Still having problems with Wally

[huggija]

I posted about 6-8 weeks ago when we were having some issues with our (then) 16 week old golden retriever. He had had a UTI and was treated and over the infection. However, he continued to 'dribble' urine throughout the house. We took him back to the vet; no infection, but the dribbling continued. So we figured it was behavioral and started to crate him more, take him outside more often, etc. He was fine for 2-3 weeks and now all of a sudden, the behavior is back (I'd say maybe once or twice a week). He is now almost 6 months old and we're really frustrated. Tonight, my husband was playing with him; he walked away and peed throughout the entire kitchen. (He had just been outside 45 minutes before) We cannot see a pattern or reason why he would be upset. No changes in the household, no other pets. Can anyone give me some idea of what to do next?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sugardog]

Go back to the vet one last time to make sure the infection isn't back.

I have a few other ideas if it isn't a UTI again.

First is just submissive urination. Some dogs will get excited and they just can't control their bladder. If this is the case, then you just need to take the necessary measures to keep him from going in the house. This means rough play only outside where it won't matter if he can't hold it.

Second is possibly another bladder problem not related to a UTI. He could just have a plain weak bladder or he may be having trouble controlling it. Just like with older dogs who develope incontinance, he may not be aware that he is going potty. When he walked away and peed throughout the kitchen, was he squatting while he was walking?

Third reason I can think of is a mix of laxed training and the fact that his urine scent may be scattered in the house. The reason I think of this is because you say that you started to crate him more and take him outside and he did fine for a few weeks. After he started to improve, did you maybe relax your training with him a little? Go back to a schedaul for a while and see how he does. You may want to consider having the carpet steam vacuumed or professionally shampood to make sure all the urine scent gets out.

Also, he is old enough to be neutered, so that would be a good idea to do before he starts to mark things.

 

[huggija]

He definitely was not squatting, but he does walk slightly different when it happens. I think maybe you're on to something; I believe we DID relax it a little, as of course, our goal is to not have him crated so much so that we can enjoy him more.

Our vet will not neuter until at least 6 months, so we have a few more weeks to go.

Forgot to mention that he has a undescended testicle. Do you think that would have any bearing on this?

 

[Sugardog]

Ok.

I would deffinitly suggest getting him back onto a schedual. Him walking differently when it happens and the fact that he did improve after you began a potty regemine again suggests that he knows when he is going and is aware of when he has to go. So start crating him again. Go back to step one and treat him as if he were a little 8 week old puppy. Never allow him the opportunity to go in the house and when he goes outside, give him extra praise.

About the undescended testicle, I don't think that would effect anything. It just means that it never descended down into the scrotum when it should have. I doubt this would cause any issues with the urinary system.

 

[huggija]

Thanks! We started over yesterday. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Sugardog]

Alright good luck!

Keep me updated on how he's doing