Urinating too often?

Question
I have a two year old boxer and he goes outside to urinate probably about 10 or more times a day.  He will sit at the door and whine until I let him out, sometimes I think it's just to get his way and go outside, but he urinates every time.  The reason I am writing is because he sleeps in my bed at night and has urinated in the bed several times in the last month.  I was wandering if this is a health issue with him that can be fixed or there is something wrong with what I am doing.  Please help.

Answer
Hi Alex,

A couple things...both medically and behaviorally.

If this is something more recent, I'd be very concerned about a kidney/bladder/urinary type infection.  Stones, etc.  Any of these can make a dog urinate more often and/or leak.  Incontinence can also be a cause.  I would definitely get him to the vet ASAP and rule any of these things out!  That's the first step.

Behaviorally, barring any medical conditions, he's got you trained.  He whines, he gets a reward.  Try upping his activity, chances are he's bored and wants to go exploring.

The peeing in the bed is what's concerning me.  Even if he's bored, this isn't normal behavior.  He's too old to be doing this.  I've had puppies that occasionally urinate in their sleep (I watched so I know they were sleeping) and I've woken up soaked.  Urrrh!!  Happily they grew out of it by about 18 months.  Even at that, it wasn't several times...maybe 2 or 3 over the course of puppyhood.

Please take him to the vet and tell them what's going on.  Antibiotics will clear up most infections and if he's incontinent, steroids will be required that cost about $20 a month.  If something IS wrong, not having him treated will only make him worse.

I personally experienced this with a rescue/adoptee so I know what you're going through.  Arnold was denied medical treatment by his owners and what would have been very simple in the beginning ended up causing his death.

Please keep me updated.  My email is Nicole@boxerdogplanet.com