Dog House Soiling (Marking) Tips and Tricks

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Oops!  How to Prevent House Soiling Accidents in the Home

No, not on the rug! As all pet owners know, house soiling can be problem, even for adult dogs.  No one wants to scoop poop indoors! Inappropriate eliminations in the house is one of the biggest complaints and causes of stress for loving pet owners.   The causes stem either from not enough training or an underlying medical issue.

It’s best to eliminate medical causes first, as they can become serious if left untreated. If your dog has a reoccurring problem, bring him to a trusted veterinarian for an exam of urine, stool, and a complete check up.

Puppy Rearing

Puppies are full of energy and often excited to meet new people. The excitement may be too much for the developing canine and he’ll unintentionally pee on your shoes. Other problem urination occurs with submission behavior in puppies, especially with an assertive person. The problems are simple to solve in that young pup will generally grow out of them. You can also help in the meantime by approaching more calmly and teaching the puppy to sit before greeting.

Tummy Troubles

Other house soilings that shouldn’t cause alarm are rare occasions of stomach upset.  Only address a problem if it’s persistent and reoccurring over time.

Training, training, training

If your dog has a problem pooping their crate, and there is no other explanation, proper training is the next course of action.  Causes may be confinement as a puppy in a small crate and not allowed out often enough. A puppy that grows accustomed to a dirty crate has been taught this behavior is okay.

If you suspect the crate soiling is stress-related, do as much to give her comfort while confined. A proper acclimation process is a must with crate training; don’t just shove your dog in there and hope for the best. Ideally you want your dog to have a safe and happy association with their crate.

Cleanliness and Comfort

Another technique is changing their bedding.  Naturally owners wants to add a blanket or cushion to the crate to make it more like a human-bed, but these comfort may allow your dog to hide his poop or absorb urine.  Remove the bedding to make him more aware of the problem.  Likewise, you may find the opposite technique works for you. If your dog is soiling an empty crate, try adding a cushion or blanket, and see if that triggers the instinct to keep the sleep area clean.  With out a clear cause, owners will often need to do some trial and error.

Always clean the crate and your dog thoroughly after an accident.  Never allow your dog to get accustomed to feces in his den. An odor neutralizing cleaner will help eliminate smells which may encourage this behavior.

Consistent and Patient

Training your dog for proper elimination can at times be frustrating if he doesn’t seem to be making progress, but always have patience with your dog. They may be unlearning a practice reinforced over may years, and an owner’s anxiety will only compound the problem. Furthermore, owners should always stick to consistent training with their dogs and allow the dog to learn at their own pace. Soon enough you will have a proud and happy trained-dog!