English bulldog potty training

stumped · New member Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

:( Could someone please help me out? I have an english bulldog that was doing well on potty training and then all of the sudden he started urinating in his cage. One day he was sitting up on the couch with my husband and just sat there and wet all over the couch and my husband. I know this was sorta funny but he wets on his blankets and won't stop and he goes outside and I praise him and give him a treat for being a good boy.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

How old is he? You might want to take him to the vet and get him checked for a urinary tract infection.

Other than that, you're just going to have to be super-vigilant. Take him out after eating, drinking, playing, or sleeping. Take him out every hour even if he isn't doing any of those things. Go out with him, give him a command (like "go potty") and then praise and treat him when he is done. You can even reserve some really, really nice treats for him that he only gets for going potty outside. Make sure you have cleaned all the places he has gone inside with an enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature's Miracle.

It's odd for a dog to suddenly start peeing in his crate, unless he is being left too long and can't hold it. This is why I think you should take him to the vet to rule out medical issues. Some pups do regress in their training at various "rebellious" stages of puppyhood, but if you go back to basics they usually snap out of it.

stumped · New member Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

He is 1 year old this month. I did forget to tell you he was born with a genetic problem with his one right front leg. He will be operated on Jan 10 to try and help him with a screw put in to hold the leg straight. He is really lazy or just sleeps a lot but moves really slow upon getting up. I am going to ask the vet if maybe he is getting arthritis already. I talked to girl that had a bulldog that had a potty problem because of this and he was a brother to my puppy said after the dr put him on the arthritis meds the problem stopped. I don't know if this happens to be what is going on with mine but next Tuesday maybe the vet will be able to tell me. I have just never had a dog that would crawl up on the couch and lay on a comforter and wet. I have bleached the comforter, tried washing the comforter in vinegar but it doesn't matter if we go off and leave him even just for an hour he will wet on the cover. I feel guilty putting him in a cage for just an hour but seems he does this just to say -don't leave me.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

Wetting when you are gone can be a separation anxiety issue. A crate might be a good idea, or confine him to a room with a tile floor like a bathroom or kitchen or laundry room.

You might try getting an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle to use for removing urine odor and stains. It might be too late for the cover now since you have already tried other things, but it can't hurt!

coppersmom · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject:

Is he fixed?? I've been reading about Zoey's incontinence problem and it said it can happen in younger dogs too once they're fixed.

stumped · New member Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 3

No he hasn't been fixed the vet said most that are fixed get really overweight and said his leg doesn't need all that extra weight on it. I did have a lady tell me to get him fixed because he could never father puppies because he would hand this genetic problem on down. But I haven't asked the vet about that just know he said he didnt want to fix him because he needs to stay as small as he can and be healthy for that leg not to give him more problems.

Jamiya · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 5593

Getting fixed has nothing to do with gaining weight. That is a myth and if your vet believes it, I would find a new vet. Diet and exercise (and the lack thereof) influences weight gain.

Often un-fixed male dogs will mark their territory, and it is very hard to get them to stop. Neutering before this starts is the best option, and it can also help after the marking behavior has begun but it does take longer at that point.

Get your dog neutered. Whether he is neutered or not, you should be monitoring his weight - either with a scale or just by looking at him. You should be able to easily feel the ribs but not see them. In your dog's case, erring on the thin side would be better than on the fat side, because of his leg. Adjust food and exercise accordingly. You can feed a senior food or supplement with things like veggies to help fill him up without making him fat, since he can't exercise much.

I continuously keep an eye on my dogs' weights, to maintain them in optimal health. I adjust food and exercise accordingly.