BCThyme

Hi all. Well, it's been a week....and (knock on wood), not a single accident. Merlin is occasionally telling me he needs to go out by leaning against or looking at a room divider or door that moves us from the room we are in toward the door we go out to potty. I am also learning to read his other signals if he doesn't directly tell me. He enjoys and responds well to the praise and treat when he pees outside. For anyone coming along and reading this post later, here is what I did using the wonder advice above: made sure it was not a health issue by running urinalysis (no UTI, normal urine specificity, and no sugar) removed all towels/rugs from day use crates; left towel in night crate (he never had an accident in the night crate) keeping him with me constantly or in crate really looking for and learning his signals (my other border collie got a vacation at his favorite aunts for 5 days so I could really focus on Merlin for a bit) because he can tank up on water in the evening (and plays with the water bowl), water is limited in the evening and given in small portions many times throughout day (I will eventually go back to water anytime when I am confident we've learned to always go outside) changed food to one I was confident on salt level being acceptable removed all treats that could be salty (tanking up on water seems to be dissipating so this could have really been a factor) high praise and high high value treat when peeing outside (was already doing this, but really stepped it up) use a word while he is going potty (mine is "potty potty potty") - was already doing this, but listing it as something extremely useful encouraged second pee (using the potty words) before returning inside if 1st pee was short (and yes, he does occasionally need a second pee) I also contacted and leveraged guidance from his breeder who was wonderfully supportive and helpful. I know I'm not out of the woods yet and that the occasional accident will be part of the learning, but a week without an accident seems to mean Merlin and I are learning and are headed in the right direction. Thank you all! You rock and have helped bring sanity back to my world (and my other Border Collie's world too) Leslie, Whitley (my 9 year old BC) and Merlin, the pup

Hi all. Again, thank you for all othe great information! Just a quick update on how we're doing: We initiated many of the recommendations, including taking him back to the beginning of training, keeping him with me, removing towels from crates, etc I've begun a transition to a new dog food of which I'm more confident of the sodium level (could not find sodium level in the original food) and is a high quality adult food Allowing water in small portions regularly throughout the day and avoiding any "tanking up" in the evening. Replaced all treats that had could have a high salt content (I believe 2 of the treats I had recently initiated were higher in salt) Confirmed that urinalysis vet ran last week looked a Urine specificity and any sugar.....all normal I've even had my other bc go on a doggy vacation with his favorite aunt for a few days so that he is out any stress and I can 100% focus on pup So far, Merlin is responding to everything. Signals are clearer....although I'm surely experiencing some trips outside to exchange a token small dribble pee for a high value treat....at this point, I'm totally OK with that! And I'm well armed with "that's just how they are" (eg, I'd rather play than pee) so I know how to handle. Definitely feeling better than I was when I posted 2 days ago. Of course, this is not an indication of the future, but hopefully, a beginning. I'll keep this group posted and thank you again, for taking the time to share your wisdom! Leslie the more confident fur mom and Merlin the extremely clever pup

Thank you everyone for all your awesome advice! I'm armed with great ideas from everyone! And really feel the BC love. Just to answer a few of the questions: UTI was morning catch and problem had been going on for 2 weeks before we ran it. He has no other signs of a UTI (eg, blood in urine, straining, pain on urination) so I'm OK ruling that out at this point. That said, I totally concur that there is a chance this still could be health related, even an uncaught UTI and will certainly feel better if I check all those boxes. Thanks for ideas. He pees right when we go out because I use the potty potty potty words and he does seem to know we're not playing or doing anything unless he goes. In the morning, I typically get a long pee. The rest of the day, they seem to be "I'll just give her a little pee so I can get my treat and move on to playing". I'll report back in a few days....as long as my hands haven't fallen off with all the cleaning....

Hi Rushdoggie, thank you for your response!! May I ask a few additional questions and share a bit more info so I'm clear? All points: I work from home and on confernce calls for up to 3 hours at a time. I can't keep him tethered to me at those points due to inability to leap up and take him out. Should I put him in bedroom crate? Point 2: One of the kennels that he has peed in, is a small cage. It is hard to get away from his pee. He has peed in it with a towel in there. So, I can try no towel, but when he pees, do I leave him there or take him out. Seems like if I jump up to take him out, he is rewarded for peeing in his crate, but just want to check as I'm not sure its healthy to sit in his pee. (he can squeeze to one end). Point 4: I've used "potty potty potty" any time he pees since he arrived Point 5: I say a loud "no" and whisk him outside (hard to do this quickly this time of year when you have to bundle up). I don't get mad (sad/disspointed/frustrated...can't say that these don't cross my mind!) Answering waffles question: Potty schedule: first thing in morning and within 15 minutes of breakfast. 3 hours later (he is crated durig this time). Play/free time outside and nside for 30min to hour. Take out. 3 hours crate. Then 1-2 hours outside/inside play and training time. Then his dinner with outside before and within 15 min of dinner. (he drinks the tons of water during this part of his routine). Leave free roaming with me until 9pm when I have dinner. Take out prior to my dinner. Then crated while I eat and watch TV. take out before bed. The evening is the worst when he does the major water consumption. He did just pee inside for the first time this morning after just taking him out 10 min before....while I was putting on my coat. Does this sound behavioral?

Hi all. Happy to find this discussion board as I'm at my wits end trying to housebreak a 6 month old. Welcome any suggestions as I've tried several things and it feels as though the situation is getting worse. Detailed Background (apologies for length): I've had border collies and currently have a 9 year old very quiet BC. Puppy is 6 month old male, not neutered. Acquired from breeder 5 weeks ago. Unclear level of housebreaking, but was told he was housebroken. Drinks tons of water, mainly in the evening around dinner and after. Accidents happen mainly in evening, but just started this morning as well. 2 kennels on main floor and one in bedroom for night time. No accidents in bedroom kennel, but will pee in main floor kennels (cage kennels). These kennels are small. Will pee on rugs, tile, in most rooms. Has peed 3 times on couch. Attempted: 7 day routine based kennel housebreak training; giving a high value treat when goes outside (only started 5 days ago.....but accidents have increased since then). He has playtime in house and outside, with training times. He is kennelled when I work in morning for about 3 hours and afternoon for 3 hours. Accidents seem to be related to times of high water consumption...except for this morning when he went outside, did not consume water, told me he needed to pee and then peed while I got my coat on. He is telling me 50% of the time when he needs to go out. He does not appear to totally void his bladder except in the morning. No issues with pooping inside. I am doing training with him daily and he learns really fast....just not on this. Very intense eater. A little food agressive, but I've solved that. Feeding a large breed puppy food at breeders recommendation. (she said until 1 year). This week, checked for UTI/worms and all clear. My vet feels it may be behavioral and just had me start the high value treat when he pees outside 5 days ago. I also believe it may be behavioral, but the behavioral is related to him consuming tons of water....almost like his food. Maybe to keep other dog from drinking? I don't want to restrict water, but am having a tough time. Could it be his food? Treats? Today I started feeling it begin to impact my relationship with him after 3 accidents last night...amidst taking him outside 5 times in the span of 1 hour. Finding it hard to be positive and need encouragement!