6 month old neutered male urinating outside litterbox

Question
My 6 month old neutered male pb has been doing fine with the housetraining (although a few accidents) until about a week ago. He now will frequently urinate outside the litterbox(es). He will go outside too. His routine is first thing in the morning, I leave him out of his crate and put him outside. then he is fed and he stays in his crate for about a half hour and then he starts screaming. I let him out and he usually drinks a lot and then he goes outside again. He will be content for awhile and then he will urinate in the litterbox - but now is going outside the litterbox. The one is large and I use newspapers and then I have a smaller one. I also have a pet skunk who uses the same litterbox. I noticed if there was a wet spot on the paper from the skunk, he would have more of a tendency to not use the litterbox. So when I would change the newspapers, he immediately starts to shred up the newspapers to make a nest. So I've been trying to stop the shredding. I also put another litterbox out this morning near the area where he's been going and within a half hour, he went outside the litterbox again. I fortunately have linoleum floors but this is getting tiring as it's usually quite a large puddle. Any suggestions - about ready to make him an outside pig. BTW, I've owned potbelly pigs for over 20 years so I'm not exactly a novice but by no means an expert. Thanks.

Answer
Well, usually when piggies "forget" potty training, it's because they were never really fully trained in the first place. They were making little accidents all along, but the people didn't spot those tiny accidents until they became bigger accidents.

I'm guessing there's nothing really wrong with the box itself - low side for him to step in with out stepping up, non-slippery surface, and enough room for him to turn around comfortably and to place his feet apart for the deed.

Because your piggy likes to nest in the shredded newspaper, I'd try switching to a different litter, like pine shavings. Put a mat on the floor in front of the box to catch stray shavings as he steps out.

Perhaps a slightly different morning routine would help. Maybe give him his water before breakfast. Sometimes, when thirsty, pigs will hold their urine until they get to drink. In severe cases, chronically dehydrated pigs frequently pee while drinking water.

If the weather is agreeable, perhaps put him outside with water, feed him outside or put him right back outside after eating instead of going back into his crate. Leaving him outside for a while gives him the chance to really "empty out", and burn off some excess piggy energy.

Also, sharing his box with the skunk could be a problem for him. In the wild, predators track prey by following their potty spots. He might not want to potty where the skunk is, because his instincts tell him that could lead to getting eaten. So I'd definitely give the skunk one box and the pig a separate box.

You said "put another litterbox out this morning near the area where he's been going and within a half hour, he went outside the litterbox again." - That sounds like piggy has picked a spot that he likes to use. Pigs don't learn to potty inside a box, like cats. Pigs learn to potty in a particular spot. This is not an easy habit to break. First, clean the area thoroughly with any product designed to remove pet odors. Then, either keep him out of that area completely (which may mean moving his "free space" to another room), or stay right by his side with your eyes on him whenever he is in that room. If he shows any signs of interest in the potty area, take him away and to his box or outside. Putting something large and heavy on the problem spot, if possible, would make it a little harder for him to reach and use the spot.

When you take him to potty, outside or in a box, keep an eye on him to make sure he actually does potty. Don't let him back inside, or out of the box, until he's put his potty in the right place. After he's gone in the right spot, he should be "empty" enough to NOT potty in the wrong spot, at least for an hour or so.

It's unlikely that his pee accidents are caused by a urinary problem, if his stream is strong and steady. If not, or if he hunches or acts uncomfortable while he's going, he may have a urinary infection or partial blockage and need to see a vet.