How To Stop A Dog From Peeing And Pooping In The House
- When it comes to successful potty training, creating a routine is a must. Each time you leave your dog alone, take them outside to pee and poop before you go, and dont bring them back inside until theyve done their business.
- Whenever your pooch goes potty where theyre supposed to, encourage them with praise and treats. A little positive reinforcement goes a long way!
- Always thoroughly clean the spot in the house where your dog peed. Their urine contains an enzyme that stimulates them to repeat the deed, even when its completely dried! Use special cleaning products or baking soda for best results.
Leave A Background Noise
Odds are, your puppy associates the background noise from the TV with your presence. It makes sense then that having that same noise available while youre gone goes a long way to producing a comforting environment.
Additionally, some genres such as classical music, soft rock, and even reggae are shown to reduce stress in dogs.
You can find different types of music for dogs on YouTube.
Not only does the background noise help to mask noises of cars, people, thunderstorms, and such, but it will also give your puppy the feeling as if you were home, so he wont feel as lonely in your silent apartment.
How To Stop A Dog From Chewing And Digging
- To be most effective, combine daily exercise, deterrent sprays, and stimulating toys. Even if the exercise doesnt tire out your dog enough for him to leave your valuables alone, the specific smell of the deterrent will stop them in their tracks! Additionally, having an interesting toy to keep them occupied cant hurt.
- Dog-proof your home or yard. Use a crate or a pet fence to keep them away from the places where they can make some damage.
- Puzzles, chew toys, and chewable treats will redirect your furballs destructive behavior to an appropriate victim. Stock up on the right supplies and your shoes, carpets, and sofas will be safe!
Read more: How To Stop A Dog From Chewing
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Dont Skip Regular Exercise
Dont forget that a tired puppy is far less likely to show signs of separation anxiety, as he would rather sleep instead of making trouble.
Be sure to take him for a brisk walk before you go out, and consider incorporating mental exercises and puzzle toys. These will also help your pup build patience, self-control, and focus.
What Is Separation Anxiety In Dogs
As the name suggests, it stems from fear, worry, and distress about being removed from the company of their owner. Its particularly prevalent in puppies and younger dogs, but it can also manifest in older canines that have been adopted or rescued.
In short, it is a fear from your dog that you are going to leave them and not come back. Its essential that you build a mutual trust with your canine companion. This will ensure that they understand that, if youre leaving them at home, its for a good reason and you will be returning ideally with treats.
A dog that suffers from this condition will be distressed, destructive and potentially dangerous to himself or herself if left home alone for any period of time. Its a condition that needs to be managed and dealt with as quickly as possible, for both your sake and that of your dog.
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How To Treat It
First, talk to your vet to rule out any medical problems. Sometimes dogs have accidents in the house because of infections or hormone problems or other health conditions. It also could be due to incomplete housebreaking. And some medications can cause accidents. If your dog takes any drugs, ask your vet if they are to blame.
Teach Your Dog To Be Alone
Independence training is a great way to teach your dog boundaries and make them feel more comfortable when alone. If your pooch is clingy and never strays far from you, use commands like stay and wait to encourage self-sufficiency. Having a dog that follows you around loyally and lovingly can be adorable, but its not advisable to nurture this type of behavior. Even though you might think your dog will be sad if theyre not constantly with you, a little bit of independence can prevent obsessive dog behavior and separation anxiety.
When youre at work, using a pet camera such as Petcube Play 2 can help you ease your dog into being alone. Instead of feeling abandoned for hours , hearing your reassuring voice will make your pooch get into the habit of spending time on their own – without stress!
Read more: How to Leave Your Dog Home Alone
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He Cant Stay In Another Room In Your House
Have you left your puppy alone in another room in your home and he just canât stand it?
Maybe you tried shutting him in a room while you went to get something, and all he did was cry and howl while you were gone.
Or maybe you just need to get up from the couch and go into the next room, and your puppy simply canât be away from you.
While this may sound cute, itâs actually a sign that your puppy might have separation anxiety. If just being in another room is too difficult for your puppy, then you may want to start working with him to ensure heâs more comfortable being alone.
Exercise Will Cure It
While its true that exercise can help cut down on some destructive behaviors, on its own it may not be enough to cure separation anxiety. Now Im not one to say you shouldnt give your dog more exercise nearly all dogs would benefit from more physical activity. But what I am saying is that exercise alone isnt always going to be enough to cure all cases of separation anxiety.
