[Renae_Cots]

My dog is normally an inside dog, he has a doggy door which he always uses and never had a problem with. My sister and I got new beds and ever since that day he has started peeing on the corner of our beds. About a month later I got a new job so no one was home anymore and he is locked in the laundry for most of the day. He then started to pee in the bathroom and in the kitchen also including the beds. My mother isn't very nice to him anymore because she's sick of him peeing everywhere so he is a little scared of her.
Could that be one of the reasons or maybe because everything has changed. And how do I fix it??

[mogrann]

Are you saying your mom is abusing him?? If yes then you need to find him a new home, it is not fair of him to live in fear.

[Renae_Cots]

No she doesn't abuse him... she just doesn't pay him any attention anymore and the only time that she does actually give him attention now is when she's yelling at him.
I would never let her hit him and she doesn't do that anyway.

[Wondergirl]

If it were my cats peeing, I'd say it's because of the new beds -- different look, different smell.

I always read the Dog threads, and wonder if you kennel or crate your dog at all? That seems to be their special place, their den, sort of like cardboard boxes lying on their sides for our cats -- a place to nap and be alone.

[Wondergirl]

Shazzy, one of our Dogs experts wrote this in another thread --

Crate Training.

This is very similar to separation anxiety training. There are a few things to consider before actually starting the training:

Selecting a crate:
A dog's crate should be large enough for the dog to stand up in, turn around easily and be able to lay down comfortably.
Crates come in all shapes and sizes so shop around for one that best suits your dog's size.

I personally prefer to use all wire crates as to the plastic pet pack varieties as even though the plastic crates have ventilation they can become very hot.

When you leave, no matter how long for always have fresh water available, D-shaped water bowls are great for crates, they are shaped like a D and the flat part has clips to secure to the wire and prevent spills.

Toys are also a wonderful training tool as it will keep the dog distracted, I use kong toys stuffed with yummy food as a cure for boredom, having special toys or treats that the dog gets only when you go out are also a wonderful idea, it shows them that the crate is a good thing, not a punishment.

Another good idea for crates is to cover it with a blanket or sheet. You can leave the front open so the dog can see but having a blanket over the sides and back makes the dog feel more secure than a wire crate out in the open. Another reason I prefer wire crates, you can adjust the covering to suit the weather.

When crate training my dogs I first coax them into the crate with a yummy treat, I let them eat the treat in the crate and play with a toy in there. Once they are comfortable with being in the crate I give them another treat then lock the crate and then go sit away from the crate and ignore the puppy.

I only sit down for a minute or two, just long enough so that the dog does not bark or cry. I then walk over and let them out of the crate and give them praise for not crying.

Letting them out only if they are not crying is very important. If you let the dog out of the crate while it is crying it will only teach them that crying makes you come back and let them out.

Next time I sit down for a few more minutes, again only letting them out if the dog is not crying.

Increase the amount of time you sit for and always let them out before the dog starts crying (you will learn how long that threshold is pretty quickly)

This teaches the dog that they are not being left in the crate forever.

A lot of people prefer to leave the house while they are crating their dog to start with, this is purely personal preference, I have tried both and had more success with staying near the dog.

The only attention the dog should get should be an angry "no" from you when it cries to show it that crying is naughty. Just remember, however loud and hard your puppy is screaming do not let it out of the crate. It will calm down and then it can come out.

[Renae_Cots]

Yeah that makes sense but we've had them for a while now, and he's just started to pee in the bathroom and the kitchen which I don't understand.
He does have the whole laundry to himself which is away from everybody and when we do go out he gets locked up in there with he's toys and food. So I'm not sure why he's started this behavior

[mogrann]

How old is the dog? How long is he locked up for? Has he been to a vet to rule out a medical reason?

[LadySam]

I agree with Mogrann, best to rule out medical issues first, may not be training or behavoiral at all. Age related changes like diabetes, kidney disease, a simple and treatable UTI. Better to start with the medical issues and then work your way down to behavior.

[LadySam]

Clarification, I agree re: the medical issues not the abuse, that is not a fair assumption for me to make.

[ballengerb1]

You left out some details that most of us would find helpful. How old is you dog and how long have you had him? How much exercise does he get? Hiow often is he fed and watered and when? When was his last vet visit done and what did the vet say or test for?

[Renae_Cots]

He is about 6 years old now.. and I've had him ever since he was a puppy. He use to be walked everyday but that stopped about 2 years ago when we all got full time jobs and didn't have much time to walk him. He has food (biscuits) and water available for him all day, so he shouldn't be hungry or thirsty.
I've never had a problem with him until we got new beds and my mum started to dislike him due to he's behavior.

He hasn't been to a vet for about 2-3 years, the last time he went was because he had a swollen bottom and needed creams for it.

[Renae_Cots]

He is about 6 years old now.. and I've had him ever since he was a puppy. He use to be walked everyday but that stopped about 2 years ago when we all got full time jobs and didn't have much time to walk him. He has food (biscuits) and water available for him all day, so he shouldn't be hungry or thirsty.
I've never had a problem with him until we got new beds and my mum started to dislike him due to he's behavior.

He hasn't been to a vet for about 2-3 years, the last time he went was because he had a swollen bottom and needed creams for it.

[paleophlatus]

I wonder, I haven't seen whether you said he used to get on your beds, but since it started with the new beds, maybe he can't get on them as before. Coupled with the loss of your attention since the walks stopped and you've been gone so long daily, he may just feel like he doesn't really belong anymore. Dogs normally don't relieve themselves in areas of the house that they frequent a lot, just as most won't 'go' in their sleeping or eating areas.

