Let’s go a step further now… a few other things to look into: Did the vet rule out other diseases that can cause an increase in water drinking that forces the dog to potty more? Have bloods done and rule out tings like thyroid problems, Cushing’s Disease and diabetes. This should be the next step. Is the dog on any medications such as steroids that have increased water consumption as a side effect? Have there been any changes in the dog’s life that could have caused stress such as bringing in a new dog, a move, new girlfriend, baby, new neighbors with a dog, etc? You did not state what breed or cross your dog is. At seven, he may be a mature adult or a senior (large and giant breeds age fatser and a Great Dane at 7 is considered a much older dog than say a Toy Poodle is at the same age). But rule out other medical issues and then start behaviorally if there is nothign physically causing this. Back to basics if there is nothign medical (and even if there is, revert back to basics). In the dog section of the articles on this page there is a housetraining section that is applicable to all ages.

A dog that potties inside is NOT a dog that is housetrained – regardless of if he has gone outside or not. Your dog still thinks it is OK to potty inside and this is not a totally housetrained dog. I fully understand what you were getting at. It is something I hear all the time in my classes and a common consulting topic: "My dog will ask to go out but still sometimes potties inside even after just going out." Crates if properly used are not cruel – the issue is the cast majority of humans have no idea how to properly use a crate. Even many trainers have students overuse crates. I teach proper crate use – ONLY during training and ONLY when the human cannot watch the dog. The other option you have is confinement to a single room when you leave and if you work all day, hire a dog walker to come in and exercise midday. As for the feeding – from a health and natural standpoint, leaving food down all day is not natural and one of the leading causes of obesity in dogs. Dogs should have a scheduled meal time as opposed to free feeding. And from a behavioral standpoint, a dog who can control when he gets his meals and that does not have a scheduled time to eat is a dog that may develop "control" issues with the house. Generally the "my dog is trying to be boss" issues or "my dog will not respect me" also have dogs that are free fed. the dogs are in too much control and this gives them the feeling that they can control the house. I am not stating to starve the dog, but take the daily, healthy rations an indicated by your vet and break it into two or three smaller meals during the day. It may take a day or two for the dog to get used to not having this control, but he will not starve. And it will also help you gain better control of the dog and life in general. It helps the human gain the head role in the house in a more humane method than more "traditional techniques". go to http://www.k9deb.com/nilif and read about this theory that is very effective. It also may help your dog understand who is in control and may also help you get control over other issues like housetraining. However, if you choose not to follow advice and get back to basics and get serious, then there is a very strong chance your dog will continue this undesired behavior. I love my dogs, they are members of the family, but I am also a realist: like kids, they cannot be allowed to have total free run until they are mature enough develomentally and physically – why baby gates and play pens are important – to keep watch and safety if you have to step out of a room. (I am also a parent of two young kids). I am going to suggest a book for you: Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson – http://www.dogwise.com and http://www.amazon.com both carry it. If you will not consider my advice, at least get her book.

if its not a marking of territory that is the cause, then what karen said is the way to correct the problem. i dont see how giving your dog food at certain times of the day is a ‘style’, but that is what is needed to be done to get him on a schedule to be housetrained. ,,you say he is housetrained, but if there is nothing medically wrong, than what do you call it? …..id suggest going to your vet on this one. or you could tell us what type of answer you are looking for…what would you be willing to do? there are always ways of training that can make a person more comfortable with the process. as far as recent changes.. did anyone purchase new furniture? or rearange the furniture? anything that might upset your dogs daily routine and how they see things?

Dogs by nature are not grazers – they actually do best when on set meal schedules for many reasons. Behaviorally as well… But if someone is not going to take advice then there is not much else that can be done. But controlling food (think gathering for a hunt, etc) is done by the heads and not those who are not leading the group. Actually controlling food times is something many of us trainers and behaviorists recommend when there are various behavioral issues going on. It is the thing dogs all want and if we are in control it helps us teach the dogs to respond and work with us as opposed to giving them too much control. Dogs who are confused as to their role in the house are more likely to be issues than dogs who are secure in what to exoect ad what is expected.