dog weeing !!

Question
my westie is now 12 years old and about a year ago started to wee in the hallway downstairs.  i now put him in my bedroom with me to stop this but he now wakes me up 3 times a night to go out to the toilet.  i know this is much better than weeing in the house but i have a full time job and am shattered all the time.  is there anything i can do to stop the constant need for him to go out or is it just because he is old and something i will have to put up with.  thanks for your help

Answer
Thanks for your question Claire.

A 12 year of age dog that suddenly changes his urinary or bowel habits is worth having your veterinarian take a look at.  There could be a number of things going on, including but not limited to a urinary tract infection (UTI).  

If your vet determines that it's not a UTI, but a problem due to perhaps cognition problems due to age, you might want to provide a place where your dog can urinate in the home where it's easiest for you to clean up so that you don't need to continue letting him out during the need.  Wee pads or newspaper might be an option, or AstroTurf indoors; or even a rug remnant that you could replace or clean.

If it is a canine cognitive disorder, your vet will probably be able to prescribe medications and/or supplements that may help.

With aging dogs, behaviour can and does change.  The best we can do for them, and in my humble opinion what we owe them for their years of love, companionship and loyalty, is to support them through their senior years. :-)

Best,
Madeline Friedman, M.A. at AllExperts
www.ny-njDogTrainer.com