Aaahhhh! Pee! ++

[621mum]

My puppy (the younger one) is now almost 6 months old and she still pees on the floor even when on a leash right next to me. She will just stand and then piddle. Or sometimes even leak laying down. It never happens in her crate, but during the day it does every day. She doesn't whine, pace, circle or any other marker.... she just stands up or sits up and pees. I've taken urine samples in several times now and they come out fine. She was spayed 3 weeks ago and I think it's been even a little worse since then. I'm not mad at her, because obviously it's me that is doing something wrong, but what? We watch her like a hawk, say "no" sharply but not loudly when she starts to pee inside, take her out where she always finishes, and the praise abundantly. We are working on teaching her the bell as well, but that doesn't work well if she is on the leash.
Help?

[Rivsky]

I know you said you've taken urine samples in to be checked but have you taken her in for a vet to give her a physical examination? Sounds to me like she's got some medical issue going on particularly if she just goes, there is something called spay incontinence which I don't know much about but would be worth discussing with your vet I think.

[621mum]

Rivsky,

Thanks for the thought. It's actually been going on since before the spay (it's just seemed to be somewhat more since then). She's been checked over by the vet 4 times for regular exams and 2 additional times for problem issues (including the peeing). The vet seems to think she just hasn't got her full big-girl control yet (which is why it doesn't happen at night because the urinary system just slows down and she isn't drinking so much either). We know she "can" hold it, because she does in some situations (i.e. the car) but I just wish she would signal in any way before peeing on the floor but I don't know how to teach her to do it when she isn't.

[Cassiepeia]

Stop saying "no" when you catch her in the act. Perhaps she doesn't want to let on that she needs to pee because she knows she'll get in trouble for it...if that makes sense? She might think she's being reprimanded for the actual act of peeing?
Try instead making a schedule (every few hours, for example) and taking her out at those times every single day. Praise, as you are already doing, everytime she pees after she's finished. Yes it's a pain, but it may be neccessary to help her.

Good luck

Cass.

EDIT: I use the term "get in trouble" and word "reprimanded" only to illustrate what I mean. I realise you're not trying to punish her, just express to her that she's doing something incorrect.

[621mum]

Thanks, Cassiepeia
I'll give it a try. She's going out more frequently than every few hours now (just because we are guessing when she needs to) and maybe that makes it worse. So, you are thinking if I catch her in the act don't say anything at all, just take her out and have her finish and then praise? I think I was worried that then peeing on the floor would become the signal. LOL! Can't hurt to try it though

[IceyBlueSibes]

You can actually use a different word to distract her from the action of peeing, until you get her outside.

In a sense, when you are raising a puppy, the word "no" tends to be a negative word. They end up learning that that particular word means they're doing something wrong.

Instead, I will actually use "Ah-ah!" very quickly and sharply or "Hey" if we have a puppy in the house that needs work on PT. It's usually enough to get them to stop, and I will pick them up and take them outside. Sometimes the words don't do anything at all, so I just have to do the second step.

I think as Cass said, you're going to have to figure out a schedule in order to find what works best for her.

Does she drink a lot of water during the day? I have actually found with my shep/husky mix pup, I have to limit her water intake. If I don't, and we leave water down all day for her, she pees all over the house, and she doesn't give warning either.

Do you try to use her crate during the day, too, besides just bed time? If she doesn't make accidents in her crate, maybe put her in there when you are in the middle of doing something and take her outside immediately after she is let out of it.

It's frustrating... we had a lab mix that stayed with us for a couple nights that would be playing and all of a sudden just stop and pee. We'd actually have to interupt their playing in order to get him outside to go potty. If he went, he was allowed to come back inside and resume playing.

[621mum]

Thanks, Iceyblue
Yeah, she is a major water drinker. Today I have her on a 30 minute time and I'm taking her out every 30 and usually she goes. We'll try to stretch that time some over the next couple of days and see how she does. I appreciate the thoughts and tips. I'm sure she'll get through it eventually if we don't all lose our minds first

[Doglover1988]

yep Ah-ah works very well. I used it with my grown lab mix when I first adopted her. She would stop peeing immediatly and then I would take her outside afterwards.

[IceyBlueSibes]

It's nice to come to a place like this to vent and get feed back. Most everyone has gone through an issue at one time or another so they can relate. I was having a hard time dealing with my shep/husky mix pup at one point to where I wanted to rip my own hair out! She was quite the challenge until we figured out what worked best for her.