Im not sure what magical cure or advice im looking for but hopefully someone can offer some advice.

We have a five year old dog who we have had for about 2.5 years now. When we got him he was housetrained and hes never urinated in the house when we have been in. If hes left alone for even a short time he sometimes wees, but never when we are in

Except for this morning when my partner got up for work he noticed the dog had weed downstairs during the early hours on the morning. This is the first time as usually he wees before bed and then sleeps through the night and goes out to wee when my partner gets up.

Im not as work today and i noticed a small wet patch in the hallway. Now earlier he signalled that he needed a wee so i let him out, but he didnt let me know the second time and just went. It didnt look like a full bladder amount but more than just a dribble.

The second change is ever since we got him he eats his food as soon as we give it and wolfs it down. But over the past few days hes either eaten half of it then left the rest, or had little nibbles throughout the day. Today he wasnt interested when i fed him but a few hours later he had a few bites and left the rest.

He seems alright in himself, hes still active and happy, im just confused as to what could be wrong with him.

First point of call is the vets, a change in urinary habits can be a sign of uti or kidney problems. It may just be an infection that needs some antibiotics to calm it down.

If you can call ahead and get a sample pot, you can't me it in with you, save some time.

Once that's rule out it maybe external changes that are causing the problems- where are you based? Are you affected by the storms? Could it be the wind?

Is there anything (no matter how little) that's changed in or around the house? New dogs moved in up the road, building works, fireworks for New Years?

With regards to change, the only thing i can think of is that over xmas our routine has changed. We both had two weeks off work amd we have been visiting people so hes been to different houses, seeing different people (not other dogs) but he didnt do this last xmas.

I did wonder if after having us home all the time for two weeks he had gotten used to it and now he doesnt like being back to normal.

Hes not usually fussed by fireworks but was a bit jumpy nye as we were in bed so it was quiet so the bangs seemed louder. But he didnt urinate then.

How much urine do vets usually need?

It may just be that, but I'd check just incase, the earlier it's caught the easier to treat. They don't need a lot, if you can get a sample pot from them, then all you need to do is sterilise a large bowl (old ice cream tub or similar) with boiling water, letting it dry naturally, then be ready to catch next time he pees - then transfer it to the tube, a cm or more in depth is plenty, they only dipstick it on a first check anyway.

Ps. It certainly fits if he was a little more stirred up by fireworks than usual, that stress can trigger a uti and it's now jus starting to show,

Thanks for your advice. I know dogs can pick up on things so the more amxious i get about him the more i think it will affect him!

I didnt think of a uti because i know when mums cat gets them it changes her whole personality whereas with my dog he seems fine apart from peeing on the floor twice.

This might seem a really stupid question, but if it is a uti would the vets be able to pick it up the same way as humans or would he need to go in? Sometimes being in the vets agitates him so i didnt know if they could test a sample without taking him there? Because if its stress related that might make him worse.

Im hoping maybe its a change to the routine thats caused it. Usually hes only left alone for about 1.5 hours a day when im at work but yesterday i had to start earlier so he was left longer. Maybe after having two weeks not being alone hes gotten a bit worried? Ive been home today but i suppose he doesnt know that im staying home.

I havent punished him for the wee i found as i read that its best to ignore them and clean it up rather than shout at them, especialy if its stress that caused it.

I would actually be a bit concerned that he is not eating like he used to, so with the other as well I also would advise a visit to the Vets.

They can pick it up from the sample, if there is a UTI the vet may want to see him or he may just prescribe Anti-B's.

It will depend on the vets, they may agree to test the urine the. decide if they need to see him.

Make sure you use biological washing power to clean it, otherwise it'll smell nice to him!