Dog urinating on carpet. Dog trained is trained with dog door. Why?

8 years ago

I have a female rescue dog (5 yrs old) named Gigi. At our house, we have a doggie dog and Gigi has never had an accident in the house. Also our entire house has hard wood floor with a few rugs. We have had Gigi for over 3 years and not once has she ever urinated in the house.

My mother in law often takes care of Gigi when we are traveling. At the mother in laws house, Gigi has urinated on the carpet. We always attributed this problem because there is no doggie dog and Gigi was not able to make it outside. My mother in law also has an older male yellow lab.

We are remodeling our house and have moved in with my mother in law. We have installed a doggie dog so no accidents would occur. Gigi knows how to use the doggie door at the new house. After the 1st day of move in, I caught Gigi starting to urinate on the carpet!

I was thinking that she was marking her territory but this has happened at my parents house too. My parents have no pets and brand new carpet (no residual dog smell). Why does Gigi urinate only on the carpet? More importantly how do I stop this problem?

Thanks for your help!

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Comments (5)

annztoo
8 years ago
There can be several reasons why she's peeing in the house.

1. It's not unusual for dogs to pee on new carpet. Not sure why but a carpet layer told me he see's it all the time. Something about the smell of new carpet.

2. It's possible your MIL's dog has had some accidents she's not aware of and your dog is marking where's the other dog has gone.

3. Just because a doggy door is installed (anywhere) doesn't mean your dog will use it. It sounds like your dog hasn't gotten into the routine of living in a different house and the stress of the move has probably caused some anxiety. Plus, there may be something on the other side of the doggy door she doesn't like.

4. Your dog could also have some urinary problems, either stones or an infection, so it warrants a trip to the vet to rule out that possibility.

For now, I'd suggest you walk your dog outside often so that she becomes comfortable with the surroundings. There could be a neighbors dog or something else outside that she's afraid of. Take her out thru the door that has the doggy door and when she does pee/poop give her lots of praise (treats are optional). While outside, observe her reactions to anything in the general area.

Purchase a black light to find any missed pee spots and treat them with a product made for pet urine. The black light will also show if your MIL's dog has had any accidents. The little things that show up with a black light can be scary. :) Also, don't assume every spot is pee. Food and liquid spills can also leave spots that show up with the black light, so to determine if it's truly pee.......you'll need to smell it.
madismom5
8 years ago
vet check to make sure you aren't dealing with a uti. Good luck
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User
8 years ago
Vet check and then treat 100% like a puppy. Out when she wakes, out when she eats, out when you see she's excited, etc, etc. Praise when she pees out side. Hopefully lead her thru the pet door when headed out.
Luis Dogalyo
2 years ago
Oh, the mysteries of Gigi's carpet chronicles! Your dedication to her well-being is truly admirable. Here are a few thoughts that might shed some light on Gigi's unique bathroom preferences:
1. Scent Sensitivity: Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and it's possible that the scent of new carpet or even subtle odors from previous accidents (perhaps undetectable to us) trigger Gigi's need to mark her territory.
2. Stress or Anxiety: Moving to a new environment, even with a familiar doggie door, can be stressful for dogs. Anxiety might manifest in unexpected bathroom behaviors. Has anything changed in Gigi's routine lately?
3. Competition with the Lab: The presence of another dog, especially an older male, might be influencing Gigi's behavior. It could be a territorial response or a way of asserting herself.
4. Vet Check: A sudden change in bathroom habits could also be a sign of an underlying health issue. A visit to the vet might help rule out any medical concerns.
To tackle the issue:
- Positive Reinforcement: Praise Gigi enthusiastically when she uses the doggie door and eliminates outside.
- Establish Routine: Take her out consistently, especially after meals and before bedtime, reinforcing the routine she's familiar with.
- Odor Elimination: Thoroughly clean any accident spots with a pet-safe cleaner to eliminate residual scents.
It's like solving a furry puzzle, and your patience and love for Gigi will surely guide her back to being a carpet connoisseur in a more acceptable way!
Stax
2 years ago
Huh?