Dog Peeing in House

[Carrie41]

Hello.  I am at wits end with my little dog.  She is approximately 17 years old and is a little shnazer terrier.  She pees and poops constantly in the house.  I will let her outside and she will litteraly walk around outside for a few minutes and then come in the house and pee!  I have her penned off in the kitchen now because I have just about had it with this peeing.

She went deaf about 1 year ago and I think she may be losing a bit of her sight now.

She used to be a great dog and not have many accidents in the house at all but for the past year or so it is just constant.  She will squat right in front on me and pee on the carpet or kitchen floor.  I find pee everywhere in the house.

Tried diapers and she hated them.  Is there anything else I can do to stop her peeing?  I live in Canada so I can't leave her outside as it is winter here and very cold.  In the summer I do leave her outside during the day and bring her in at night though.  Suggestions??

Thanks.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

First, let me say how wonderful it is that you have a pet who has lived to an age of 17 years.  Obviously you have cared for her very well over these last couple of decades.

My next question to you would be to find out when she was last seen by a veterinarian and if any sort of bloodwork or urinalysis was done.  There are many treatable and controllable medical conditions that could cause her to be exhibiting these kind of symptoms.

Even if she is fine medically, it is possible that she is suffering from Canine Cognitive Dysfuntion...sort of like doggie senility.  She could simply have "forgotten" that she is supposed to go outside.  Thankfully, there are medications and even special diets that might help her with this issue.

So...my quick answer to you is that she needs to be examined by your veterinarian and potentially have bloodwork/urinalysis run.   If the diagnostics are fairly normal, you might ask your veterinarian about treatments for cognitive dysfunction.

Also, be sure you are cleaning up her accidents with a pet stain and odor remover.  Simple Solution and Nature's Miracle are two brand names that I have used with success.

[Carrie41]

Well I guess I am not the only one that has this problem.  I just can't stand it anymore.  It is all I do is clean up pee.  She used to be fine and only have the odd accident in the house but now it seems she thinks that this is the only place to pee.  She drinks a lot of water as well.  I feel bad penning her off in the kitchen but I am just so sick of cleaning up after her that I just don't know what else to do.

[IChooseLemonade]

I'm having the same problem with my senior dog (15 year old Lab). He has been strictly and outdoor dog for several years and now that he's elderly I'm trying to have him indoors when I'm home. Since he's been able to pee whenever he feels like it outdoors, he continues to do the same inside the house. A Lab can pee a lake! Last night he woke me up three times to go out and pee. Tonight I'm trying putting him in the crate so I can get some sleep. I think the problem is compounded by his old age - he just can't hold it as long as he used to. Also, he seems to drink a lot of water! I hope I find a solution since I would like him to be a part of the household in his last years.