My dog pees in the house right after we get back from a walk – is this normal?

My vet nurse, who’s also a behaviourist, told us that it’s actually a common misconception that you shouldn’t tell your dog off if they’ve had an accident while you’re out. Take children, for example—just like puppies, if they’ve been naughty while you were away, wouldn’t you give them a telling off?

Look, I can tell you for a fact that revenge just doesn't exist in dogs, Jfk07. They aren't wired for it. If a dog is causing damage, it’s just because something is wrong, that’s all. They don't do it to get back at their owners. They’re just trying to get a message across, that’s all! And a trainer is there to train; they aren't behaviour specialists—otherwise, they’d be called a behaviourist. Have a look at Victoria’s website (she’s a top behaviourist); there are so many common myths about dogs on there: http://1001comportements.over-blog.com/15-index.html Including the one about revenge.

Oh, revenge definitely exists in dogs, a trainer confirmed it.

Thanks; and yeah, he was house-trained before, but he’s been doing this ever since I went away for a weekend to my mum’s and left him with my boyfriend. I did wonder if he was doing it out of spite? I’m not sure really, but I hope it sorts itself out soon because having to pick up his "surprise presents" first thing in the morning before I've even had breakfast... yeah, not exactly fun.

Clopine, your dog can’t learn to use a cloth and be house-trained at the same time! You’ve absolutely got to break her of that habit!

Don’t worry, my Lola is two and she pulls the same trick! She waits until we’re back in the house, then she goes and relieves herself on her rag! Mind you, at my gran’s, she comes in and heads straight for my gran’s dog's bed and wees all over it! I reckon she’s just marking her territory! @Wazzazious Was he house-trained before?