much help - but I had a poodle years ago who would go in the house if something changed. When I had my daughter, he started going in front of her bedroom door. When my husband's sister came to stay with us for a few weeks, he started going in her room. If your baby checks out healthwise (and it sounds like she has), then has anything else in the household changed that might have upset her?

momofreese · 12-22-2005, 08:54 PM

Hi, I am pretty new to YT but will post about a similar situation that I had with Reese. It always seems that when she comes back from a groomer, various groomers, different places, she does the same thing as yours. I don't know if it is because she is angry for going (which I doubt), or smells other dogs urine at the groomer and then gets confused, or it is always a coincidence.

I know that she has had setbacks for various reasons, but has thankfully always gone back to herself. I remember when we had another yorkie in our home (who urinated on my wood floors) even though I had cleaned it with water and vinegar, natures miracle and whatever else I can get my hands on) she still decided that she should start doing the same thing. Not even near the other dog accident. Again, this happened a couple of times and then she went back to being herself.

I know I didn't help much, but I am sure this will pass very soon. Lots of luck.

hsmom · 12-31-2005, 01:29 PM

I contacted my breeder and she thinks that these accidents are related to her grooming experience. (way back to December 12th - almost one month ago!) I checked her bottom when she came home from the groomer and didn't see anything had been shaved too closely or any irritation. The vet looked as well. She does fine if we let her out a lot. Today there has been two accidents though.

I want to put a bell or something by the door that will alert the rest of us that she needs to go out. She isn't a barker or whinner when it comes time to let us know she needs to go out. Prior to the grooming she didn't need to go out very often - so we are trying to let her out a lot now. Any suggestions as to what to use by the door other than a bell?

I didn't mention in the original post that my youngest yorkie, Rosie, came home acting weird as well. She loves her crate and she came home not liking it and whimpered when she was put into it. This is all to weird to be just a coincidence. We have had this groomer for 28 years so I know that she didn't get mean with my girls. But before the groomer arrives to work, she has people that bathe the dogs and gets them ready for her.

I should mention that my middle yorkie didn't come home with any issues - she is a tough cookie - nothing bothers her!

Finally, a sad note to the email from my breeder. She had sold a puppy to a lady for Christmas. The lady took the puppy to be bathed and trimmed and when she picked it up later that day, the puppy couldn't walk or even stand up. The goomer denied that anything had happened. The vet told the lady that the dog had a broken neck and had to be put down - how sad! All of this makes me want to learn to groom me own girls.

Lorraine · 01-05-2006, 05:12 PM

Puppy with the broken neck probably fell off the grooming table or was in the grooming loop when it jumped off and that will break a neck. Yep you really do have to pick experience groomers, owner/operator are the best if you can find one.
As to the sudden potty training problems, I wonder if there may be bladder stones. I don't know if a urinalysis would always show up an infection if stones are present. An xray will show stones if they are there. My first Yorkie had stones at about 7 years of age and was difficult to diagnose until my second opinion Vet was suspicious of stones, ran an xray and poor little guy was packed with them.
They can be dissolved with certain prescription diets or in bad cases surgery may be required.
I would ask about that possibility and take her back or try another opinion.
Lorraine
Loriben Yorkies

Tinkerbell · 01-08-2006, 08:49 PM

I'm having a similar problem. I have a one year old yorkie, Pixie. While I'm at work, I keep her in her crate. She had been doing really well, but over the past few weeks, I've been coming home to find her having accidents in her crate (pee only). She was accident free for about five months. I have no idea what's causing this. The vet checked her urine, it came back negative. He suggests it may be due to separation anxiety. Our routine has not changed over the past year, so I don't know why this is suddenly a problem.

Any suggestions?

In addition - how do you know if it truly is separation anxiety and what things can I do to solve separation anxiety, if that is the problem?

