Confused!!

6660carrie · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 07:32 AM

I recently posted a thread in the health section about my dogs wetting problem but I'm wondering if he has now got into a habit!

Since returning from Cambridge he has had no problems going for a wee, there has been no straining, leaking dribbling and he has not wet in the house once. But, he constantly wets his bed overnight! He has done this since he was a puppy but only about once a fortnight but he has done it 4 times over the weekend both during hte day and overnight but he only does it if we leave him so I'm wondering if its some kind of anxiety thing?

When I came down this morning he was sitting by the kitchen door, his bed was soaked and screwed up on the other side of the room! Its as though he does it in his sleep. Yesterday I walked him then left him for 2 hours to go shopping and when I got back he had done it again! Thing is, when I'm at home with him he can sleep all afternoon and not wet so , is it more of a behaviour thing?

I have constantly got wet beds to wash but I can't tell him off in case he can't help it. I'm debating wether to "lift" him through the night but I don't know when he does it. Anyone heard of this? I can't decide the best way to deal with it when I don't know why he does it!

Its no good going back to the vets because they have carried out every test known to man, the vets bill is already over £1600 and they found nothing. To be honest , this overnight thing has only gotten worse since I left him at Cambridge for 2 nights, they said he was very unhappy so I had to fetch hime home,I'm thinking he just worries I'm not coming back when I leave him.

fun4fido · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2008, 08:21 AM

Hi,

I think you're spot on with your deduction

I would suggest crate training your dog, and for the first 3 nights put the crate in your bedroom.

This will give your dog reassurance that you are still around at night as he will see where you sleep, and realise that once you're in your bedroom at night, that's where you stay and there is no way out. I know it sounds odd but dogs do 'get' this. I always recommend this to clients for puppies first few nights and/or dogs displaying signs of separation anxiety.

After 3 nights or so move the crate to a place (preferably kitchen) where you often come and go during the day.

Cover the top and 3 sides of the crate with an old bed sheet, this makes the crate more den like. Also wear an old t-shirt to bed for a week and then put this inside the crate.

When crate training it is very important to also put your dog in the crate while you are at home, this way he will not associate being put in the crate with being alone.

So for an hour or so a couple of times a day put your dog in his crate with some treats and a safe chew toy. You can do this while watching TV, preparing dinner etc.

Go to your dog and give him treats and praise every now and then, BUT ONLY if he is calm and quiet. Don't go to him if he is whining/barking etc, wait for 5 mins of calm first, then go, give treats and praise.

During the night your dog should only be in the crate for a max of 6/7 hours. I don't know how old your dog is but if he's a puppy under 4 months then one toilet during the night may be required.

During the day no more than 3 consecutive hours or 3 in total. If your dog is 5 months or older then a max of 4 hours during the day is okay.

Do close the crate door, don't leave it open so that your dog can leave to go pee, this would be creating a bad habit.

If your dog has any accidents in the crate, as well as cleaning as you would normally do, also use a spray deodorizer specifically for pets to eliminate any trace of urine etc.

Persevere with this and be patient and calm, don't give off any anxious energy as this may transfer to your dog.

Given time he will settle again, and do make sure to crate him while you're in with lots of praise for calm quiet behaviour.

Hope this helps.

6660carrie · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 06:32 AM

Thank you , he was crate trained when I got him and spent the first 5 months crated through the night and when I went out,he was fine, had the odd accident but I expected that. He has been in the kitchen since then,he is 12 months old, and has been pretty much fine until about 10 days ago. I still think its something to do with leaving him at Cambridge and I'm hoping he will just get out of it if I don't make a big thing about it.

I attempted to trick him last night, I put his favourite bed one side of the room and and old bed he doesn't like in the place I normally put his bed. When I came down this morning his favourite bed was damp which makes me think he must be doing it in his sleep as he hates seeping in a wet bed.! Its a complete mystery, my husband has bought a video camera to see if we can tell whether he actually wakes up and does it or whether its involuntary.

My husband thinks I should leave him the run of the house so he can come upstairs etc but I'm scarred in case he wets somewhere else as its sometimes quite alot of wee!

He is a VERY big dog and I'm worried crating him now would be like a punishment? I went out yesterday to do some shopping and I just took him with me in the car as he likes to sit in the back and watch people but am I making him worse by keeping him with me even more?

