There are some isolated older dog housetraining cases, where the cause of a breakdown in toilet habits is a psychological motivation, but results in a problem becoming medically motivated. One example might be the case where the dog seems to forget his housebreaking rules and urinates due to spite and jealously.
Your dog housetraining at this point appears to have been forgotten. Your dog could develop a psychosomatic urinary tract infection, therefore giving him a reason to eliminate at will anywhere in the house. This very condition can be the result of something else coming into the household like a new cat, bird, baby, or anything that is getting attention from you. Verbal punishment in such cases will only perpetuate the problem.
Seeking Attention
The dog is getting attention, which is what it wanted in the first place and as long as it is getting this extra attention, whether it is shaming or admonishment, it will continue whatever action prompts the attention. Competition can cause a breakdown in toilet habits without the problem evolving into a psychosomatic urinary tract infection. The owner of the dog must realize that competition can be the leading cause of the problem and it goes without saying that when there is competition, the dog will wet.
The competition can be real or imagined and a thorough examination into any recent changes in the household routine would be in order. Something may be giving the dog a feeling that its position, or your affection for it is in jeopardy. Whether or not it is true or imagined, to the dog it is real. If competition is to blame, extra time spent with your dog, and maybe even exaggerated affection, will normally suffice in removing the motivator of its bad deeds. Spend time with your dog and do a little dog house training.
Bad Dog Behavior
Then, you have the kind of dog who feels free to wet everywhere and on everything including your furniture and bed in order to try and control the environment he is in. This is the type of dog who is self-oriented, selfish and narcissistic and it wets on everything to claim its territory. This is a dog that needs a master in all the purest and literal sense of the word.
That type of dog realizes that it is the leader of the pack, although he really doesn’t want to be. This kind of dog may be insecure and requires confident and strong leadership. This behavior occurs or comes about when relaxed and easy going dog owners who baby and spoil their dogs, and the relativity of love and discipline is more balanced toward love.
Your old pet may need reminding of your affection for him and they love you being the leader, so make the time to do refresher courses on dog housetraining.