My dog Wrigley... Which was 2 in September is having a issue. Some odd reason thinks he needs to go in the bedroom to the bathroom. This dog has a doggy door and still proceeds to go in the bedroom. I have never been able to catch him and I am trying to figure out a way to stop it. He has ruined carpets like crazy and I am running out of luck.. Please help me someone??
Thanks Holli

I would start with a vet check. Also have him neutered in not already. It is no cure all, but a big help with any behavior problems stemming from pack rank challenges. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete (http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/) For more on being top dog, see Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm)

He may have decided he is a big and is showing you he can mark the house and you can't stop him. In addition to taking over as top dog, you need to keep him where you can see him when you are around. Keep the bedroom door and the others closed. Use gates on doorways. Some people go so far as leashing the dog to them. Take him out when you think he needs to go perhaps on a regular schedule. Use a command and praise him.

When you aren't around, crate him. Other dogs may
Not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with. Still your house and dog
Will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away. The dog may be
Happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its
Den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
Its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
Will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic
Ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. They are harder for
Dogs to open too. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
Something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave
Anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any
Bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
Time for more than one dog.