Emmy is a 5 year old mixed breed (schnauzer and ?) rescue dog who we have had for over a year. We have a dog door to the back yard that she and our other rescue dog use consistently. She does have one bad habit--peeing in the bathrooms, and only on the carpets (throw rugs). She does this only in the mornings, usually after my husband and I have left for work and our college-age daughters are getting ready to leave the house. Emmy "knows" what she is doing is wrong (hangs head, etc once her puddles are found) and she does not do it every day. What can we do to change this behaviour?

" Emmy "knows" this is a common belief for most dog owners but not quite true. She hangs her head because she knows she is going to experience some negativity but doesn't "know" its for the pee inside. Do you have a fenced yard or dog run? How is she allowed to do #1 and #2 in the AM? It is not a good idea to punish a dog for unwanted behavior but you can reward the correct behavior. Walk her and be around her when she is doing 1 & 2 and reward her each time. I'd throw out that rug or clean it and store it. At present she sees it as her spot. Back to you for your answers

Emmy has access 24/7 to a rock walled back yard. She and Murphy (our other dog)can come in and out as they please. If we are home, no peeing in the house. We have washed the rugs, bought new ones and even removed them. Emmy's response? Pee in the other bathroom on those rugs. We haven't "witnessed" her in action in the house. She did this when we first brought her home, and afer time the behaviour stopped. Even bringing home Murphy did not cause her to pee in the house. But over the past week, three incidents. No idea what triggers this, but it only happens in the mornings when we are getting ready to leave for the day. Never on the weekends or while my husband and I are home. Don't know what to do?

I would also consider taking her to the vet to be checked for a urinary infection or other possible sources of this problm. However, this does sound behavioral.