We have a 14 week old doodle named Wally. We've had him for 6 weeks now. He is such a love! He is doing as expected in all areas, except two. For one thing, I think he has a carpet preference for peeing! We tried to be very careful from the minute we brought him home about avoiding accidents so we wouldn't be teaching him the wrong things. We took him out frequently, certainly after waking, eating or/and drinking, right before allowing play, didn't leave the water dish down, etc. He never soiled his crate, and has never pooped in the house. He did have a few accidents here and there even though we were careful. We think after running, fetching and getting excited, he would need to go and we didn't know it since only 20 minutes may have passed. He didn't always give clues, like the sniffing and walking in a circle,etc. Anyway, he did go on the carpet a few times, the weird thing is, he acted as if he should. Kind of like when he goes outside, the minute he hits the grass, he does his thing. Same with carpeting! We have a lot of hardwood so we have been keeping him off of the carpet, but the other day he went out, so I gave him a try in the family room and he did it again. Always in a different spot (we use Nature's Miracle whenever it happens) so it isn't that his drawn to his scent or anything. I wondered if I put a carpet remnant in his crate with his food bowl on it, if that might retrain his thinking? Any ideas? I kind of remember seeing pics. of his littermates and him in his pen at the breeders, and I think there was carpet or something soft like that on the floor for them. I think they peed in a certain corner or something right on it. I know they eventually learned potty manners and ended up on tile, but could that have been enough to stick with him?
Also, he dribbles whenever he is greeted by anyone. I don't think it is submissive peeing because he jumps on them, licks them, wags his tail like crazy, chases them down, and has never done it with dogs I know he is afraid of and feels submissive to. I would think if ever he would do it, it would be with the other dogs in obedience class that are aggressive (instead he hides under a chair when they come around!) Overall he enjoys meeting most dogs, has had lots of experiences that have all been positive, and acts pretty confident. Could it be excitable peeing and if so, is there anything I can do about it except take him out before guests come over, and ask people not to make too big a fuss over him so he doesn't get overexcited? Will he outgrow this? Sorry soooo lonnnnggg! Thanks!
Also, he dribbles whenever he is greeted by anyone. I don't think it is submissive peeing because he jumps on them, licks them, wags his tail like crazy, chases them down, and has never done it with dogs I know he is afraid of and feels submissive to. I would think if ever he would do it, it would be with the other dogs in obedience class that are aggressive (instead he hides under a chair when they come around!) Overall he enjoys meeting most dogs, has had lots of experiences that have all been positive, and acts pretty confident. Could it be excitable peeing and if so, is there anything I can do about it except take him out before guests come over, and ask people not to make too big a fuss over him so he doesn't get overexcited? Will he outgrow this? Sorry soooo lonnnnggg! Thanks!
