Bichon Frise

Question
QUESTION: My 4 year Bichon Frise has starting peeing in my living room and dining room and occasionally pooping.  For the first 3 years I never had a problem and then all of the sudden he has started this.  The vet said he had bladder stones.  So, we switched his food.  He no longer has bladder stones but the problem still exists.  We think it is behavioral.  The only thing that has changed recently is buying new chairs for the family room.  He layed in the old chair with me every night while I watched tv.  He won't get into the new chair (recliner) and most times doesn't even stay in the family room at night.  

I think he does the peeing and lifting his leg on my furniture at night.  I can't put him in a kennel at night.  That was tried and didn't work.  He has been fine until about 9 months ago.

I don't know what to do anymore.  He is ruining my carpet and my furniture.  I am beginning to really resent him and want to get rid of him but don't have the heart after 4 years.  Plus my kids don't want to get rid of him.

Any help would be appreciated.  I just don't know how to stop this behavior.

ANSWER: Lisa-

Why didn't the crate work? That would be my first suggestion, or fencing him in a laundry room or similar area. A crate will allow you to give a refresher course on housetraining, and he should only be out supervised.

The only other suggestion I would have would be a belly band, but that isn't going to help the pooping. Is he neutered? Neutering may help by removing the need to mark his territory, if he is not neutered.

Please let me know what happens when you crate him so I might be of more assistance.

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

QUESTION: The crate didn't work because we couldn't sleep at night because he wouldn't stop barking.  My husband was ready to get rid of the dog.  He does wear a doggie diaper at night.  I just don't understand the sudden behavior after 3 years of none of this.

Answer
How long did you try to crate him? I know exactly what you mean by the annoying barking- I have a 11 month old that wakes me up every morning at 2 barking in his crate.

I think you guys are just going to have to work out the crate- thats the only thing thats going to help, to re-establish his "den" training. You can always cover the crate and put scent items (Things that smell like you) in the crate to help him out.

Again, if hes not neutered, this could all be hormonal, and started because he hit optimum sexual maturity. If he is neutered, it could have started as an accident, but then when he found out there was nothing wrong with that he was doing (To him) it became habit.