Help! Peeing for attention

[Emma's Mommy]

My DH and I have noticed a trend with Emma. When we are both busy doing something for a few minutes (about 5 minutes seems to be the limit) and not paying direct attention to her, she will go to my DH, look up at him, and pee right in front of him. After she does this, she immediately runs and gets a toy and brings it to DH. We found out from my SIL (Emma's breeder) that Emma did this with her as well. What we have been doing is immediately after she does this I take her outside in an attempt to reinforce that she should potty outside. By immediately taking her out is that reinforcing the behavior by giving her attention? Any ideas on how we can break this habit?

 

[knjsBailey]

After she does this, she immediately runs and gets a toy and brings it to DH.

Key word is after. She no longer needs to go to the bathroom so she sees going out as attention. I give a firm NO which usually makes them stop, if need be pick her up and bring outside. Let her finish and then praise her. If she finishes on the floor, remove her from the room and clean it. You may want to work with her on not getting attention a little at a time. Just turn your back to her for 5 seconds, turn back around and give her a treat and praise. Build up slow to the point where you can walk away for 30 seconds or 1 minute. Just make sure she gets a ton of praise. Hope this helps.

 

[mmichaelson]

How frequently are you taking her outside to relieve herself? Small pups should go outside every 30 minutes or so. . .

 

[KonaKoffe]

Yes I agree with mmichaelson: There was a time that we had to take Kona out every 20-30 minutes to avoid in house peeing. If she starts to walk over to DH sounds like she is trying to tell him she has to go and when she means go she means NOW!!!

Observe her mannerism when this happens and learn what to watch for an scoop her up immediately and run her outside OR take her out every 1/2 hour regardless and see if she has to pee.

Even after the accidents we still took Kona outside immediately and she always managed to pee some more - as if she tried not pee but just couldn't hold it and still need time outside to finish up.

 

[OSCARS MUM]

i have no answers but just want to say i think your emma is georgous!!!

 

[Emma's Mommy]

We take her out for a walk approximately every 30 minutes, and I had just taken her out 10 minutes before the incident that occurred last night. When she desires to go outside other than the times we take her, she will go and scratch on the front door. We have noticed a pattern that the only time she does this particular behavior is when my husband is in one room and I am in the other, and she is not getting direct attention from either one of us (direct attention meaning her being next to us or playing with us).

 

[Cinders510]

emma

My Jazmin used to do the same thing. She would do fine if i was glued to her but if i was upstairs & the kids , hubby or mother inlaw had her( my kids aare old enough to see the signs)She would just pee where she saw fit, It drove me nuts.I can't hold her hand 24/7. We all have things to do.All i can tell you is be a hawk & watch her , glued to her all the time, praise like mad and think of a baby.Try to keep her beside you at all times. After play, eating drinking, take them out within 15 minutes just like changing a diaper. It does get better over time.. You may still have a few accidents..gl