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Dog Urination - Know the Reasons for Dog Urination Problems
by Rena Murray
Besides the basic elimination reason every creature on the planet has for "doing business," there are other dog instinctive behaviors which cause our four-legged friends to have dog urination problems. They run the gamut from the dog pack instincts of dog territory marking and dog scent mixing to female dog urination, dog mating behaviors, submissive urination, fear-based urination, excitement urination, and dangerous disrespect of owner authority. So let's explore what these mean and what you can do about them.
The quest for dominance frequently manifests in dog territory marking, even dog home urination to claim that territory. What does that mean? A male dog may begin to mark in the house if another dog is brought in and not made to be part of the pack. If you decide to bring a new dog home, walk your present dog and the new one together, with you in front and in between them, prior to bringing the new dog inside. Do the walk every day for at least forty-five minutes. If you already have more than one dog, you will need to do this with each one. The dogs will take at least two months to adjust to one another. Treat them equally, as favoritism is sure to cause a fight.
Female dogs sometimes pee where the male did. Pack members often cover each other's scent. Either there is jealousy involved, or the dogs are making sure the neighboring packs know right away that there is more than one dog here. Outside, don't worry. If inside, immediately do a mixture of vinegar, Dawn, and water to remove the scent, or else you will have repeated peeing by all the dogs. If jealousy is involved, then get help to address that issue.
There are occasions when a male dog urinates on a female before he mates with her. It is a way of claiming her that is declared for some distance.
A dog who pees on his human is neither scared of him nor even claiming him. He is showing the utmost disrespect. In horror I heard a wife's account of her naïve husband's child-like report: "Mommy, Doggie peed on Daddy." Then he said, "That's all right, Doggie. You couldn't help it." NO! Doggie did not have an elimination need! That was pure and utter, intentional disrespect that is symptomatic of far deeper issues. If your dog does this, do not wait. Consult a professional IMMEDIATELY!
Submissive urination is very common, too. An animal who does this should be removed from the situation. Do not discipline the dog; remove him. Showing anger might scare him enough to release his bowels completely. Clean up the spot when the dog is out of sight, then bring him back. Repeat the situation over and over. Remove him when he pees, and pet him when he doesn't. Avoid this common mistake: Do not pet him to reassure him if he pees, as that is reinforcement of the unwanted behavior.
Fear-based urination is the hardest of all the reasons to combat. Do not stand in front of the dog and pull him. He will shut down and empty his bowels every time. Instead, put the leash on the top of his neck and pull UP when the dog resists. Do not make eye contact with him until he surrenders and follows you. A look at the wrong moment is sometimes just enough for the dog to shut down.
Excitement urination is among the most common, and luckily simplest, dog urination problem to cure. Let's say Pepper squats every time a visitor comes in. What happens is that Pepper is already excited when the company comes. No one may touch her, talk to her, or look at her until she has relaxed completely. Remember, giving Pepper affection when excited will only increase the excitement and intensify the dog urination problem. To address the underlying cause, see our articles on controlling over excitement for further help with Pepper.
Want to stop Dog Urination Problems? Ask Dog Behaviorist – Dog Obedience Trainer – Platinum Expert Author, Rena Murray, at Dog Instinctive Behavior - your source for Dog Behavior & Dog Obedience Training help, blending the best of the Dog Whisper Behavior and other methods in no-nonsense Articles, FREE email Newsletter – PAW PERSUASION POINTERS, and BLOG - http://www.pawpersuasion.com/blog/ . Get hands-on help with a Consultation with Rena NOW to restore peace in your home!
Contact the author, Rena Murray
, at rena@pawpersuasion.com
.
