Chuck is just under a year old now and at various times he goes through phases of manipulating his potty training - sitting by the door to be let out when he doesn't really have to go.

It hasn't really been a problem until recently when I visited my parents for memorial day weekend. The last several times he visited he was fine there, totally potty trained, knows the door to go to, etc.

When I brought him there this weekend he started off with an accident about 30 minutes after arriving, even though he went before we went inside. It happens, he's super excited to see people again and sniff the whole house, I didn't think much of it.

After that however he was asking to go out every 15 minutes. I got so sick of it that I crated him more than I would have liked to. He is completely healthy as far as I know, full energy, etc.

Any thoughts or advice on how to handle this?

Is this only at your parents house? If so, do they have dogs, and is Chuck intact or recently neutered? The reason I ask about him being intact, is I'm wondering if it could be marking behavior, both the accident and the frequent requests to go out could mean that he wants to mark. You could try belly bands next time. If he tries to mark or has an accident, generally they will keep a dog from going. Then when you feel like it's time for him to go out, just remove it and let him out. Most dogs won't actually pee when wearing a belly band, some do, but not many. I got them for Dizzy when I had a friend watch him before he was neutered. They had an older female that had health issues and was incontinent, so I figured he would try to mark in their house. He only tried once, and stopped after he got in trouble, so I never did end up using them.

In terms of 'manipulation,' just make sure that you don't make him come in immediately after he goes and let him stay out, or even better play or walk him after he goes. I think they all try to pull the going out to play not pee thing. Diz is just on a strict schedule and unless I know he's had a lot more than normal to drink (like swimming or on a super hot day), or he has the runs I just stick to that schedule, or at least the length of times between going out if I sleep in or something. I know his limits, and how long he can hold it, so I plan his trips outside when I need to, this way, I can tell if he's actually gotta go, or if he just wants to hang out outside. I honestly can't remember his last accident. Maybe, 16 weeks old? It's been a long time. He has major stall tactics though. He walks slow, smiles at random people to try to get them to stop and pet him, starts to sniff stuff half heartedly... Usually about the last half a block of our walk. We did want smart dogs right???