A while back (about four months ago) I rehomed a 7 y/o female GSP. She had no issues other than fence jumping. She has always been a housedog and never had accidents in the the house. Now she suddenly has started to pee and poop in the house and her new owner is ready to give her back if the situation cannot be fixed. She took her to the vet and nothing came up. I am not in a situation to take her back due to my fence being blown down in the recent storms here on the west coast, so I need your help to keep her from gong to the shelter. Thank you so much in advance, Andrea

Diamond is right, the first thing you need to do is clean the area they have used before to make sure they can't smell where they have gone.  If they can smell it, they will often continue to go in the same area. A cheap and easy cleaner is half water and half vinegar.  It really takes care of the smell.  There are also some good products in stores like Resolve.  Next is the new owner letting the dog go out and do their business.  I know with one of mine I have to insist she go out and make sure she does both.  Otherwise, especially in the morning, she will go out wander around the yard and return back to the house so she can come in and eat.  Finally,  what has changed in the house that might be causing stress on the dog.  Has some moved in or out?  Is there a new animal in the house?  Has the normal pattern of the day changed in any way?  Dogs like routine, so if something has changed in the routing that may be causing the behavior.  Just some ideas to think about.  Maybe if the new owners spend some time and give the dog a bit more attention it would help.  Also, maybe more exercise.  Dogs don't mess up their living space without a reason.  Good Luc,k and let us know how this turns out.

Bev and the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo)

Andrea

If this person is limited to what she is doing or can do with this dog because of being pregnant how will she be once the baby is here? Babies take a lot of time & energy, especially if this is a first time mommy. Is she really prepared to keep this dog? Does the dog have free run of the house during the day time hours? Does she have a bell on the door she uses to take the dog out? Does the dog only go out when being walked because of having the fence problem or do they let it out to do it's duty alone? Have her teach the dog to give her better warning by using the bell so she might know when it needs to go out. You might want to reconcider finding another home for the dog though because maybe this person really can't keep the dog with a new baby coming. Sometimes dogs do these thing when they are not happy about things too. maybe she is mad because she's no longer allowed on the bed & she feels it's because this new baby is coming.

Just some thoughts of mine,

Dottie J