Seperation Anxiety or Something else????

[mbrandkamp]

Dakota is almost 4 years old. She has always got really upset when we leave for work, barking and running around the house like crazy. But now a new problem has come up. She was completly house trained. Just a couple months ago she started urinating in the house between 07:30 and 11:15, that's when I come home for lunch to let her and my 11 year old sheltie out for lunch. We live in Texas and it is really hot now. We go out later in the evening for playtime and she loves playing hard with her ball and frisbe and loves to chase birds and does not drink alot of water when she is playing because she is so focused on playing. But in the morning, she drinks quite a bit of water. We have had her to the vet for a urine samples, ultrasound of her bladder and kidneys and blood test for sugar. All have came back normal. I am stumped!

Thanks,

Marla

 

[MavRyder]

So sorry to hear that.
I had a Lhasa that peed in my house for most of his life so I know how upsetting it can be. Neither of my Shelties have so far peed in my house since being trained.
First get rid of those urine smells on you floors. I recommend its a miracle. Which brings out the smell of urine even more. Put aluminum foil over it after dousing it with its a miracle , dogs hate it, on top of the stain for a week. Then wash, rub, and vacuum.
Neither of my dogs get free run of my house when I am not here. Maverick my 3.5 year old would never soil or eat my house. Ryder on the other hand might call all his fur buddies and have a big party. Maverick is locked up in the four season room and Ryder in his crate in the office.
I make leaving fun!!! and both dogs cant get me out the house fast enough. Food dispensing toys, frozen yogurt with peanut butter in a kong, or just food in a kong.

 

[Caro]

Peeing can be a sign of true separation anxiety (as opposed to just being upset). Has anything changed in your routine or neighbourhood? Its unusual that this should turn into anxiety without another stressor. Can you set up a camera to work out exacly when she is peeing? If its happening within half an hour of you leaving it is more likely to be stress.

In the meantime I agree that you should try to make leaving fun - hiding treats, leaving kongs or treat bottles (there are a couple of threads atm with ideas). If its anxiety there are also some more complicated processes for dealing with it. Dr Patricia McConnell's booklet called I'll be home soon: How to prevent and treat separation anxiety is excellent for strategies to deal with anxiety (and also how to recognise it).

 

[corbinam]

Is she peeing in the same area? I might consider somehow blocking her off from where she has accustomed to peeing. I use baby gates sometimes to keep the dogs in one area or another.