Lulu has forgotten her potty training

[cmgny42]

Ugh. Lulu just turned 4 last week and for some reason she has forgotten her potty training. She is litterbox trained and she has decided she can go anywhere around the box but doesn't have to always go IN the box.

I can't figure out why this is happening. I scold her everytime she goes on our rug and praise her (and give her treats) when she goes in her litterbox. I am sure she smells the scent of her previous potties on the rug no matter how hard I try to eliminate the smell.

The only thing I can think of is that my sister's dog, Gracie, is pee pad trained and goes on a pad when she visits us. Do you think Lulu thinks because Gracie doesn't go in a box that she doesn't have to either? Do you think there could be something else causing her to do this? I could cry every time I have to scold her for going on the rug.

HELP!

[QuickSilver]

Is it possible she has a UTI? That's often the cause when fully trained dogs suddenly start going everywhere, esp. females.

If she gets a clean bill of health from the vet, I would go back to the basics. Get out her crate, keep both eyes on her when she's out of it, etc. After being trained for four years, I'm sure she will remember what to do after a week or two.

She is gorgeous, by the way!

[cmgny42]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Is it possible she has a UTI? That's often the cause when fully trained dogs suddenly start going everywhere, esp. females.

If she gets a clean bill of health from the vet, I would go back to the basics. Get out her crate, keep both eyes on her when she's out of it, etc. After being trained for four years, I'm sure she will remember what to do after a week or two.

She is gorgeous, by the way!

Thank you for your help. I don't think she has a UTI because she does go in her box some of the time but I will watch her and take her to the vet if things change. I didn't even think of that.

Sometimes it almost seems like she is doing the potty in the wrong place on purpose. She definitely gets enough attention so I don't think it is that. I may have to go back and do her training again like you suggested.

Again, thanks for your help!

[eauxbehv]

I have a Lulu too she is 5 months and has forgotten how to use her puppy pads unless she is in the pen.

[YorkieMother]

Also check and see if her hormone levels are high enough to keep the bladder valve closed.
Females that have been fixed can have problems in this area and will wet at nap and when distracted from keeping it clamoed shut.
It can lead to UTI and make things worse.

Ok so on top of that ignore the fact she pees take her out of the room and clean up without her insight and make no fuss or scold. Your are rewarding even with negative attention that which you do not want and will increase the likely hood of it happening. Pull out the attention low key and calm when she gets it right.

JL

[YorkieMother]

Originally Posted by eauxbehv

I have a Lulu too she is 5 months and has forgotten how to use her puppy pads unless she is in the pen.

Dogs do not generalize so peeing on the puppy pad in the pen is not the same as peeing on it out side of the pen. Go back to square one and teach it to the new locations each time you move the puppy pad.

JL

[lysiane_souris]

I think it is very possible that your puppy is thinking that dog doesnt have to go in the box why should I. My friends just got a new puppy and well he still has alot of accidents and well her 4 year old dog started to pee on the carpet were her puppy would. And before this he would never ever have any accidents so we all think it is because of the new puppy and his accidents. Good luck

[AprilLove]

When their potty habits change all of a sudden, the first thing I think of is medical issues. Please take her to the vet to first rule out any UTI or other issue.
Then if that checks out, has there been any change in her day to day routine? Have you moved, has anyone moved in, family changes, etc??? Schedule the same?

I do not believe they potty out of spite or being mad
When you are scolding her for going on the rug, are you catching her in the act or are you finding it then "scolding" her? (For what its worth, I don't believe in scolding, I think just a "look" tells them you are dissapointed. )

There is almost always a "reason" when your furbaby changes their potty habbits after being completly housebroken and trustworthy.If you can think back and track to when she started to stray you might find the reason, if it is not medical.

[cmgny42]

Thank you everyone for your help. Lulu is doing better with her pottying in the last few days. For some reason, getting a treat for doing it right has been helping. I don't think she has a UTI but will keep a watch on this. Accidents have been to a minimum (*knock on wood*).

The scolding didn't work and seemed to make things worse. I only scolded her right when she made the mistake--could tell it just happened or was able to catch her in the act.