The Tribune

Today one of the most common complaints of dog owners that I see in my practice at Central Animal Hospital is that of house soiling by adult dogs. Even the most reliably trained dogs can have trouble-controlling bowel or bladder function during illness or stress. If your dog suddenly loses its house training manners, a veterinarian should investigate the possibility of an underlying medical disorder if there is no evidence of physical illness review recent events that might have made your pet anxious.

Dogs may lose desirable habits in response to events that are not obvious to their owners. A female dog maybe in heat in the neighbourhood that may arouse tension. A threat from a new pet in the neighbourhood will interfere with your dog’s territorial security. There maybe changes in the dynamics between your dog and a house hold pet.

Lost of house training habits sometimes reflects an owners stress. Dogs are sensitive to owner’s moods. Your dog may react to tension and withdrawal by reassuring territorial claims with deposits of urine or stool this very act is an immediate emotional relief for a pet. They may even eliminate in a place that is strongly associated with their owner for example your bed or clothing.

During busy times many owners attempt to just let the dogs out in the yard rather than take them for a walk. Because dogs often require continuing encouragement to eliminate out doors it is important to continue daily leash walks at regular intervals to maintain house training. Spending more quality time with your dog reduces your own stress level and benefits everyone’s sense of well being.

When a dog eliminates in the house most owners believe that their pet is aware of its misbehaviour because it acts guilty. Your pet is only responding to your attitude or body posture that signals impending punishment, what is being called a guilty look is really the anxious facial expression and submissive, cowering stance of a dog that is attempting to ward off what it senses to be an impending punishment. Your pet is unlikely to understand why you are upset when you return home to find an accident that happened earlier. Ignore the mess and remember that if you punish the dog he wouldn’t know why you are punishing him.

Solutions

If your dog loses his house training manners follow the three steps.

Prevent accidents by resuming basic house training.

Walk it on a leash within one and half hour after each meal (or sooner). Reward your dogs appropriate elimination immediately with abundant praise even give a treat as well.

Decrease your pets desire to return to soiled areas. Odours must be removed in the house because they will attract the pet and maintain objectionable habits long after the initial cause of the misbehaviour is gone. Thoroughly disinfect and deodorize the soiled areas. Many household-cleaning products such as white vinegar and baking soda can neutralize the odours that attract your pet to the location. After cleaning, block access to the target area with an obstacle, such as a piece of furniture. Alternatively, feed your pet or near this spot or simply place a bowl of water there.

Implement steps one and two as soon as possible. The longer the misbehaviour is allowed to continue, the less he will respond to correction if at all.