What to do???

[Micky Moo]

I have an eighth month old Tibetan Spaniel, who has been house trained for the last 2 months. We have had the odd accident in the past 2 months, but she is still young and I know with time and patience she will eventually eliminate outside at all times. But she does have a vice. I have been conditioning her for the last month to be comfortable and secure when we go out. Not that she is left on her own for any lserious length of time as my mum is an age pensioner and I am on a disability Pension, so someone is here most of the time. On the times she MUST be left on her own, I put her in an area that has limited access to all other areas of the house, I leave her a rawhide bone (which she loves) or a Kong with Treats in it and access to her bed "den" where she feels safe. I also leave the doggy door open so she can go out if she needs to. Everytime she has been left (the longest period of time was an hour) when I open the door to where she is kept, there is normally a little puddle directly on the other side of the door. The times I was not here, I was unable to reprimand her as I did not see her in the act. But when doing the separation anxiety training, I actually caught her in the act, so made her go outside immediately in a firm voice and locked her out until I had cleaned up the mess (wee). Once she had stopped whining, I then allowed her back in the house. (I can't pick her up, as I have great difficulty with balance and would not be able to walk with her in my arms)
Then again did the separation anxiety training (putting her on the other side of a closed door while I am in the other), only this time she did not pee, so I made a big fuss and rewarded her and left it on a positive note. I know I am doing the separation anxiety training process correctly, but is there anything I can do about the urination or will she grow out of it as she becomes more comfortable being left on her own. I must reiterate, she does NOT get left alone on a regular basis, I just want her to feel secure when she MUST be left at home on her own.
I know people advocate using a crate, but I do not wish to lock her in a crate while I am away.
Has anyone any ideas, or should I continue that way I am and let her grow out of it.
Zoom

[Sarah]

It sounds as if you are doing all the right things Mickymoo. She will grow out of it, eventually. I have a feeling she wee's when she hears you coming, because she gets so excited that you are home again. You probably confused her a bit, because you put her outside right after you came home. If there is a way you can come home and not get her excited, don't say a word to her until she calms down, then tell her what a good girl she is, would be much better.

[Micky Moo]

Thanx Sarah, I was wondering how to split the two behaviours (not peeing and not getting her excited to see me). Because she does get so excited when I arrive home, I make a point of ignoring her until she settles down, then just say "Good girl" in a calm voice. Can you give me some advice on separation anxiety reduction. At the moment I have been separating her from us for short periods of time and will eventually build the time up to longer periods of time. As yet she is not exhibiting full blown separation anxiety, but I don't want it to get bad before doing anything about it. Again she is only 7 and a half months old and I know I need to be patient with her, but I feel that this is the age to teach her , as she learns things much easier that if I left it until she is older.
So I will continue with the potty training as I was and wait for her to grow out of it. She is so intelligent and such a joy to have around.
Again, thankyou for your advice, anymore would be appreciated.

Micky Moo

[Sarah]

As you put her in her special room away from you, begin now to increase the time that she is in there 5 minutes, then 10 until you reach the hour..

Does she have a kennel, or a dog bed? If so, when you separate her, teach her the command "go to bed", so when you get ready to leave, you can tell her "go to bed" and she will automatically go to her special place. Outside of that Micky you are doing a good job. Keep it up!

[Micky Moo]

Thanx heaps for the advice Sarah, it is much appreciated. It's nice to know that I'm going about things in the right way.
Again thank you
RegardsMicky Moo