Mature pad-trained dog suddenly peeing on bathroom mats Options

[DrNugu]

Hi everyone. This is my first-time posting. Nice to meet everyone.

My female 6 year old maltese-terrier mix is suddenly peeing on my bathroom rugs. She's done it 3 times in a row and I've scolded her, but she keeps doing it.

It's very bizarre because she has been trained to use an apartment pad since she was a pup.

What's going on? Nothing has changed in our house, no new people or furniture or situation as far as I can see. I understand that dogs like to pee on soft, grass-like stuff (i.e. rugs), but this is new behavior.

Thanks for any help. I'm perplexed.

[JMM]

First is a trip to the vet. One of the most common signs of a urinary tract infection is urinating more frequently and/or in inappropriate places. It is essential to rule this out first. Letting a UTI go can lead to kidney infection and serious illness.

If everything checks out okay at the vet, then treat her like a new puppy. Here's a link about housetraining. After a couple of weeks of refresher course, most dogs are back in gear.
http://www.dogchatforum.com/house-training-puppy-dog.htm

[JMM]

First is a trip to the vet. One of the most common signs of a urinary tract infection is urinating more frequently and/or in inappropriate places. It is essential to rule this out first. Letting a UTI go can lead to kidney infection and serious illness.

If everything checks out okay at the vet, then treat her like a new puppy. Here's a link about housetraining. After a couple of weeks of refresher course, most dogs are back in gear.
http://www.dogchatforum.com/house-training-puppy-dog.htm

[Viv]

Every time this has happened here it was due to a UTI. Easily fixable.

[DrNugu]

Seems strange that it would be a UTI. She picks the exact same spot every time. I caught her sniffing around there earlier, but then she went right back and peed there again when I wasn't looking.

I guess I got to lock her up until she starts using the pad again. I read that in the link from JMM. Sad and weird.

[Sharin]

What are you using to clean the spot where she urinates?
You need to use an enzymatic cleaner to get the smell of
the urine out so she won't continue to urinate there. If
you are using an enzymatic cleaner she is still urinating
there, then you really do need to get her checked for a
UTI.

[JMM]

This is a CLASSIC sign of a UTI. Please have your dog checked.

[Viv]

Our Basset would get up and urinate on my bed every time she had one. She had 5 in her lifetime.

[thedogblog]

I get this problem a lot with my clients. If you dog has been fully checked for any health problems and they get the all clear, then this behaviour is marking territory and once they start they will keep going back to the same spot. They particularly love carpet. You need to use a non ammonia based product such as vinegar mixed with water, or else use a product called 'urine off' or 'urine free' thats what its called here in Australia, so not sure where you are located? However once you get rid of the ammonia smell the place wont smell 'toilety' to the dog, therefore the chance of them going back there is minimal as long as you watch and keep up the management of where the dog is walking around etc. if you cant keep an eye on your dog and this behaviour is continuing you need to control where your dog has access to in your house. What i suggest to my clients is to remove rugs off the floor as well initially clean them thoroughly and dont get professional cleaning in unless you actually specifically tell them that there has been dog urine on it. Also feed the dog in that area for approx. 2 weeks, even if you have to scatter food around that area...you will find your dog wont toilet where he/she eats and also sleeps (as a general rule) remember nothing is 100% with your dog. However you follow this and you will see success, however there will be other behaviours going on as well which you may not recognise. You are probably best consulting a behaviour specialist in your area that can talk to you about leadership for your canine and how to settle all the problems down. Good luck!