behavioral problem?

Question
i have an 8 mo old pug who I had potty trained to go on a dog
potty pad and about 3 mo's ago also to go outside.  About two
weeks ago he started to go pee on the carpet again in my house
and now tonight in my bed that I share with him in the middle of
the night.  The only thing I can think of is that my boyfriend has a
dog and when we all spend time together he gets angry???? What
do I do? I am going to start confining him again but I don't
understand why he is doing this.  Also how should I punish him, I
feel bad giving him a smack on the butt.  I need some help I feel
like I have a teenager!

Answer
Hi Jenny.
Oh dear - the problem is you DO have a teenager! In dog terms anyway  Right now he is getting to the age where he wants to be boss and he's trying to achieve this by marking his territory.  He needs to be re-housetrained which will mean digging out the crate again.  Don't punish him physically when he has an accident, just take him outside or put him in his crate.  He wont understand why he is being punished if he is smacked, dogs dont really have the level of intelligence to "get" smacking.
I would also enrol in some dog training classes to help you establish yourself firmly as pack leader in his eyes.
There are some basic rules to follow for dogs who think they are the boss.
1)He doesnt eat until you have - he must KNOW you have eaten as the pack leade always eats first and the under dogs get what is left, so have your own dinner - with him in his basket in the same room and then feed him.  Make sure you ask him to sit before putting his bowl down and dont give him his dinner until he obeys.
2)Dog doesnt get on furniture, that means sofas, beds (preferably bedrooms altogether) etc are out of bounds.  Dogs sit on the floor and sleep in their basket/in their crate.
3)He doesnt get any fuss unless YOU want to give it to him, if he begs, jumps up, puts his paws on you he gets ignored til he is sitting quietly behaving, THEN he gets as much fuss as he can stand for being a good boy!
4)He doesnt go anywhere without an invitation, if you are going through the door he should always wait for you to go through first and then command him to follow.

By following these few simple rules he will hopefully get the message that he is the bottom of the pack and has to do as he is told.  In the long run this will make him a happier dog - it is far more stressful to be alpha male and be forever defending your position than to be the underdog and know exactly where you stand with everyone.
Castration would also help but obviously if you plan to show him then this is not an option, although I would strongly recommend it if he is to be just a pet and not a show dog.

Hope this helps
Sarah