If, despite your best efforts, consistent schedule, and excellent management, your dog is still having accidents, you have to consider the possibility that there is a physical cause.

Medical Issues

There are a variety of medical conditions that can make the housebreaking process slower or more difficult. Any dog that is having frequent accidents despite diligent housebreaking efforts should have a thorough medical exam, including blood work, fecal analysis, and urinalysis. Some conditions are common, and easily treated, like intestinal parasites or urinary-tract infections. Others are much more serious, or even life threatening, like diabetes, impaction, or parvo. If in doubt, check it out!

When to Seek Professional Help

If your dog has been having frequent accidents for an extended period of time, it's time to seek veterinary assistance. Here's how you know when a problem requires medical intervention:

• Your dog is obviously leaking urine, or you find a puddle when she gets up from sleeping.

• She is urinating very frequently, in small amounts.

• She strains, but nothing comes out, or she appears to be in pain or vocalizes when she strains.

• You see undigested food in her feces, or she seems to poop more than she eats.

• There is mucous in her poop, her poop is a strange color (yellow, maroon, or black), or it has a foul smell.

• She's drinking and peeing more than normal.

• She has diarrhea and is vomiting (get to the vet now!).

• Any sudden change that lasts more than a couple of days.