Maybe Mom could take him for a short walk now and then? Just to see what he may do as a result? And to give him a little hope that he is still a part of the family?

So many people treat their pets like family members. What happens if they stop? What would you, as a family member, feel were it you suddenly feeling left out? I don't really believe dogs feel and are as rationalizing as humans, but I wouldn't swear to it.

[Sariss]

Surely you can make time to walk your dog. I work a full time job as well (50-60 hours a week), and still manage to take my dog for 3 walks a day (at least half an hour long each time). You just need to get up earlier, etc. No excuses.

Take your dog into the vet to ensure he doesn't have a urinary tract infection. If his physical is clear, then you need to start thinking about what is causing it. I would start with walking him.

[Lucky098]

Your dog is displaced. Displaced dogs do strange things, such as peeing in the house. I don't think this is a permanent form of separation anxiety, it can be fixed. You and your family just need to apply yourselves.

First, purchase a male wrap. This will prevent him from actually peeing on things. It is contained in a diaper and will eliminate the frustration you and your family experience when you see him.

Second, Don't make a big deal about it, especially if the pee is hours to minutes old. The only way you can correct a mistake is if you catch them in the act of doing it. But just clean up the mess with a good enzyme-based cleaner and move on. Dogs don't understand punishment the way people do. If a dog knows you are unhappy with his behavior, he will just continue that same behavior. If you ignore the undesirable behavior, he will redirect in a different way, which is why you always want him to do something you like.

Introduce a crate. Your dog is 6 years old, he can handle being in a crate for 8 hours. Crates keep good dogs good. I don't condone a crate for 8 hours, but if it helps you like your dog again, then it something that will have to happen. When you are gone, and he is in his crate, be sure to leave the radio on or the TV. Just picture yourself sitting in a room in the dead silence. Itd probably drive you bonkers as well. Introduce the crate slowly, on a weekend where everyone is home and just randomly put him in it throughout the day with treats and toys. I don't advise treats and toys while you're not around, but for practice runs and to enforce that the crate is good, treats and toys work great!

Exercise, exercise, exercise! Even the calmest of breeds still need to get out and stretch their legs. Make your dog tired. Make him go until he stops. Take him to dog parks, regular parks, pets store that allow pets, obedience/agility classes and so on. Your day may have ended when you clocked out, but his just started when you got home. Don't expect a dog that's been cooped up all day to be a good dog... That just won't ever happen. Tired dogs aren't as needy for attention and a lot of the undesirable behaviors begin to disappear, such as peeing in the house.

Your dog can be fixed.. you just need to put effort into it. He needs you to help him!

[Cat1864]

You have been given some great advice so far.

Something else you haven't mentioned: Is he neutered?

What breed(s) is he?

Does he still have his doggy door available all day or is he now having to wait to be let out?

Has he always been put in the laundry room as his place or has this started since people stopped having time for him? Has it been thoroughly checked for marking?

It sounds like he is reacting to tension as well as environmental changes. Crating may help, but only if he is given the work and attention he needs. Otherwise, it will be another way to shut him out of the family.

Many people don't realize their dog can be a productive member of the household. Putting him to work is quality time to him especially if he gets paid in treats. Even small dogs can learn to pick up dropped papers or other small items.

[Renae_Cots]

He is a maltease/poodle.
The Laundry has a door that's also attached to the backyard so that's where the doggy door leads to and the laundry is always open when we're home so he can walk around the house and be with us but when no one is home he is locked in the laundry but like I said he has access to the doggy door all day and can go outside when ever he pleases. This is why I don't like the idea of a crate, because he gets a whole room to himself filled with toys, food and water and access to the backyard 24/7.
I let him come on my bed but my mum tells him off and that's happened ever since we've got him so I don't think that's the issue..

At the moment I think it is because the beds are new in the house and he does miss going for walks.

[Renae_Cots]

I am 19 years old... So when I'm not working I like to spend time with friends as every teenager would.
I understand what your saying about walks... but he hasn't been on a walk for a very long time now. As I said this peeing behavior has only started ever since we got the new beds..

[Cat1864]

Is he neutered?

You're looking at his problem from a human perspective. Try looking at from his.

About a month later I got a new job so no one was home anymore and he is locked in the laundry for most of the day.

You bring in new furniture at a time when he seems to be pretty much ignored. He may have run of the house when people are there, but it sounds like people are there less and less and he is spending more and more time on his own.

How much positive attention does he get? Does anyone play with him? Does anyone spend time grooming and petting him? Does anyone do more than yell at him?

How much time do you spend with him? How much time are you actually in the house to know where he spends his time and how your mother actually treats him?

I am not trying to be harsh, but you almost make him sound like a doll you put on the shelf two years ago. He is a living creature that needs structure and attention. Your schedule changed when you got a new job. You say that you are no longer home during the day. If you go to school and hang out with friends, where does that leave him?

Your life has changed, but his needs haven't.

[Renae_Cots]

No he's not neutered...
I will get home on a weekday at about 8:00pm. I pet him and lay with him in bed before I go to sleep, and sometimes I give him "dinner" (dried biscuits and canned food) on occasion which he gets very excited about, its almost like giving him a treat.

He is not a doll that sits on a shelf as you have called it.. I've had him for 6 years and I love him very much.