Peeing in Older Dogs

Question
Hi,

I have an 11 year old Dachshund, and has become problematic, in that he pees on the carpets alot.  When he was younger, he had some problems, but we worked with him, and eventually he stopped.  At present, he has begun this whole behaviour all over again.  He has 3 rooms, which are the only rooms that he will pee in (all carpeted) and has now reached the stage where he is peeing at least 2 times per week on the carpet.

We have been at our current house for 6 years now, and he never had this problem.  When we first moved here, we had another little dachshund who had peeing problems in the same 3 rooms, but was sent to a better home.  Even back then he would be the culprit maybe once every 10 times, and the other dog did it in those same 3 rooms.

He currently has problems with food allergies and arthritis, but I am not sure whether those would have an effect or not, since when he wants to go outside to do his business, he can move himself quite well.  

We are quite concerned at the moment because we are selling our house soon, and this problem is causing difficulties in respect to our carpets.  As I said before, we are baffled as to that he was house trained when he was a puppy, yet started it again now.

I'm sorry its a bit long, hehe, but any help/advice that you could give us will be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou,

Scott Tindal

Answer
It doesn't sound like much has changed lately in his life.  At his age, I would guess it is physical.  Have him examined and talk to the vet about the problem.  

Are most of the accidents happening when you aren't around?  If so, even if the problem is physical, leaving him in a crate with a wire rack to keep him up out of it might help.  

A wire rack in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of
accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely
spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at
feeding time for more than one dog.

Having him on a senior chow and keeping him lean may help his problems.