New dog pees when left alone?

Question

Now I have YET to get this dog. Expecting to get dog in a few days.

This is a shih-tzu, female, one years old, not yet fixed.

The current owner has stated that this girl is a major 'lovebug' and all around great except one thing: She is 'housebroken' but owner states that when she leaves the room the dog pees. The owner states that "it is as if it's a 'control' thing." Current owner has had dog for 3 months. She said as long as dog is around her dog is fine, no problems.

Is this possibly a control issue?

How do we correctly and consistently address this problem when the dog comes into our home?

Thank you.

Answer 1

she may have a uti & get her spayed right away. females mark & have dominance issues too.

then get her on a set schedule for going outside & crate her when you aren't there

Answer 2

Now you know why the owner is giving up the dog: She isn't housebroken and the owner is tired of cleaning up after it. If a dog this age still pees in the house, there is no hope for it to ever be house trained. I wouldn't even consider adopting it.

I don't know what the owner means by "control issue." The dog is anxious, and when its owner leaves the room she pees because she is nervous about being separated from her owner. Unless you are willing to make a long-term commitment to a house that smells like pee and to cleaning your carpets and floors several times a day, I wouldn't even consider adopting this dog. Also, the dog is a "lovebug" because she is overly attached to her owner, which is why she pees when left alone. Adopting this dog is a big mistake unless, like I said, you don't mind dog pee.

Answer 3

We have two Shih Tzus that also had potty training problems. The one thing you can do if there's a certain room she doesn't pee in, put a few drops of lavander oil (available at flower shops) into a gallon of water. Put it everywhere in the room. Scrub the floors and everything with it. It's not enough for humans to smell but your dog will be able to. She will associate the smell with not peeing after a few weeks. Then cover everything with the mixture. Another way is to catch her in the act and say no in a firm voice but don't yell. You want her to know that she did something wrong but you still love her and aren't mad (even if you are). Then take her outside or wherever she's supposed to pee and reward her once she goes to the bathroom. If nothing is working then you can talk to your vet to see if maybe she can't help it. Hope this helps.
Good Luck with your new dog!

Answer 4

Try crate training and if that doesn't work, put her outside when you can't watch her.

This is definetly a control problem. Flip her on her back in the submissive way and growl at her. She may bite so wear gloves. Don't give up or she will assume that she is the boss. Keep her in that position untill she stops struggling. If she doesn't struggle at all then you might have a different problem and won't need to growl, that might just scare her.

Don't do this till you've gained her trust, at least a week.

It might sound bad but it doesn't hurt the dog, just shows them who's in charge.

P.S. It would help to spay.

Answer 5

don't -don't try the "I'm in control of you so roll over and act submissive" thing! That is really irresponsible behavior. Do use positive reinforcment, but also use your common sense. Give the dog as many opportunities to do her business outside. Take her out every 15-20 minutes. When she does her doggy duties, praise her. The dog will understand after a while. #1 be consistent!!!

Answer 6

I think possibly you should make sure the dog is let out regularly, it might possibly be a control issue, something with the bladder and should possibly be checked out by the vet.

Another theory of mine is that maybe the dog feels afraid when it leaves you and pees. Doe sthe shih tzu shake sometimes? That is a symptom that your dog feels nervous or afraid of something.

ANOTHER theory is maybe your dog is just trying to get attention by peeing when it leaves you.

Answer 7

this should be no trouble to correct. ya- it sounds like this dog just wants attention, and doesnt want to be left alone! she is getting something out of doing the behavior for her to continue to do it- the owner giving her attention, even if it is negative attention. to decrease a behavior, there needs to be some sort of undesirable effect after it occurs. if she craves attention- she better not get attention immediately after that, or else you are reinforcing that the behavior works. instead, immediately after it happens- or while making sure she knows what you are referring to by pointing at the mess, you need to scold her. obviously dont hit her, but just a stern voice until she becomes submissive-and do not give her attention immediatley following that. you have to praise her when she does any behavior you want to increase ex) going to the bathroom outside, sitting etc. give her a treat anytime she does these things at the beginning, then slowly taper off. eventually the behaviors that you are reinforcing with treats will increase, as she understands that a treat means she did a good thing, and the behaviors you are scolding her for doing will decrease, and hopefully end!
Good luck and enjoy your new dog!!

Answer 8

Crate training, and lots of positive reinforcement. Don't do anything negative no matter what or else it will turn into something she does when she's peeved at you or anxious. It's okay to startle her - ie if you see her squatting keep a can with nails in it handy to shake and startle her then hustle her outside. But above all crate her when she's not supervised. Good luck!

Answer 9

it's separation anxiety. read this article and do some research on it. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2510076&page=1

i rescued a dog and he had the same problem. I crate trained him (they don't pee in their crate if it's the right size) and gradually increased the amount of time i left him alone. now i leave him alone for 5-6 hours while im at work and he's totally fine.

good luck!

Answer 10

dogs don't pee unless they need to pee. she is missing the ques... and leaving the dog with bad training.

you need to re-housebreak the dog. this dog is just a baby and has to go a lot. make sure you do not allow the dog to go without urinating frequently. positive reinforcement only!

the hardest part of housebreaking is getting a routine down and sticking with it... in other words, YOUR 1/2!

Answer 11

What I would do is if I am going to leave the room I would put her in a crate. Once you break the habit it should stop. Don`t give her the time to do it in the first place.