Great Dane urination

Question
QUESTION: 9 years ago, I found my best friend at our local animal shelter.  He is now nearly 10 years old and has many health issues, i.e. hypothyroidism, cataracts, overweight (down to 174 from 186), stiffness and lots of pain.  He also vomits all his food undigested several times a week but has done this occasionally over the years. He is on medication which isn't helping.  The vet does not want to give him pain medication because of his stomach problems.  In the past 3 weeks my lovely Dane has started urinating in the house for no apparent reason.  I am distraught.  His vet sees him frequently and has checked his urine.  There is no obvious reason for this behavior but has no advice for management.  He has numerous fatty tumors and a lump in his neck which the vet is watching.  There are about 7-8 stairs to the yard that don't bother him when he finds something to bark at but is slow coming backup the stairs and is clearly in pain. I need to find a manageable method to stop his urinating in the house until it is time to put him down.  He is getting grochy with me and my grandson and growls but never bites. I need to help him in anyway I can.  Hope I have provided enough information to be helpful.  Any assistance is appreciated.

ANSWER: Rochelle,
You can put a diaper on him to eliminate having to clean up after him. Once his bladder is giving out this is one of the first steps to his other organs starting to give out. If he stops eating and drinking as well, then you will know that it will be time to let him go. Thank you for rescuing him and I am sure that he is having a great life with you. As any dog starts getting older their bladder muscles start to deteriorate and they cannot hold their urine anymore for extended periods of time or at all.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your reply.  My Great Dane is able to hold his urine 97% of the time, he as urinated in the house 3 times in the last 3 weeks so I am beginning to think this is intentional.  This might be a behavior change but I am unable to catch him to address the issue. A diaper that is manageable (I am old) certainly might be helpful.  I have tried to devise one but he is so large it is very labor intensive and doesn't stay on.  Someone is home most of time and he still communicates clearly when he wants to go out.  Could he be urinating because of be so confined to the house because of cold weather?  

Again, thank you for your service.  I appreciate your advice.

Answer
Rochelle,

It surely could be be a behavioral issue. But if he is communicating that he needs to go out then I don't think that he is doing it intentionally. Since he is not so young anymore he also may just not be able to hold it in anymore and he just cannot get to you in time to let you know. I hope that the diaper works out if you decide to do that. Good luck with your baby.