I'm supposed to phone Cambridge after a month to let them know his progress, do you think I should phone them and let them know about this bed wetting? My fear is they will ask me to bring him back in and I really don't want to put him through that especially as they haven't found anything wrong with him!

(Big sigh)

fun4fido · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 07:33 AM

Hi,

I really think it will help if you crate him again, even if its just for a few weeks.

Is the crate you initially bought big enough for his adult size? If it is then don't worry you are not punishing him by crating him, quite the opposite, it will make him feel safe.

I have a larger than average Weimaraner (69cm to withers), and we recently moved to a new house. Harley was 14 months an I crated him again at night and at certain times during the day (both while we were in and while we were out), just for a few weeks until he settled in.

If you dog is feeling insecure after the Cambridge incident, giving him room to roam around at night/when you're out will not make him feel secure.

Also I would imagine that his bed (even though you clean it) has retained the smell of his urine (dogs have a far greater sense of smell than we do), so when he smells his bed he will think he's in the right place to pee.

By crating him, you can help in making him feel secure again. Make sure you cover the crate with and old bed sheet (leaving one door uncovered), and make it a positive place for him by putting in treats and a safe chew toy.

Do crate him during the day too when you're at home, just for the odd hour here and there. And for no more than 6/7 hours at night.

You crate trained him anyway right, so I'm sure you know what to do

For now I would buy a cheap bed to put in the crate, but for the first few nights just line it with paper, just in case.

If any accidents occur thoroughly wash the tray of the crate, allow to dry, and spray with a deodorizer.

You can also look in to giving your dog some Bach Flower Remedies. They are totally safe and they do work. I would suggest these two combinations:

Separation Anxiety Remedy

and

Emergency Remedy

Info on Flower Remedies

Hope this helps

I'm sure he will settle again soon.

Angela

JANICE199 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 07:36 AM

i dont know if this is of any help, but mia and kai are crate trained. and they still go in their crate at night.if i leave them out they will poo and wee.i just think they feel secure in their crate.

Mattie · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008, 08:20 AM

I couldn't find your post in Health so don't know what has happened but from your post on here it could be anxiety.

Why not crate him but have the crate in your bedroom so if he wakes up anxious you can talk to him. If he wants to toilet, he can let you know and you can take him out.

My Greyhound doesn't always go through the night so I get up during the night and take him out. Doesn't do much for my sleep but does make my house a lot more pleasant.

6660carrie · #7 (**permalink**) 13-08-2008, 01:14 PM

Thanks everyone , we set up the video camera last night and checked it 2 or three times during the night on the bedroom telly and he was sleeping soundly every time.

I was upstairs when my husband put him to bed and he literally just snuggled up and crashed out within 2 seconds!

As we were awake at 5am we lifted him and put him out for a toilet, he settled straight back down and was dry this morning ...Hooray.

I have had a brand new dog bed delivered this morning which is waterproof so should be easier to disinfect. Sounds stupid but I have been laying on the damn thing watching telly and playing with him for the last couple of hours and he loves it! Hopefully it will have my scent and he will think of it positively (Hopefully)

I have asked my friend for my crate back as she borrowed it for her chewy puppy, it is the largest you can buy. Trouble is I have very little room for it anywhere but the conservatory, there is no way it will fit in my bedroom.

Thanks everyone, will try anything.

6660carrie · #8 (**permalink**) 14-08-2008, 11:53 AM

Hi, just an update.

We gave him the new bed last night and it was dry again this morning!! I'm so excited (Saddo).

Gotta just add though, the CCTV thing has been such a laugh , I played the video back earlier and saw my naked husband bending over in the fridge. I think he must have forgot it was taping!!!

fun4fido · #9 (**permalink**) 14-08-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6660carrie

Hi, just an update.

We gave him the new bed last night and it was dry again this morning!! I'm so excited (Saddo).

Gotta just add though, the CCTV thing has been such a laugh , I played the video back earlier and saw my naked husband bending over in the fridge. I think he must have forgot it was taping!!!

Was he trying to stay cool!!!

6660carrie · #10 (**permalink**) 19-08-2008, 02:50 PM

Maybe it was the sight of his bare bum that has cured Max's bed wetting !! 6 dry nights now!

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