The Most Common House Training Problems

Many dog owners today misunderstand the real deal in house training. The subject can get very confusing and dreadful. Because of this, we would like to discuss with you further two of the most common problems that surround the issue of house training. These are 1.) excited urination and 2.) scent marking.

Submissive /Excited Urination

If your dog is a submissive urinator, he does not hesitate to urinate anywhere. He urinates on the floor, on himself, on you – everywhere. This happens when he is feeling a sense of excitement or stress. Many dog owners experience this behavior when they return home at the end of the day or when he is being reprimanded.

Puppies are prone to submissive or excited urination but there are also adult dogs that experience the same problem.  These dogs are either timid or highly-sensitive. Pets with a history of abuse and those who come from shelters are also vulnerable to becoming submissive or excited urinators. There are a host of reasons that contribute to this behavior. These include greeting time after prolonged absence, play time, arrival of guests, stressful situations at home, reprimanding, and sudden loud noises.

What can I do about it? The good news is that it is not difficult to treat a dog with this kind of behavior.  Take your dog to the vet to ensure that there are no underlying medical reasons for this. Diabetes and bladder infection can also cause the behavior. Consider the following:

1. Limit water intake to control his bladder effectively.
2. Stay calm and mellow when you greet your dog.
3. Do not punish your dog harshly.
4. Stress can lead to urination so take the stress to level down by being authoritative and firm but not angry.

Scent Marking

Scent marking is another common problem among homeowners. It is where a dog left a mark in your home with his urine. You can tell that a dog is scent marking is the urine produced is small and if it is directed against vertical surfaces like doors and walls. Male dogs which are unneutered or at least 5 months old are also prone to scent marking.

To solve this problem, neuter your dog as soon as you can. If this is done before your pet reaches 6 months, it halts marking altogether. However, if your dog has been marking for a long period of time, there’s a chance that she will continue scent marking even after being neutered because the pattern has been established for a long time.  Cleaning your soil thoroughly also yield good results. Use a non-ammonia based cleaner. You can also use other commercial cleaners to lift pet stains. Bear in mind that dogs will re-mark the same places so you need to redefine the areas in order to avoid repeat offending.

Consider the following tips:

1. Feed her near the spot
2. Play with him near the spot
3. Groom him near the spot
4. Put his bed next to the spot

Through this, you will be able to eliminate two of the most common problems that most dog owners have.