Lorraine · 01-08-2006, 09:03 PM

I do not advise crate training methods. If you do that sort of method, crating a dog is only to be done for a couple of hours at a time not for many hours or all day. I don't know how long she is crated while you are at work but it is likely it is way too long.
I much prefer, if you don't want your dog loose in the house, putting it in a xpen or at least barricade into a kitchen or where ever there is linoleum flooring and easy to clean. Be sure it is safe, no electrical cords to chew or anything else she could get into.
I always recommend leaving food, water, toys, and a wee wee pad or paper down. I can't imagine what it is like being in a crate for many hours day after day, where a dog cannot play, is expected to 'hold it' and sits there until the owner shows up again.
As it was once put years ago by someone else, 'how would you like to be locked out of the bathroom for 8 or 9 hours'.
Trying to get your dog to wait is not good for the dog. If they do get into waiting you could very easily set them up for bladder infections, and baldder stones.

AbsolutJ · 01-10-2006, 05:55 AM

harry is 9 months and wasnt lifiting his leg, but since we got the new little girl..he is a BIG leg liffter....
he goes on the wee-wee pad never outside.....but now the wee-wee pads are dry as a bone, but my walls,and furniture arent.....
He knows he does bad...when i go to "yell" at him ..he runs.......I am at my witts end...

chachi · 01-10-2006, 05:59 AM

Is he neutered? My neutered male never lifts his leg inside the house.

AbsolutJ · 01-10-2006, 07:50 AM

he isnt neutered....I was on the fence about it really....
But he wasnt doing this till we got the new pup so i am not sure if its "i got older" thing...or the new pup is annoying him...

chachi · 01-10-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbsolutJ

he isnt neutered....I was on the fence about it really....
But he wasnt doing this till we got the new pup so i am not sure if its "i got older" thing...or the new pup is annoying him...

I would get some belly bands and get him neutered if you decide to its a personal decision.

12-22-2005, 06:04 PM	#1
hsmom YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 9	unexplained potty accidents Hello, My sweet little Sophie (just turned 6) has just begun going potty all over the house. I have had her to the vet and a urinalysis was done - it showed nothing. It all started after her last grooming, a week ago - out of the clear blue - but the vet doesn't see any relationship between the two. She goes in the hall and bedrooms, not in the living room or kitchen, which is curious. At first we didn't get after her because I was convinced that she had a bladder infection and she is so good about not having accidents. We have two other yorkies and we are certain that it is Sophie. Any ideas of what could be going on? If it is behavioral, what the heck happened all of a sudden. It is like she knows it is bad because of the places she goes. If it was an issue of not being able to "hold" It, she would go in places like the living room. The other weird thing is that she goes through the night without an accident in my daughter's room. I am frustrated!

12-22-2005, 07:40 PM	#2
RowdysMom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,624	I'm probably not going to be much help - but I had a poodle years ago who would go in the house if something changed. When I had my daughter, he started going in front of her bedroom door. When my husband's sister came to stay with us for a few weeks, he started going in her room. If your baby checks out healthwise (and it sounds like she has), then has anything else in the household changed that might have upset her? __________________ Rex & Rowdy's Mom

12-22-2005, 08:54 PM	#3
momofreese Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hewlett, New York Posts: 129	potty issues Hi, I am pretty new to YT but will post about a similar situation that I had with Reese. It always seems that when she comes back from a groomer, various groomers, different places, she does the same thing as yours. I don't know if it is because she is angry for going (which I doubt), or smells other dogs urine at the groomer and then gets confused, or it is always a coincidence. I know that she has had setbacks for various reasons, but has thankfully always gone back to herself. I remember when we had another yorkie in our home (who urinated on my wood floors) even though I had cleaned it with water and vinegar, natures miracle and whatever else I can get my hands on) she still decided that she should start doing the same thing. Not even near the other dog accident. Again, this happened a couple of times and then she went back to being herself. I know I didn't help much, but I am sure this will pass very soon. Lots of luck.

