Quote: Connie Sutherland

I'd take the dog outside so often that there was no need for relief indoors

She will be fine on her regular schedule for weeks, and then have several problems in a row. I'm not seeing the pattern of how often she needs to go. She'll sleep dry one night, and go within an hour of her previous potty that afternoon. It feels random.

Denise, if it were me, I would start limiting her water intake (no free access). If she's eating a raw diet, she's getting alot of moisture from her food.

For sure, take out the water bottle at night from her crate.

How long, during the day, is she in the crate at one stretch? If it's 4 hours or less, I would not allow access in the crate either. (JMO, by the way) The crate is in your house, right?

This might be a pain in the butt to do, but how about keeping a log of her daily water intake? You might be able to see a pattern emerge regarding the wetting...

Is the water-drinking also episodic (along with the accidents)?

Has there ever been bloodwork done for hyperglycemia? Or a glucose check of the urine?

During the day the most she is in the crate is Monday mornings for 5 hours. Most days her max crate time is 4 hours.

The crate is in the house, but we have poor climate control.

If I'm going to remove the bottle, it's staying out all winter, not just nights. Her accident rate is not proportional to crate time, probably proportional to water intake, which I need to track more closely.

I'm not sure about her water intake patterns. Heavy drinking after exercise or on a hot day seems normal, but we have not logged this against accidents. We have not been keeping close track. I need to start a log.

No bloodwork done. It would be fairly easy to get the urine sample for a glucose check into the vet if you think it's warranted. Should I go ahead with that, or try the water intake log first?

Hi Denise,
i have been reading your thread. i would do both ASAP. why wait for more time to pass doing a Log if, meanwhile, it might BE a medical issue? you ought to get the glucose results right then and there at the vet's.
i really monitor and limit water intake in young puppies so i know when they are on "E" or when they are partly or totally full. yes you have to be careful if its hot---better to risk an accident than dehydration of course. but picking up their water about an hour before "last call" to the bathroom for the night also may help. i have a 6 mo male GSD and he has been nearly 100% housetrained since about 8 weeks and i was FLOORED & he never went in his crate (never had such a fast learner!!). i kept to a strict timeline of meals (still on 3 a day) and potty breaks set at very regular times, set according to his body's clock at first, then gradulally adjusting to my schedule. but i think checking the glucose level would be of utmost importance to rule out medical issues. and one person should be in charge of feeding and watering so that that one person knows the status of the bladder/bowels. i also think the tethering at all times when indoors is the best course of action. it works so well b/c you are there to see their body language indicating they have to go-- that you woudlnt see if they were out of sight.
a tip for collecting the pee: tape a dixie cup to a yardstick.

jen

Collecting pee is no big deal. You forget how big this dog is. Plenty of clearance between her and the ground. (And she's smart, and I acclimated her to being touched during peeing for several days before the first collection.)

I just have to remember the collection cup in my morning-fogged state. Get outside, ask her to pee, stick cup under her.

I'll call the vet.