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Why are both my dogs suddenly peeing in the house after being trained?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 11 years and 9 months old | 15 lbs

I have had my teddy bear dog since I was five. I am now 18. He has never had issues with peeing in the house. About 2 years ago we lost his "brother." Since then he has been peeing everyday all over our house. We had to throw out all of our furniture and rip our flooring up. We got a puppy about a year ago and when he arrived our teddy bear stopped. The puppy was quickly potty trained and all seemed well. Now both of them are peeing all over the house and it is absolutely out of control.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Alysia Van Scoy, DVM

Answered By Alysia Van Scoy, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 19th, 2017

I am sorry that you are having to go through this! If I read the question correctly.... They were both not having accidents for an entire year and then it started again... That certainly seems strange. The first thing that I like to do is rule out a medical problem, especially in Scooter. Kidney problems, bladder infections, diabetes, Cushings Dz are just a few of the conditions that can cause excess urination. If he has a medical problem and is urinating in the house, your puppy might be just thinking it is ok to urinate in the house. I would try to see if you can figure out if it is small puddles very often or larger puddles. The veterinarian can collect a urine sample and run a urinalysis to help diagnose a problem. They may see something like a low specific gravity (concentration of urine) and need to run blood work. You can also take your puppy in to have a urinalysis done as well. If it is not a medical problem, then you will have to try to re-train them. The puppy will most likely be easier. I would recommend going back to crate training. The places where the accidents have happened have to be cleaned very well. You may need to keep Scooter in a small room with an easy to clean floor when your are gone. Good Luck! Thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Vote Icon2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Anna M., DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 11th, 2020

    That sounds very frustrating! You'll need to have Beckham evaluated by a vet. If he was previously well house trained and is suddenly having accidents, he could have a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, urine crystals, or any other number of underlying causes. Your vet will likely want to start by taking a look at a urine sample, which will indicate if there's infection or urinary crystals present.

    Hope this helps!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My dog has accidents indoors only when I'm home, not when alone. Why?
I am sorry to hear about your dog! The first step is to have your vet examine him to be sure there isn't a medical reason for this new issue. There are a multitude of issues that can cause urinary accidents, including urinary tract infection, bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. If the vet rules out a medical cause you can discuss if this is an anxiety issue or a loss of potty training. Anxiety is sometimes treated with oral medications. In mild cases a pheremone product like the Adaptil collar or diffuser (available online and at some pet stores or vet offices), thundershirts (also online and at stores), and oral supplements like Composure and Zylkene. You can read more about re-potty training at https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/is_my_male_shih_tzu_being_a_s_when_he_potties_in_the_house/
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
Why is my older dog suddenly peeing inside and how can I stop it?
Hi there! If Chubbs has not been previously housetrained, you would teach him just like a new puppy. See our article on housetraining here for more information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-rules-for-effective-housetraining/ If he was housetrained in the past and just recently started having accidents in the house, then it's likely that he has a medical problem of some kind causing this - possibly a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, a bladder or prostate tumor, or a systemic illness like diabetes or Cushing's disease. In that case, I would recommend taking him to the vet for a check-up. He/she can do blood work and a urinalysis to help diagnose the problem and get him started on appropriate treatment.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
Why is my previously potty-trained dog suddenly peeing on the sofa?
She may have a urinary infection that causes her to have accidents due to not being able to hold it as Kong. She may be doing this out of stress or anxiety or something has changed in her environment or routine. Depending on where she is in her heat cycle it may be due to marking and territorial problems influenced by hormones The best place to start is gave your vet check for infection with the urine then look in to getting her fixed. From there you can look into repeating house training or behavioral medicines
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
Why is my previously trained dog now having accidents indoors?
If Jewel is urinating in the house I would recommend bringing her into a veterinarian and have them check a urine sample on her. She may have a urinary tract infection. If she is defecating in the house and it is normal this can be behavioral and I would consider checking a stool sample and crating her until she goes outside again. If it is diarrhea then I would recommend checking a stool sample, putting her on a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice and if it doesn't resolve discussed probiotics and medication with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my 5-year-old dog suddenly having accidents in the house?
With sudden accidents, it is always best to schedule a vet checkup first to rule out any underlying issues such as infection, GI upset, neurological or muscular issues, etc. if she checks out healthy, it may be that something has startled or upset her, especially if this was the same time last year that she had accidents last, causing her to have accidents inside instead of going out. You may need to temporarily revert to a "puppy" style of potty training again, just to get her back into the routine of going outside until she is more comfortable with whatever caused the accidents to start. Using enzymatic cleaners on any accidents can help discourage her from going there again, and making sure to offer some exciting treats and praise when she does go outside may help speed up the process.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog keeps peeing in one spot indoors. Is she really house-trained?
H, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sadly if she is is going in the house she still isn't fully house trained. All rooms with doors should be closed and she needs to be gated to be kept in your site. Or she needs to be leashed to an adult until this behavior has stopped. The area she is soiling needs to be cleaned with an enzymatic pet cleaner, like Nature's Miracle. She needs to be take out frequently and verbally praised, as well as given treats, when she goes outside. Play with her for 5-10 mins. If she doesn't go outside she is crated or leashed to an adult until you take her out again. This training should go on for 3 months and she can have free reign of the house once there are no accidents for those 3 months. You can have her urine checked for crystals or infection by your Vet and consider having her spayed to see if that helps. I wish you the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Why is my old dog suddenly peeing in the house? Is it a health issue?
Sudden changes in behavior can sometimes signal a health issue, and accidents in an elderly dog can be caused by a number of things. Bladder infections can cause sudden accidents in the house, while changes to the muscles and nerves around the bladder may lead to incontinence-type accidents with dribbling or small puddles happening. Cognitive changes in elderly dogs (similar to human dementia) can also sometimes cause a pet to "forget" their training such as potty training, leading to accidents. It is a good idea to schedule a veterinary exam to see if any of these could be a possible cause and to find a treatment plan that helps.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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