How do I stop my older Shih-Tzu from peeing in the house?

Question

My Shih-Tzu is 13 years old, he is deaf and can't hear us if we get mad at him...we've tried everything I can think of to make him stop he does it while we are sleeping or out. We got him from a shelter 5 years ago and on his history write up at the shelter, his former owners said it was because of his going bathroom indoors he was given up. He's a great dog, except for this one thing. I don't know how to make him stop...any ideas would be great thanks!

Answer 1

Vet check first to rule out any problems with the urinary tract.

It's not impossible but it can take longer than housebreaking a puppy. I have recently done it with two rescues, one who is 3 (she got it in a few days) and the other is 11 years old (he took months to get it right)

Keep him with you on a leash and learn to read his body language (the signal he uses when he's going to pee) so when you see him sniffing the floor or circling, pick him up and take him outside. Make a fuss if you get him to do it outside, even if he can't hear you, he can feel you patting him and making a fuss, if hell play, a quick game can be a good reward, or use a treat. He will learn through repetition.

I used the recommendations on the link below.... she is a dog trainer and her methods work and do not cause further issues if done correctly.

Scroll down to the bottom and then go up four posts, it is a housetraining guide.

I don't recommend crate training or paper or anything else indoors because it teaches that it's ok to potty inside, even if it's only in the crate. They need to associate it with dirt and grass.

Answer 2

First of all I think you need to make certain he has no medical reason for all this - a UTI for instance, or a weak bladder. Then once you can rule that out, you need to concentrate on prevention. Getting him out frequently, more often than he probably needs to begin with - at over a year he should be quite able to hold for up to 4 hours but for now, take him outside every couple of hours during the waking hours so that although males never completely empty, leaving something there to over-c ock with, he has no real need for all this. Don't wait for him to squat in other words. Loads of praise, obviously, when he empties outside, get him out, saying No!, when he goes to squat (although obviously this isn't working at the moment and the fact he's leaving a trail would indicate he does have a bladder problem), and clean up, properly, what he does that you miss, without comment. He will be watching. The pity of these pee pads is a puppy won't learn that he HAS to hold. He's just carrying on as a baby puppy would - going when he feels the need. Was he neutered young because this could be a big part of his problem - silly puppy! It's always better to wait until a male is over a year before castrating unless there's a need to get him done earlier (retained testicles being one). But do start with ruling out this being something medical. Collect a sample of his urine and ask your vet to run a urinalysis.

Answer 3

He is 13! Dogs at this age loose control of their bladders...take him to the vet to rule out ANY medical conditions...if he gets the all clear, get a medium sized crate to put him in when you leave the house and when you go to bed...put the crate in your room, if he has to go during the middle of the night he will wake you up....just be sure and take him outside to potty before he goes into the crate and take him back outside just as soon as you get home, or wake up....as long as you can watch him, he does not have to be in the crate (if he ONLY potties when you are gone, omit this step)....take him out every hr or so (no more than 2 hrs when you first start this), then he will get the idea that he should go outside.

Here is something to think about:
Close all of the doors in your house (including the bathroom)...now tie your hands behind your back...wait...now you have to go to the bathroom....OH! no one is allowed to open the door for you!....what are you going to do? Get the point?

Answer 4

If he is 13, that is quite old for a dog, and he could be losing bladder control. He might not be able to hold it all the way through the night, or while you are working, or out on the town. You might have to set your alarm clock so that you can get up and let him out. He might be trying to wake you up, but you just might not hear him. Good luck

Answer 5

i want through the same thing i have a 13 shih-tzu ....................... they are the hardest kind of dog to train it took her,her whole life to become potty trained every day she will go out side 1 time because she holds it all in the whole day!!!!!! good luck i hope this helps

Answer 6

It will be very hard to retrain him at this point. You can try crating him when you're gone as dogs don't like to soil where they sleep. Or you can get puppy diapers, which I've seen used in older dogs with some success.

Answer 7

join him, could be fun two-some!

Seriously, peeing for dogs is a form of aggression--sort of marking territory for cats. Because your dog is older, I guess it is that he has lost control of bladder, which could suggest muscular or glandular imbalance. Check with your vet if there is any kind of medicine (sort of like Immodium for humans)

Answer 8

When you think it has to go to the bathroom take it outside. If you have to take it every hour or so. Thats what we did with out dog when it was a puppy. Oh if you see it going to the bathroom in your house spank its nose and say NO.

Answer 9

Dont let him in the house!