Housebreaking question

Question
Hello

We have a 10 month old cock-a-poo (she looks just like a cocker, even our vet didnt believe us at first but she came from a breeder and was a first generation puppy)and we are still having a problem with her housebreaking. When she was brought home at around 9-10 weeks we had her first check up at our local ver and found she did have a urinary tract infection. This took many weeks after to clear up, even going as far as taking her to a specialist and they did a sysco (spell?) draw and did tests based on that draw and everything checked out ok. The next step we could have took was some type of pressure check on her bladder, but was recommended to keep her on the medications and give it a longer chance to work. In the meantime of course it was very hard for us to try to train her with her having that urge to pee all the time. We did finally clear up the infection, but we are still fighting her peeing in the house. She was trained using a puppy door and will use it about 90% of the time. Its the other 10% that we are having a tough time with. She is a very smart dog, very easily trained to shake paw and other tricks in less than 1 hour if you can believe that! So we know shes not stupid, and the other thing that leads us to believe this is more behavioral is that when left home alone, she has held it or gone outside for as long as 10 hours. Shes normally left alone for about 5 hours a day, and she has never never peed anywhere. But as soon as we get home, she will always pee at least once, usually in the same place which is the tiled front entryway or on the carpet of the upstairs hallway and our bedroom. Once in a while she will pee on the living room carpet, but its rare. Sorry to be so long winded but wanted you to have the complete history, so just wondering if you seem to agree that its more towards the behavioral side, and if so is their any tips to get her to a 100% success level. Thanks again!

Answer
If she had a bad UTI when she was younger, I would be concerned about a potential developmental problem of the bladder and ureters (tubes that connec the kidneys to the bladder).  I would take a urine sample to the vet to have it checked to make sure she isn't brewing another infection.

I would recommend taking her outside every few hours ON A LEASH and praise her lavishly when she goes to the bathroom...use a special treat like a piece of chicken breast.  I would not recommend the use of the doggie door until she is 100% trained.  Some of the urination may be attention seeking since you are home when she does it or a submissive/excitement type of urination.

It really is not healthy for her to hold her bladder for 10 hours even if she can so get her out more often.