Peeing in the house…help!

[natnatsupercat]

Fancy has only been with us about 2 weeks so of course I didn't expect everything to be perfect…she is a Basenji after all...but as much as I take her out to go potty, she occasionally pees in the house. Never downstairs where we have tile, only upstairs on the carpet. Any suggestions?

[basilboy7]

@natnatsupercat:

Fancy has only been with us about 2 weeks so of course I didn't expect everything to be perfect…she is a Basenji after all...but as much as I take her out to go potty, she occasionally pees in the house. Never downstairs where we have tile, only upstairs on the carpet. Any suggestions?

What do you do when she does go pee in your house?

I would take her out after she eats, wakes up and after play. If she's sniffing around, let her out. Can you put up a baby gate so that she can't go upstairs until she is fully house trained? When she does pee in the house, take her immediately outside, don't scold her… don't say anything. When she does go outside... squeal "GOOD GIRL!!!" and make it so exciting and she'll never want to go in the house. It took my pup I think about three weeks to be completely house trained... a lot of it is our fault if they have an accident too. I would try to think about taking her out every 15-20 minutes when she's awake. Also, is she crated at night and when you're not home or where is she?

[lvoss]

Dogs are substrate specific when they eliminate so most often accidents happen on the carpet because it is soft and absorbent like grass.

Is there any pattern to when she is peeing? Unexplained peeing, especially in an adult dog can be an indication of a UTI. You may want to get her checked out. If it is a UTI then it won't stop until you get the infection under control.

If it is not a UTI, then it is time to go back to housetraining 101. Limit her access to parts of the house to only where you can supervise her. Increase the frequency of her walks. Praise and reward when she gets it right.

[nobarkus]

Does she try to pee numerous times when you walk her? That would be an indicator of UTI as well.

[tee]

I have a Basenji mix, and I had a heck of a time house training him. I've never had problems house training any other dog, and it took a long time before he got it. I would say don't be discouraged and have lots of patience, give her treats after she pees outside and do it right away after she pees and like other people said, limit her access to the carpeted area with baby gates. My dog took stubborn to a whole new level. I'm careful to watch for any signs that he needs to go (lots of sniffing) and he learned to stand by the back door so I know right away. She'll catch on with lots of praise and positive reinforcement. Just hang in there! And also, Bissel makes a carpet spray called "Ewww" (literally haha- I got it at Petsmart) and it's great to take out urine stains out of carpets, in the mean time.

[renaultf1]

What do you use to clean the area where the peeing happens. Could be that you aren't getting all the scent up and Fancy is attracted to the area as a result…

[natnatsupercat]

She stays in a kennel only when we are all gone from the house, and during meal times. She sleeps in our room at night, but she hasn't had any accidents overnight. I will try to keep a closer eye on her, and I will definitely limit her availability to the carpet. I don't think it's a uti because when we walk her, she goes once or twice which I think is normal (maybe I'm wrong?) Our other dog, Albert, pees numerous times but that's because he has to mark anything and everything along our walk so all the other dogs know he was there. Could she just not understand yet that she pees outside, not inside? She spent the majority of her time in a kennel outdoors with rotating house time before we got her.

[tanza]

Always good to first check things like a UTI, you should be able to just take a sample to your Vet to have it tested. Just because she might only pee once or twice on walks would not rule out a UTI

After that, I would just limit her access to carpet areas until she is fully settled in

[eeeefarm]

Just to think outside the box a little, is there any chance she is marking? Some bitches certainly will. My second Basenji (spayed bitch) was solidly house trained at home, but if took her to a strange house I had to watch her like a hawk. She would mark. Could she be "staking out her territory"?

[Patty]

I reiterate renaultf1's comment. Unless you use a product which neutralises the pee the smell (for a dog) still lingers. I think a white vinegar spray is best (and cheapest) after you've cleaned the area.

[eeeefarm]

@Patty:

I reiterate renaultf1's comment. Unless you use a product which neutralises the pee the smell (for a dog) still lingers. I think a white vinegar spray is best (and cheapest) after you've cleaned the area.

I take straight white vinegar and dilute it a little with water…..seems to work. I've used it many times over the years, usually when I have older dogs that are getting a bit incontinent.

[tanza]

@eeeefarm:

I take straight white vinegar and dilute it a little with water…..seems to work. I've used it many times over the years, usually when I have older dogs that are getting a bit incontinent.

I agree, that is all I use any more…. vinegar and water.... Of course I use this for everything when I clean.... cheap and works!

[Patty]

Me too, Pat - I swear by it.