[Cinnamon's Mom]

I "dogsit" a friend's shepherd mix and Sarah (the dog) and Cinnamon (my 'doodle) are the best playmates. But we've been having a problem in paradise. Sarah has started to pee in the house. She is 5 or 6 yrs old, spayed, and we've sat for her for about 4 years now when her family is out of town (once or twice a month). She started this about 4 months ago and it's getting so I can't trust her and she stays "locked up" unless I can watch her. Any ideas on what may have started this? Sarah's owner tells me she is starting to act up at her mother's too (Sarah's "grandma"). Now for the big question, what stops it? I really don't want her to give Cin any ideas! She is fine at her own house and can stay 10 hours without potty breaks during the day.

Cinnamon just lays beside the gate to the laundry room and sighs. She doesn't understand why she and Sarah can't play.

 

[Cinnamon's Mom]

Doggie diapers are an option I hadn't thought of. I have some left over from Cinnamon's puppy days (she tore them up, so I have a lot left over!)

I stay with them pretty much during the day and she will pee right in front of me, once right after she'd been outside and I watched her void outside. So it's not like she hasn't had the opportunity to go. I know that sometimes female dogs will mark territory, but why now? Cinnamon has been around for over a year and we've had a dog before her (a male cocker) so I'm not real sure what she's thinking!

 

[Cinnamon's Mom]

I've got a theory, and I might be way off base here, but what do you think?

Sarah's home hasn't got a big back yard and no fence so she is tied up when she is outside. Here, she can roam the back yard for as long as she wants (almost). The times she has gone in the my house is when I won't let her out because of some reason, like it's raining or it's late. I know dogs aren't supposed to reason, but do you think she's "punishing" me for her not getting her way? It almost seems like she is looking for attention especially when she does it right in front of me. :?

By the way, Sarah adores my hubby and hasn't done anything in front of him. She's done it while he's been home, but always in front of me. Cinnamon shares "Dad" but she gets kind of jealious about "Mom". I think it's because Cin has always had to share Dad, so for her it's ok. Sarah, I think, tolerates me because I'm the one who "serves" her! Just to know what goes on in their minds! :wink: