OK, I guess the clue is in the title - when Merlin is during that crazy period of over-tiredness, just before he can fall asleep, he scrabbles his bedding together and then pees on it. It's very odd, as he is dry 95% of the time in the house, and doesn't pee in his crate at night. This behaviour can be in his pen, in a dog bed on the floor, or even (yesterday evening) on the couch. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, what did you do to help him get over it? I mean, obviously we just watch him closely, but it is a fine line between letting him settle down, and whipping him outside to do a pee, which wakes him up again...
Betsy used to pee on mats which were used for settle mats and bedding, and stations in the kitchen. This then transferred to her peeing on other types of mats e.g. the doormat. She rarely did a pee in the house otherwise. I think it was simply that she had been reinforced for going to/being on mats so when the thought 'need a wee where shall I go?' entered her little puppy brain the answer that occurred first to her was 'a mat is always a good place to go'. I used washable mats, thick canvas ones that I could hose off, and had a stack of them. Apart from that, she just grew out of it as her toilet training became stronger.
Ah, thanks for that, yes I do remember Poppy peeing on mats or rugs as a puppy. Merlin doesn't pee on any other bedding or mats apart from this one situation, or indoors at any other time really, so it's obviously an over-tired thing. He really scrunches up the blanket, turning round and round as though he is making it into a little nest and is just about to lie down into it - then he suddenly squats on his 'nest' and pees! As you say, lots of washable bedding, and wait for him to grow out of it, coupled with vigilance...
Once you get a wee on cue you can soon pre-emt it by asking for a wee before settle time. So I'd work really hard on getting a wee on cue. Use the cue as he wees for quite a while, then just before. Soon you'll have him squeezing one out for you any time.
Yes, we do this and he is pretty good about weeing on cue - except when over-tired! But good point, when we notice he is just starting the crazy phase, have him pee outside and then encourage him to settle. I'm sure it's something he'll grow out of; somehow it just seems to be a bit of an odd habit he's developing!
I'd forgotten this but Ella was the same with her vetbed. Towards the end of her 'evening crazies' she'd run to her vetbed and pee on it. We started picking up the vetbed as soon as she started the crazies then ended with a quick game outside on the grass before asking her to pee. Then we'd come inside, put the vetbed down and try to get her to settle.
Puppies peeing is always an interesting topic with my clients As Merlin is scrunching up blankets and padding and circling I think I would be scooping him up for a wee outside and then encouraging a nice settle once he's been. He'said a smart little boy so he'll catch on quick about going out for his pee and then snooze.
Just to cheer you up @Karen I had a client on the phone yesterday evening as her puppy (16weeks whippet) was peeing in the house - she wouldn't go out and pee in the rain . Plan of action ready for next lesson is now printed