12-31-2005, 01:29 PM	#4
hsmom YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 9	regarding potty accidents I contacted my breeder and she thinks that these accidents are related to her grooming experience. (way back to December 12th - almost one month ago!) I checked her bottom when she came home from the groomer and didn't see anything had been shaved too closely or any irritation. The vet looked as well. She does fine if we let her out a lot. Today there has been two accidents though. I want to put a bell or something by the door that will alert the rest of us that she needs to go out. She isn't a barker or whinner when it comes time to let us know she needs to go out. Prior to the grooming she didn't need to go out very often - so we are trying to let her out a lot now. Any suggestions as to what to use by the door other than a bell? I didn't mention in the original post that my youngest yorkie, Rosie, came home acting weird as well. She loves her crate and she came home not liking it and whimpered when she was put into it. This is all to weird to be just a coincidence. We have had this groomer for 28 years so I know that she didn't get mean with my girls. But before the groomer arrives to work, she has people that bathe the dogs and gets them ready for her. I should mention that my middle yorkie didn't come home with any issues - she is a tough cookie - nothing bothers her! Finally, a sad note to the email from my breeder. She had sold a puppy to a lady for Christmas. The lady took the puppy to be bathed and trimmed and when she picked it up later that day, the puppy couldn't walk or even stand up. The goomer denied that anything had happened. The vet told the lady that the dog had a broken neck and had to be put down - how sad! All of this makes me want to learn to groom me own girls.

01-05-2006, 05:12 PM	#5
Lorraine Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 2,060	Lorraine Puppy with the broken neck probably fell off the grooming table or was in the grooming loop when it jumped off and that will break a neck. Yep you really do have to pick experience groomers, owner/operator are the best if you can find one. As to the sudden potty training problems, I wonder if there may be bladder stones. I don't know if a urinalysis would always show up an infection if stones are present. An xray will show stones if they are there. My first Yorkie had stones at about 7 years of age and was difficult to diagnose until my second opinion Vet was suspicious of stones, ran an xray and poor little guy was packed with them. They can be dissolved with certain prescription diets or in bad cases surgery may be required. I would ask about that possibility and take her back or try another opinion. Lorraine Loriben Yorkies

01-08-2006, 08:49 PM	#6
Tinkerbell YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Schaumburg Posts: 4	Peeing in Crate I'm having a similar problem. I have a one year old yorkie, Pixie. While I'm at work, I keep her in her crate. She had been doing really well, but over the past few weeks, I've been coming home to find her having accidents in her crate (pee only). She was accident free for about five months. I have no idea what's causing this. The vet checked her urine, it came back negative. He suggests it may be due to separation anxiety. Our routine has not changed over the past year, so I don't know why this is suddenly a problem. Any suggestions? In addition - how do you know if it truly is separation anxiety and what things can I do to solve separation anxiety, if that is the problem?

01-08-2006, 09:03 PM	#7
Lorraine Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 2,060	houes training I do not advise crate training methods. If you do that sort of method, crating a dog is only to be done for a couple of hours at a time not for many hours or all day. I don't know how long she is crated while you are at work but it is likely it is way too long. I much prefer, if you don't want your dog loose in the house, putting it in a xpen or at least barricade into a kitchen or where ever there is linoleum flooring and easy to clean. Be sure it is safe, no electrical cords to chew or anything else she could get into. I always recommend leaving food, water, toys, and a wee wee pad or paper down. I can't imagine what it is like being in a crate for many hours day after day, where a dog cannot play, is expected to 'hold it' and sits there until the owner shows up again. As it was once put years ago by someone else, 'how would you like to be locked out of the bathroom for 8 or 9 hours'. Trying to get your dog to wait is not good for the dog. If they do get into waiting you could very easily set them up for bladder infections, and baldder stones. __________________ Lorraine www.loribenyorkies.com Canada

01-10-2006, 05:55 AM	#8
AbsolutJ Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 27	lifting his leg harry is 9 months and wasnt lifiting his leg, but since we got the new little girl..he is a BIG leg liffter.... he goes on the wee-wee pad never outside.....but now the wee-wee pads are dry as a bone, but my walls,and furniture arent..... He knows he does bad...when i go to "yell" at him ..he runs.......I am at my witts end... __________________ To the world you may be one person.... But to one person you may be the World!!

01-10-2006, 05:59 AM	#9
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Is he neutered? My neutered male never lifts his leg inside the house. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-10-2006, 07:50 AM	#10
AbsolutJ Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 27	not neutered he isnt neutered....I was on the fence about it really.... But he wasnt doing this till we got the new pup so i am not sure if its "i got older" thing...or the new pup is annoying him... __________________ To the world you may be one person.... But to one person you may be the World!!