Do you still punish your dog when he does not pee on the street? Do you think he should have already learned to do it? Up to 25% of the ethological consultations are carried out due to improper disposal, and the abandonment of the pet is frequent if the solution is not found. In order of importance we find this:
Learning Problems>Anxiety due to Separation> Territorial Marking>Others
In order to find the solution to the problem we must delve into its etiology by asking ourselves about the context, the beginning of the problem and the position of the animal, among other aspects. So, once we have ruled out organic problems (urinary, endocrinological, gastrointestinal, nervous …) we can think the following reasons:
Due to preference to a specific place: The animal prefers a place that can be always the same. To solve this problem, we will avoid access to that place, we will clean the area with enzymatic detergents and we will increase the animal’s walking, rewarding it when the elimination is done where we want.
Due to lack of walking: The obvious and inevitable solution is to get it out more. It is recommended to take the puppy every 4 hours and the adult dog every 8 hours a minimum interval of 30 min.
Due submission: We are facing a submissive animal that can not avoid elimination when it comes into contact with the dominant animal or person. The solution is to use counterconditioning, systematic desensitization and pharmacologically help (Imipramine). Avoiding punishment is more than obvious, as always we recomend.
Due to Excitement: In nervous dogs, where we should reward the animal when we see it calm and minimize the interaction with the action or object that excites it. Tranquilizing drugs can also help.
Due to marking: The animal delimits a territory based on the smell of its urine. In this case you can opt for castration that solves approximately 50% of cases. It is necessary to clean with enzymatic detergents to absolutely remove the odor. Counterconditioning can also help if we can be present at the time the animal marks territory.
Anxiety by separation. Read the article “Anxiety by separation”.
Due to cognitive dysfunction: The animal simply begins to fail in its normal functions due to age. All the management and pharmacology of geriatric animals will help solve the problem. (More information here)
If we think in prophylaxis the following tips may be useful:
Never punish the animal, you can only apply an informative “NO”.
Detect when they performs the improper elimination and take them out just in this moment.
Award the appropriate eliminations.
Clean with enzymatic detergents the places where we don’t want the animal micturize or defecate.
Walk the animal every 4 hours if it is a puppy or every 8 hours if it is an adult and a minimum of 30 min.
Only use pharmacological therapy when indicated by our veterinarian.
Whatever you think, we remind you to always visit your veterinarian.