There are many possible causes for abnormal urination in dogs including urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other diseases (e.g., diabetes, Cushings, kidney disease, etc.). These conditions are diagnosed through blood testing, urine analysis and culture, and imaging (x-rays and/or ultrasound). Aside from those problems, two of the most common causes of urinary incontinence include urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (sometimes referred to as spay-related incontinence) and ectopic ureters. Those two conditions account for nearly 85% of cases that receive a diagnosis. 

The ureters are the ducts that carry urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder, and when they terminate or empty in an abnormal position (within the urinary bladder) they are termed an ectopic ureter. This congenital or developmenal abnormality is much more common in female dogs and some breeds are at greater risk including Retrievers (Goldens and Labradors), Bulldogs, Siberian Huskies, and others. 

Dogs with ectopic ureters typically manifest problems early in life. Sadly, young dogs with this treatable problem are often abandoned or relinquished to a shelter because of a perceived behavioral issue. A young dog with an ectopic ureter may seem to fail at house-breaking or inappropriately urinate in the home, but it's important to understand that this congenital abnormality can be fixed!

Learn more about managing urinary incontinence in dogs.