Our 6 month old female maltese has suddenly started urinating at odd times and at the wrong places. At first she was displaying what we thought were signs of submissive urination, and now all of a sudden she is starting to urinate on furniture and carpets. She was housetrained, she would always let us know when she had to go outside. Could she be going into heat? She has also started barking at 3:30, 4:00 in the morning for the past few nights. Will this strange behaviour stop once she is spayed?

I'd go in and get a UA at the vet. I see a lot of the times many many animals that come in from the reason of it's peeing everywhere. Sometimes it's a uti. Sometimes it's just behavior. One cat we had to prescribe prozac for it. I'd rule out a UTI first, then go on to behavior issues.

I am not sure was a UA is but UTI must be Urinary Tract Infection -- it might be wise to spell everything out?

Sorry, just used to saying it that way. :p UA is a Urine Analysis. Yes UTI is urinary tract infection. Which is easy to treat w/ Amoxicillin (Clavamox; antibiotic).

Thank you! :p

Hi, Maddies,
The best thing you can do is have her spayed.
Do you walk her at least 45 minutes every day? Dogs need lots of exercise, and time to release all their energy. It will help with the housetraining, and getting back into the routine of going outside.
Also, please ask your Vet these questions, and get his/her advice.
Here is some more info, if interested:
I highly recommend a video by Ceaser Millan, a Professional Dog Behaviorist. He rehabilitates dogs, and trains people.

He has his own TV program, the Dog Whisperer, on the NGEO (National Geographic) channel, on Friday nights mainly, but also comes on some other days. This video is available from:
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
I also ordered his new book, "Ceaser's Way", from Walmart online, around $15 US, and it's very good!

There are other good videos available on the web, but this one is really worth your attention.

Please take her to the Vet. It could be a urinary tract infection.
Best of luck.