Stubborn Female English Bulldog Problems

Question
QUESTION: I have an almost two-year-old English Bulldog.  Her name is Penelope and she is our little girl.  At night, we put her in a pin because if we don't, there is no doubt she will have an "accident".  Lately, like clockwork, around three a.m. she will bark and bark and bark and bark.  The barking is endless until I get up and take her outside.  At first, I tried to put her back in her pin, but the barking continues until I let her out for the night.  I know I should leave her in there and let her bark until she's tired and she will eventually learn.  But, I have a full-time job and cannot sleep through the barking.  

My next issue with Penelope has to do with her "accidents".  I got her this very nice bed not too long ago.  I got it for one, because I knew she'd love it and for another, to keep her off the couches as much as possible.  My problem with it is that she urinates on it!  She used to be much worst.  She'd urinate on anything if there were other dogs around.  We still can't put anything in the bottom of her cage because she will urinate on it and lay in it!  I reached the end of my rope with the little girl this morning when she woke me up at 2:30, left me an accident in the kitchen when I woke later in the morning, and urinated on the couch!

I'm exhausted and out of ideas.  I could really use some help!

Thanks.

ANSWER: Chelsee:

At two years of age she should be able to hold her toilet through the night.  So one consideration is she may have a bladder issue, so I would suggest a vet check on that part of your issues.

The marking of territory, this is a well known habit with both Males and Females and is stronger in those dogs that have not been altered.  You do not say whether she is altered or not.

Bull dogs are known to be difficult and stubborn and will when given the chance take over.
You do make the comment she is your baby, and this could indicate that may be you treat her more like a human than a dog and therefore be missing out on those leadership skills all dog owners should posses and use. However, I myself often refer to my dogs as my fur kids, so I will not 100% assume that you are lacking in the leadership skills department, but state that the nature of Bull dogs and a few other breeds, do require a stronger leader than say a Golden or Lab.

Urinating on furniture on bedding etcetera is also a sign of Stress, when the humans are out or the dog is separated from them even in another room of the house.  

Separation Anxiety, true separation anxiety is rare in dogs, what we are normally seeing is that the dogs has the role of pack leader and therefore when the pack (people) leave without the dog, the dog stresses, by chewing, barking, urinating and sometimes defecating.  A pack can not function properly or safely with a Pack Leader and therefore the dogs stresses.

Let me just clear up my term Pack Leader.  Dogs are Pack animals, so in fact are humans except we use the word Family to describe our pack.  Canine packs are in fact Families, the Alpha's be the parents of all members of the pack.

Establishing Pack Leadership with a dog is as simple as putting rules in place for the dog.  making sure you always Lead ie: go first, through doors and at meal times etc.

Training with a professional dog training instructor, will give you to how's and why's of Leadership skills.

So in closing my suggestions are:-
1- Get a Vet check to determine no medical issue is the cause of all the urination.
2- Review your role with your dog and see who's pack leader.
3- Spay your female if you have not already done so
4- Find a professional trainer whom is familiar with Bully Breeds and their specific needs and methods of training.

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

QUESTION: Dear Dog Nanny,

I appreciate your quick and thorough response.  I wanted to clarify a couple things and get more feedback.

Although no dog owner would want to admit it, I don't think the leadership part is the problem.  She listens to NO, obeys well for the most part, knows when it's time to go in her pin, etc.  We discipline and both of us have leader personalities.  However, it would probably be useful for us to read up on some of the particulars you were talking about (walking through the door first and such) because I had no idea about that.  As far as us eating first, we never eat usually when she does, not on purpose, she just has a eating schedule and we don't.

Next, she was fixed by the breeder's Vet about a month after we got her.  This could lead to the real problem.  We got her when she was 5 months old.  Before us, she was at the breeders with other bulldogs and she could go to the bathroom wherever.  She went straight from there to my boyfriend's college house, where she was probably never alone more the 2-3 hours except at night.  Next, she was at my boyfriend's parents during the summer, so they were always around along with their 2 other dogs.  She now lives with us in our apartment.  We both have to work all day and then she is in her pin through the night.  Seperation anxiety could be the problem, except she hasn't always had the barking problem and the urinating problem was off and on.  

Lastly, I do not believe it is a medical thing.  We've been to the Vet quite a bit since we've gotten her.  She has some back problems, that have been diagnosed and treat when necessary and the Vet has never mentioned anything else.

We are looking into some classes.  But if it is seperation anxiety, where do we go from here?

Thanks so much again.

Answer
Thanks for the further info it certainly helps when I have a history.

All the changes in home environments certainly can effect a dogs behaviour, with time however things will settle down on that score.

As dogs are pack animals, being with the pack is important, so being home alone for such long periods is not the best situation for a dog. To compensate, there should be lots of activity with the Pet parents when they are home.  Nice long walks and playtime with the Pet parents.

Finding a suitable doggie Daycare, is also a great option for dogs that spend a great deal of time home alone, as it provides both exercise and companionship for the dog and relief for the owners on the exercise front.

On Leadership skills, at home obedience is often not a problem, when this issue is there then what we see is that away from the home the dog does not listen at all or respond as well as when at home.

Leaders do everything first, ie; in and out of doors, when the Pet parent is on a couch, chair or bed the dogs asks permission to jump up next too, usually by sitting and looking at the pet parent.  If the dog had gotten onto a bed, chair or couch prior to the pet parent, then respect for leadership we would see the dog leave that spot to give access to the pet parent.
AS for the feeding, it's not what or the amount the pet parents eat prior to the dog it the fact that they eat something.  IE:  Dogs food is prepared and ready but dog see pet parent eat a cookie, or some other small piece of food, prior to putting the dogs food down.  Therefore we establish, rank in pack by that fact that the pack leader always gets to eat first.

You mention a spinal (back# problem, have you mentioned the frequent urination to the vet, as spinal conditions can and do effect bladder control.

On that front also using the create as a toilet training method is the best way to go.  Look up Create training procedures for help with this.
ON the Barking issue, where is the Crate, the preferred location is always in the Pet parents bedroom, as the pack sleeps together.  With her long periods of alone time she may be barking to get your attention, so putting the crate in your room may help.
If it's already in your room, I would then suggest the need for more active time with you.
Outside of that, this then may be a bully issue, in this is how we get the attention we need, at a time when we #the dog) knows that the attention is guaranteed.  Use of a spray bark control collar may then be appropriate.