Dog Regressing

Question
We have 2 Golden Retrievers a neutered male who is 3 and a spayed female Ruby who is 1.5 years old. We've always noticed that Ruby seems kind of slow. She never barks. She always follows the male dog around. She is very sweet. She will greet anybody all the time with enthusiastic wagging tail and a roll on her back, even if we just go the bathroom. The dogs have the run of the house even when we are at work. My older son lets them out during the day. Recently Ruby started peeing and pooping in the house. The most recent incident was over the weekend when we were home all day long and she had just been outside 10 minutes earlier. She goes up the stairs and goes on the carpet.
On the other hand she will scratch on the door in the middle of the night and we let her out (we have a fenced in back-yard). Could it be that she is a little brain damaged? Both dogs go to doggie daycare twice a week. Ruby has a reputation there for being sweet, but stupid. Is there someway I can get her brain checked?

Answer
Birgit,

Yes, there are definately ways to get her neurological status checked. Have you spoken with you veterinarian about this? They may be able to help you. If they aren't, they probably know someone they can consult or refer to on neurological issues... or you can find the closest veterinary teaching hospital at a University offering a DVM program. A teaching hospital would have a veterinary neurologist. Doctors can use CT scans and other tools to check for brain damage and developmental issues. You may also want to look into the possibility that Ruby has some bladder control issues. Your regular veterinarian should be able to help with that.

Also, a canine behaviorist may be able to help you out quite a bit. If your dogs don't have a trainer, you might ask around - and again, your veterinarian probably has a great reference for you on this - and find an experienced trainer who can possibly offer some advice.

Good luck with this.

Ashley