Help!

[KarenJHare]

We have a 3 year old cross shi tzu bichon frise dog and we have had the same problem with him since toilet training and am at a loss what to do! I have seen the nurse at our vets who specialises in behaviour, I have been on several forums who have given me contradictory advice so your help would be most appreciated!

Our dog is a very exciteable chap but is quite bright. The main problem we have with him is that when he is with us, without exception, he lets us know when he needs to go out. He is crated at night and when we are out and he goes into his crate quite happily and we don't hear a peep out of him. The problem lies when he is left to his own devices. Without fail, if he is left downstairs on his own even for 10 minutes, he will pee at least twice. Against armchairs, the footstool, against doors, on the fire hearth, you name it, he'll pee on it! On other forums I have been told that he doesn't understand that he is doing wrong - I know that is not true. He absolutely knows that he shouldn't do it and as soon as I go downstairs and find the evidence, he looks at me and takes himself off to his crate! I have tried telling him off, I have tried ignoring it and just clearing it up, I have tried taking him straight outside and I have tried taking him out on the hour every hour but nothing seems to stop this behaviour.

He is completely dry at night and if he does need to go outside, he barks the once for me to go and let him out, goes out to the garden, does his business and then goes straight back into his crate.

He was left downstairs on his own the other evening for 10 minutes. My husband came home from work to find 4 puddles and understandably was furious! Our dog was not chastised as he doesn't need to be, he knows and took himself straight off to his crate.

Because of this problem, he is in his crate far more than we would like and we can never allow him to go to other people's homes. He stayed with my parents once and at a friend's once and their carpets/cushions/bedding etc have never recovered. He therefore has to go to kennels when we go away even for one night.

We have tolerated this now for three years and regardless of how many times he is walked or taken outside, this behaviour doesn't change and it NEVER happens when we are present so we can't even stop him mid peeing.

My husband is now ready for us to give the dog away because he feels we cannot justify the £400+ a behavioural therapist would cost with no guarantee at the end. We have considered getting him castrated but I was told on another forum that that would be cruel?

Your help would be so appreciated before he is sent off to the dogs home

[Pawsitive]

have you got any update on the dog?

how are things going?