How do you housebreak and older dog who was previously housebroke?

Question

Our 8 year old Jack Russell Terrier was crate trained as a pup. We had her completely housebroke, then one day she began having accidents in the house so we began the crate training all over again. Now as she gets older she will even go in her kennel. Sometimes even in her food dishes. When we put her outside on her runner, she'll come up on the porch and leave her "presents" there as well. She has even been known to hold her "movements" while outside and wait until she comes back in. We are moving to a new house and hate to make her an outside dog, but don't want the new floors ruined with her accidents either. What can we do? Help!

Answer 1

I don't have alot to add that the others haven't already said. However, my 1 1/2 year old female recently had a break in training. It was timed with a trauma experienced on July 4th with the fireworks. She too would 'hold it' until she got inside. We just fell back into training mode, doing all of the things that we did when she was a puppy. Sometimes I still have to go out with her and tell her she has to tinkle. But no more inside accidents.
I'd say vet check first, especially due to age, and then try to be patient and re-train. If you have no luck maybe you can find a tiled room in the new house that she can stay in when not watched so that she doesn't have to live outside. Good luck!

Answer 2

The fact that you are pregnant could creat some interesting behaviors. Pregnancy gives off a unique scent and various hormones that have become invisible to humans and are no longer vital in the human world however, dogs detect them. The reaction is very different for different dogs. Some become skeptical of the baby growing inside, some become very protective of the expected mother. Others feel threatened by the baby and mark their territory and some connect with the "puppy" and will revert back to puppy-like behaviour such as defecating inside. The best thing to do is reinforce the house-breaking by crate training him again for a few weeks and take him out more frequently. Some animal behaviourist see this as a good sign that the dog will develope a strong bond with the baby but studies have not yet proven this to be factual. I'd like to believe it's true.

Answer 3

I recommend taking her to a vet also. It is not normal for a dog to go in their sleeping area.
If she has had accidents and you yelled at her she might think that going to the bathroom is what she did wrong and is now trying to hide it. Most dogs are left unsuprvised in the house and are supervised out side. It sounds silly but it does work. When she has an accident yell at the accident get really upset. Then take it outside and praise it, like you would if your dog just mastered a trick that will win you millions. Let you dog witness the whole thing.

Answer 4

She either needs to visit a vet or she is upset about something.

Did this start around the time you knew you were getting a new house? Were you not at home as often as you used to be? Has there been a big change in how you socialize with her? Have you caught her leaving "gifts" or is she well behaved when your around?

Just a thought.

Answer 5

I'd go to the vet, a dog who is housebroken and suddenly starts urinating in the house has either a physical issue or a behavioral issue, you should make sure it isn't anything physical.

Answer 6

She might have developed a serious problem. You need to take her into the vet and see what he says. Some older dogs start to have problems holding it.

Answer 7

Take her to the vet. Oftentimes when a dog that was housebroken has accidents there is a medical problem.

Answer 8

Your dog may have some type of bladder problem or infection...take her to the vet for a check up.