Do you have an older Pug dog that has started to go pee or poo in the house, even though he used to be perfectly potty trained? This is a common issue facing the owners of mature Pugs!

And there is a certain element of surprise, perhaps even shock, when the owner of a perfectly trained and well-behaved adult Pug suddenly steps in a puddle. "No, it can't be!" the owner shrieks.

Now question, there's a sinking feeling when one realizes that it's the Pug dog that made the mess and not something as innocent as a leaky pipe or something.

Many people simply kick their older Pug outside when this happens to them. That's not the best advice though, and there can often be a negative impact on an older Pug when this happens. That's because it's usually a medical problem that's causing this behavior, and something that needs to be treated rather than overlooked.

The medical reasons will be covered first, since the majority of cases can be traced to that cause, rather than to Pug house training behaviors. It is important that the reasons for such behavior be pointed out and thoroughly checked before any retraining techniques are instituted.

Most Pug owners know that the aging process of their Pug will manifest itself in a gradual loss of hearing, followed by diminished vision. Squeezed somewhere in between, signs of arthritis might show up, decreased in appetite, more frequent naps, and other tell-tale signs which may become evident. What is not widely known is that toilet training is one of the first things to go!

Because this fact is not widely known and realized, it causes frustration and confusion to the Pug owner who suddenly thinks that his Pug has forgotten, is not as smart as previously thought, is lazy, or has turned into a sneak. Such behavior on the part of a perfectly housetrained Pug could simply be the first signs of the inevitable aging process. In this aging process, the muscles of the bladder gradually lose their control.

The prostate gland gets bigger as most male Pugs get older, leading to an inflammation that will cause him to pee much more frequently. It's also true that over seventy percent of Pug dogs 8 years or older will come down from kidney disease. And as a Pug gets more mature, kidney functions start to weaken, which can contribute to bladder control problems.

The older Pug should drink at least twice the amount of water than a younger Pug since the older Pug's kidneys will require it. Naturally, this will involve more frequent urination, thus more trips to the bathroom.

Where the middle-aged Pug would have required being let out in the morning and once at night, the aging process will require more freedom outdoors. In most cases, the older Pug will try to make his needs known to his owner. However, the owner, who is used to a regular routine, just isn't tuned in to the Pug's new requirement. Then, the old Pug is left with just one alternative. It's just as embarrassing to him as it may be to the owner.

Avoid yelling at your Pug or scolding him, as this will lead to a worsening of the situation and further problems.

Good luck with your older Pug dog, and may he or she stay happy and healthy!