Is potty training regression possible in my situation?

[Megan.EttaJames]

So, I am having an issue that I need some advice on. Obviously, lol, or I wouldn't be here. I apologize, it is lengthy...
I live with my best friend and her fiance. Etta James was born July 4th, making her just shy of 7months now and I have had her since she was just 9wks old. I know pugs can be difficult to potty train and so far I've had quite a bit of success, in my opinion. But now that's changed. Two weeks ago, as I arrived home from work, and my roommates informed me that they were taking in another dog while his owner was overseas for the Navy. Then they told me he was a 3 year old German Shepard and he would be here for 3 months. The owner originally had his brother looking after his dog but he wasn't doing a good job and almost got a him kicked out of his apartment. That's where we came in. [Let me side track and say that as a child of 7, after getting off the school bus, I was surrounded by 3 large dogs who barked and growled at me until my older neighbor, not the owner of the dogs, was able to shoo them off. Since then I have had a strong natural dislike for bigger dogs.] Let me get to the point. Since he got here my Etta has been acting out by using the bathroom in the house, not even by the door as a sign that she had to go out, but everywhere. Yes, on occasion they are accidents but because I misread her signals. But, just two days ago, she crawled under the comforter of my bed and directly in the center of it, she peed. Kicker is, I was in the bed. Even though I thought it was odd, because she never goes under the comforter, I didn't think twice about it. That is until I moved over and my foot was in a wet spot. My roommates think she is doing this because I don't spend enough time with her, and speaking as someone that is unemployed, I didn't think that was possible. I believe it is the same situation as if you have just potty trained a child and then have another baby so the older child starts wetting himself for attention... They don't think Zeus being here has any effect on Etta (even though he uses her as a chew toy) but her potty problems are starting to make them, and me, angry.I haven't asked, but I know my roommates won't get rid of him, even though because of her allergies she can't breathe since he got here. I do not have anywhere else to go, otherwise I would say it's me or the dog. I would just like to know for my own peace of mind is it even possible that my dog is regressing, or having some reaction to the bigger and older dog, or is it like my roommates say and I'm not paying enough attention to her? (Constructive criticism only, please)

[Hellas]

First of all, is it just peeing or pooping as well? If it's just peeing, it is possible she has a urinary tract infection. If I were you, I think I would take her to the vet just to make sure she is healthy. If she is, I'd consider the other options.

Personally, I think it's possible that the indoor peeing is a sign of stress or unhappiness about the presence of the other dog. If the bigger dog is not gentle with Etta, I imagine it can be quite frightening for her. Imagine living all the time with a giant with fangs who treats you like a chew toy. Not very relaxing I bet. Our girl Ozzie gets very stressed around large dogs even though she spent the first year of her life with several Rottweilers. If you are afraid of large dogs, Etta may also sense this from you.

Have there been any other significant changes that could affect Etta? Are you at home as much as you used to be? Do you take her out as often? If the only major change is the addition of Zeus to your household, I'd say odds are good that he is the cause, one way or another.

You could perhaps try to keep the two dogs separated and see if that changes things. It may just make Etta feel more safe. Is that possible to do? Winston's breeder (aka Ozzie's former owner) breeds pugs and rotties, and they are usually kept separated by baby gates for the safety of the pugs. Personally, I don't think that's a bad idea either way, unless you trust Zeus implicitly. It is very easy for such a large dog to seriously harm a pug unintentionally. When we bought Winston, his breeder warned us to never let him play with large dogs because of the risks. They have bred dogs for 30 years and have seen many sad accidents.

[Tinker's mom]

I agree with Etta James being stressed out by the shepherd and by you.I would definitely get a baby gate and keep her away from him unless you are in the same room. You have to go back to a strict schedule of going out with her and lavish praise and treats when she does what you want.Since she was in residence first she may also be marking her terriority and lots of females are alpha dogs. I would be very concerned as she gets older she may get more aggressive toward him.DO NOT let him treat her as a chew toy, that needs to stop ASAP. Sounds like it's up to you alone to set boundaries for yourself and Etta James. Good luck and let us know how things progress.

[Hellas]

I agree with what Tinker's mom wrote although I'm a little doubtful about the alpha female theory since Etta is only 7 months old. I have been thinking about your post and I can't help but think it's a tad inconsiderate of your roomate to just bring a new dog home without consulting you first or considering how it would affect you and the dog already in residence. Bringing in a new dog always requires some forethought. Adding a large dog to a home where there's a small, relatively fragile dog, can be problematic and, like I said, potentially dangerous.

So, definitely put up a baby gate. Make sure that Etta doesn't feel that she has to be responsible for protecting herself, or you, from the big dog. That must be your job. Keep to the potty schedule and try some relaxation excercises with her.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

Nothing to add, except good luck and best wishes!!

[Snifter]

I agree with what's already been said, and would absolutely endorse the need to keep the dogs separate. Zeus using Etta as a chew toy is unacceptable. Also Etta may well be picking up on your discomfort with a bigger dog and that will be stressing her. Good luck.

[Melody]

I would also start looking for more considerate roommates. I'm sorry for all the stress this has caused on you and your pup.

[Megan.EttaJames]

I am unemployed, and have been for most of Etta's presence here, so not much has changed. I do take her out less often, but not by much. Instead of taking her out every 2hrs it's 3, but it's been like that since the middle of December, long before Zeus got here. And we do have a gate up so Zeus can't get upstairs, but because Etta is little she fits between the rot iron bars of the staircase and jumps onto the couch so she can go up and down stairs as she pleases. Since he got here I have been feeding her upstairs in my room, also where her crate is and also spending a lot of time in my room (hiding out, as my roommates call it), because obviously she goes where I go and Zeus roams the downstairs freely. I'll see what I can do about putting something up so she can't squeeze through the rot iron bars, but we have 2 cats here too that hate big dogs too and use the stairs as a mean to also escape.

[Hellas]

In that case, it sounds as if it's either a urinary tract infection or the presence of the other dog. Making sure she can't go down the stairs sounds like a good idea. I'm sure the cats will be able to get up the stairs either way. I've rarely met a cat that can be stopped from going where it wants to go ;)