Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my Great Pyrenees mix puppy for four months now and she is about eight months old. She knows that she's supposed to go potty out side and tries to let me know when she has to go (she'll walk up to the front door when I walk toward her). She always goes pee when I take her out. The problem is that she needs to go every hour! If no one notices her subtle way of telling us that she's got to go, then it's all over the floor. She's fine when she is in her pen during the day and goes all night without going out with no problem, but I hate for her to be locked up when I can't give her constant supervision. I'd like to be able to give her more freedom but she can't seem to hold it. I thought that by eight months she would have more control? What can I do?

Take her out at least once per hour whenever you are at home and awake. She may need less outings eventually, or she may always need this many. Her body has to hold it all night and whenever you are gone. It has to catch up on relieving when you are at home and awake, so she has to go out more often. Do NOT wait for her to ask. Get her out with this frequency.

Also consider having her checked for urinary tract infection. That is very common in female dogs. And if she is not yet spayed, hormones may be involved. Ask your veterinarian about that, too.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I would definitely take a 1st time in the morning urine sample in to the vet to see if she may have a urinary tract infection. Otherwise just keep a close watch on her to see when she has to go out.
staffordmom