Unexpected peeing in house

Hi vets, could anyone help please? My eight year old malshi has started peeing in the house, same spot at same time during the night, despite going before bed (and used to hold all night). We moved house last July, but he has been fine until around Christmas. He is well in general (saw vet in November), running and playing as normal, don't think it's a UTI. Think it might be behavioural?

Hello - I can't comment on that (I mean, whether it's UTI or indeed related to other bladder / waterworks disease or whether it's behavioural), because I know little background about your particular dog or the reason for your drawing that conclusion.  Behavioural reasons for urinating may range from excitement to fear / submissive behaviour, to a behavioural need to mark territory.  The sudden presence of Christmas trees or other animals are sometimes implicated.  Urinary reasons can range from hormonal change eg Diabetes / Cushings, to tumours or prostate disease, to changes to the electrolytes and water balance. The place in which the urination takes place can carry a clue, but it often isn't so clear cut. Your vet can do tests on a fresh urine sample that will help to rule some of the medical issues out and will almost certainly want to know about any recent changes in drinking.  This established, the behaviour of urination can be complex and usually takes a good discussion to unravel. Here is one article from our blog that might be helpful in the meantime:    https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2023/03/16/why-does-my-dog-pee-in-the-house-at-night/ Please will you let us know how you get on?

It is not unusual for dogs in the wild to urinate in the same place every time - and of course, the faint smell of previous urinations can encourage that choice of place again - so it wouldn't surprise me if there was a behavioural componant.  However, it is better to rule other problems out first (because behavioural problems can take time to shift, by which time if it wasn't behavioural - or if it was a blend of causes - things may have progressed).  Wishing you all the best in getting to the bottom of this case.

Since your dog is peeing in the same spot, it may have become a habit or a marked territory. Thoroughly clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner to remove any lingering scent that might attract your dog back to the same spot. If your dog is crate-trained and comfortable with it, consider using a crate at night. Most dogs do not like to soil their sleeping area and this might help them hold their bladder longer.