So Louie just went into the bedroom where my wife was and started peeing on the bedpost. My wife yelled "NO" a few times (didn't phase him) before I ran in there and gave him a hard pull on the collar. He yelped, shut down, and ran into his crate after I let go. I totally lost my cool thinking that he was defying my authority (idiot me). After we cleaned up as best we could (tough on carpet) and wiped it down with Nature's Miracle, I took Louie out to see if he had more pee. On the elevator down he started peeing again, which stopped after a few "NO"s. Then he dragged the me through the lobby and outside where he peed for another good 15-20 seconds.

So at this point I felt like a total ass and a terrible handler because I had given him around 12 oz of chicken broth (he's had stomach issues per another thread) to drink about 4 hours before that. I guess that's much more than he usually drinks, hence so much pee. So anyways, I feel terrible. Another humbling experience learned.

Is my assessment correct on what happened here or am I missing something?

Should I chalk this one on me and not punish him further by tethering or some increased act of supervision? (He hasn't had an accident since he first got to our household about 4 months ago.)

Simon, I recommend the rolled up newspaper in this situation...

Roll it up very tightly, walk over to your pup and smack yourself upside your head numerous times so he can see it. Just kidding - we have all blown it at one time or another.

My recommendation: Absolutely increase vigilance but not in a punative way. Keep an eye on him, or take him out every 20 minutes for a while. All light and happy and praise and treats. Don't overdo the enthusiasm, just calm happy. He'll forgive you as soon as you forgive youself.

edited to add that I know folks more experienced with rescues will chime in and add something which could be unique to your situation.

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

Simon, I recommend the rolled up newspaper in this situation...

Roll it up very tightly, walk over to your pup and smack yourself upside your head numerous times so he can see it.

ROFL... For just a moment I was VERY shocked in that recommendation. I need to learn to finish the sentence before I gasp out loud.

Simon- I'd take him out much more often if you're offering baited water (Which I'm sure you've figured out by this point)
Up the potty breaks for awhile until his tummy is better, and don't make a super big deal about it. I'm sure it was just an accident, and he knows better. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go!

This is good information for you though- he may not be a dog to make a giant pest of himself and demand to be taken out if he's really gotta go. Some will force you to let them out, others will sneak off and relieve themselves, not knowing what else to do.

Absolutely 100% not his fault. Think of how uncomfortable he was to have gone some in the house, more in the elevator, and then 15 seconds more outside. He was bursting. Doesn't matter if he's a rescue or anything else .... if his bladder holds a half-liter or so, imagine adding 12 ounces on top of his usual output.

Hustling the dog outside when we have made a mistake and not allowed him necessary peeing opportunities would be the extent of my reaction, and it would be immediate (not after carpet cleaning).

Nothing at all to do with defying authority. There is a point beyond which he simply cannot hold it (just as there is for everyone). I imagine that he was uncomfortable for a long time before he became desperate.

He'll get over being corrected for something that was your fault. Dogs are amazing like that.

I'm with Barbara on stepping up the trips outside just to reinforce the potty protocol.

PS
And yes, we've all blown it before.

I foster for a rescue and I make this mistake every 3rd dog or so. Not so much with the extra intake so much as forgetting that I need to pay extra attention to them until they get on our routine. Or there are times that I look at them and think it looks like maybe they need to go, then think nah they're alright we were out not that long ago....wrong they needed to go right then. It happens :-/

Thanks all for the reassurances and advice. I totally didn't put 2 and 2 together about the extra baited water until he peed in the elevator and then for a long time outside. Indeed 100% my fault. Lesson learned!

And Louie seems to have forgiven me already. He wags his tail like a conductor. His nickname is "Mr. Holland's Opus".

 Quote: simon tai

His nickname is "Mr. Holland's Opus".

Too cute.

Some lessons are best learned when we "blow it" rather than having done it perfectly.

I know at times I have to be to hit over the head for it to have any lasting effect.

Is this a Malinois?

half GSD/half lab

I have no extra advice other than to comment on the fact that you said his tail is wagging like a conductor...that is exciting.

It is also exciting that he did not react to your correction with fear or withdrawl!

He sure seems like he has come a really long way in not a very long span of time!