Peeing because he is mad at me?

[tkelly]

Bentley is 9 months old. He is potty trained as long as we are home. He rings a bell by the door when he wants out. When we are at work is a different story. I know he can hold it that long because he does it when we are home. He is peeing in the floor while we are at work. Always in the same place. My living room STINKS! I bought a belly band today. I also bought some pet block spray. I don't know what else to do. My husband is really tired of it. Bentley has also started tearing up books off of the book shelf. They have always been there and he has never bothered them until this week. Any advice? Any reason why I shouldn't use the belly bands while we are at work?

Thanks!

[brezofleur]

I can't help with the peeing, but the book destruction sounds like he's bored. He is, after all, still just a baby. Do you have toys out while you're gone? It may be smart to get some interactive toys to keep him occupied.

[DvlshAngel985]

I was getting poop in my room as soon as I left for work. And my boy is 4!!! He's been potty trained to perfection the 3 years I've had him. I did the one thing I swore I'd never do, I started crating Kaji. If Kaji pottied (pee and poop) when I took him out, then he could have free reign in my room. When he doesn't, crate time. It's been a month and no more accidents. (So far, knock on wood) I also use nature's miracle to clean up after accidents. That helps too. One last thing, is he neutered? He might be marking. Do you tire him out before work? (Long walk) he might be bored and have too much energy. Bad combination.

[Harrysmum]

I must admit, if Harry was peeing all over the place and ripping up books, I wouldn't be too happy either....

I think maybe he is too young still to have free roam, he has to EARN that priviledge. Personally, I think he needs to be kept in a puppy-friendly space while you're out, maybe a gated room with all his things in it.

What if he were to change his pee-spot and go on anything electrical? I truly think he needs to be more confined, for his own safety as well as your husband's sanity.... Sally + Harry x

[AngelFae]

I would confine him more, clean the spot he's been peeing on really well and then cover that spot with a puppy pad so that if he does it again, at least it's on the pad! Also, get him some new toys! When my boys start to destroy things that they shouldn't it's always out of boredom.

[tkelly]

These are all great ideas. Some of them are already in practice. I will give more info and see what you think. I don't crate him while we are gone because we have another indoor dog who is free. She is older and doesn't get into stuff. I feel like it is cruel to crate him while she is out. We do have a baby gate up and they are both confined to the living room. His toys are out and they play together constantly (at least when we are home). Perhaps I should leave a bully stick out while we are gone? The belly band worked well while I was gone for a couple hours this morning, but I know it is only a band-aid. Keep the ideas coming! I love yokietalk and being able to come here for advice.

[tkelly]

Also forgot to mention that he destroys a puppy pad within 10 minutes of me leaving. It ends up in 1000 pieces all over the room. Frustrating!

[Verbena]

I would not leave a bully stick. They should be only given to them when there is supervision. Some dogs have got a piece lodged in their throat and died. I would get an ex pen and put it in the living room. Make his space smaller. Also take him out for a walk before you leave. And get a few interactive toys that he only gets when you go out. Kong with frozen peanut butter or pumpkin. A ball that makes noises. Good luck. Kept use posted on how things go

[alaskayorkie]

Yeah, sounds like boredom might be part of the problem. Chewing up the pee pad and other stuff sound like symptoms to me. Try to establish a routine where he knows when play time is. Mine know they get a walk in the morning and a walk at night, then some training or play time in between. When they learn they can count on that exercise time, they're more inclined to wait patiently.

In the meantime, maybe set up something larger than a crate but where you can control what gets peed on. Maybe a 10-foot xpen with a bed on one side, pee pad on the other and a sheet on the bottom. At worst, you can wash the sheet and protect the carpet. If he keeps chewing up the pee pad, put it in a litter box.

And there are other toys you can leave that are safer than bully sticks. As Verbena suggested, a Kong stuffed with something yummy might work. My experience is that once they learn that exercise comes when I get home from work they don't need stuff to occupy them during the day.

Good luck!

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by tkelly

These are all great ideas. Some of them are already in practice. I will give more info and see what you think. I don't crate him while we are gone because we have another indoor dog who is free. She is older and doesn't get into stuff. I feel like it is cruel to crate him while she is out. We do have a baby gate up and they are both confined to the living room. His toys are out and they play together constantly (at least when we are home). Perhaps I should leave a bully stick out while we are gone? The belly band worked well while I was gone for a couple hours this morning, but I know it is only a band-aid. Keep the ideas coming! I love yokietalk and being able to come here for advice.

What's better, training him fully and having him earn his free reign, or trying to be "fair"? (A concept I assure you isn't helping) I would listen to Mike. I'm not a fan of the crate and used an expen when I first got Kaji. My roomies each had a dog, and both pups had free roam of our condo. Kaji was expened until HE EARNED his free roam just like the other two dogs did before him. I don't have room for it now in my current apt so we went with a crate. I swear i hate it, but Kaji needs to learn i mean it when i say no pottying in my room. Same concept is used for both expen and crate. (confined to an easily managed space).