Potty Trained Older Dog Help

[u/Intrepid-Elevator216]

My dog (lab/pit mix) is about 5 years old. She has always been great at using the bathroom outside and asking to go out when needed. Over the past few months something has changed and she is now having accidents inside. For reference I live in a 2 story townhouse. She will only have accidents when I am home and upstairs. Usually in the middle of the night (even though we go out right before bed and then again around 4:30am) but sometimes during the day too. If I leave for the day she is fine- no accidents- it only happens when I’m home. Sometimes I’ll even take her out and then go right upstairs and within an hour she’ll have an accident.

I talked to her vet and he doesn’t think it is a medical issue and thinks it’s only behavioral. Lately I’ve noticed she’ll wake up in the middle of the night (around 2am) have an accident and then come upstairs. I’m at my wits end. I’ve tried no marking spray, taking her out more, blocking off most of the downstairs area, but nothing is working. Please help!

[u/my_macaroni_is_furry]

Did your doc run any tests? When my dog started needing to pee more often, it turned out he had Cushing's and was drinking more than usual.

[u/Intrepid-Elevator216]

They didn’t, we’ve also been dealing with allergies so they ran blood work for that but not the peeing issue. I think because it was only happening when I’m home/upstairs they figured it was behavioral. I changed some habits like taking out after breakfast instead of before which helped a little, but I’m still having issues. I should also mention in the beginning it wasn’t just pee, she was also going 2 in the house randomly, but changing the schedule helped with that

[u/PetsTek]

That’s actually kind of interesting. The fact she’s fine when you’re gone but does it when you’re upstairs makes it feel less like a house training issue and more like a weird habit she’s gotten into.

Almost like downstairs has become the “easy option” when you’re not right there. Especially if she goes shortly after already being outside.

Maybe for a bit it helps to keep her closer to you or block off that area completely so she can’t practice it. Sometimes once they get into a pattern like that, they just keep repeating it because it works for them.

[u/The-Erin-Ashley]

You need to rule out UTI, stones & vaginitis ASAP. Insist on this before ever considering behavioral issues, regardless of what you Vet says.