Exercise is known to help cut down on anxiety in humans and dogs alike, but its usually paired with additional treatment methods. Exercise can help with your dogs anxiety, but it might not be enough on its own.
Most of us go to work in the morning, and for many dogs that means we leave without giving our dogs a chance to burn off any energy . Before leaving for work in the morning take your dog for a quick walk or jog, or fit in a quick game of tug or fetch.
Giving your dog some extra exercise before you leave is great, and there arent any downsides to it but alone it may not be enough to keep them calm as youre leaving.
If giving your dog more exercise doesnt work for your dog give them something to do as youre leaving. When youre getting ready for work in the morning does your dog start to get anxious? If so hand them a Kong stuffed with treats that youve frozen overnight. I prefer using Kongs because theyre indestructible , and I feel comfortable leaving my dog with it.
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The Importance Of Obedience Training And Discipline
I believe much of the cure for separation anxiety comes from obedience training and discipline. This approach lets your dog know what is expected of him, helping his good behavior to become a habit. He feels wrong showing an unwanted behavior even without you indicating it. Take advantage of that.
Spend time trainingnot just classes once a weekoften and consistently. Show your dog what you want from him in and around the house, and during daily routines. Two minutes here, five minutes there. Not just going for a walk but training him as you go to sit at curbsides, and sit when meeting others, people and dogs.
Teach your dog to sit at the door, lie down, and stay while you go out of sight for increasing periods of time in your own house. Train your dog to sit and wait to be greeted by guests, move aside when you go to the refrigerator, and go to the bathroom on cue. In general, you should be teaching your dog in small steps to be a respectful and have confidence in himself.
Rehabilitation begins by having your dog know what is expected of him. You and other members of your family are the pack leaders, and you need to be recognized as such, not as dictators, but as leaders. For example, if your dog comes up to you and nudges your hand, or slaps you with his paw. You think this is cute and he is petted. This becomes a habit, and now your dog thinks I am in control and I can tell you what to do. Then, when he cannot carry it out, he becomes stressed.
Home Remedies For Curing Dog Separation Anxiety Quickly
An anxious dog can usually be calmed by pheromones, which are often available in the form of a diffuser from any reputable pet store. Alternatively, you could pop a couple of drops of Rescue Remedy into Fidos water bowl, or make your own herbal remedy for spraying around the house.
Popular herbs and oils for calming dogs are:
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How To Prevent Separation Anxiety In Dogs
Active, stimulated dogs may be less likely to develop separation anxiety. Keeping your pet active can help, and regular training sessions even for well-behaved dogs will reinforce positive behaviors. Routine exercise and training also provide structure. Sometimes, relaxing a training routine can actually lead to separation anxiety, which is another possible cause to consider when you speak with your veterinarian.
Discouraging certain behaviors can also help prevent separation anxiety from developing. Needy behaviors like scratching or excessively seeking attention may seem cute but could be a sign that your dog does not know how to comfort themselves. You can help them become more self-sufficient by gently discouraging or ignoring these behaviors.
How Does The Fear Originate
Fear is one of the emotions that originate primarily in an almond-shaped mass of nuclei called the amygdala. The amygdala is located in the temporal lobe of the brain, and all the information regarding a stimulus as well as all possible experience associated with it can be found there. It reacts to a stimulus by sending a signal to the following three locations: 1) the grey matter that controls the activity of the skeletal and muscular system 2) the parts of the hypothalamus that control the activity of the autonomic nervous system, and 3) the parts of the hypothalamus that control hormonal function. It triggers an instantaneous reaction in the whole body that is aimed at saving the life. This reaction is called the fight-or-flight response, and it is characterized by increased breathing and heart rates, increased cardiac output, and increased blood flow to vital organs . The hormonal response involves the release of cortisone, which significantly impacts glucose metabolism and other important metabolic processes. The body mobilizes quick sources of energy.
In some cases, these changes are positive because they allow the animal to fight or run away from the danger. When the animal cannot escape or avoid it in any way, a chronic stress reaction appears, which might end up harming or even killing the animal.
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What Should Be Done Before Departures
Before any lengthy departure, provide a vigorous session of play and exercise. This not only helps to reduce some of your dogâs energy and tire her out, but also provides a period of attention. A training session can also be a productive way to further interact and âworkâ with your dog. For the final 15 to 30 minutes before departure, your dog should be ignored. It would be best if your dog were taken to her rest and relaxation area with a radio, TV, or video playing . You can then prepare for departure while your dog is out of sight and earshot. At this point, provide your dog with some new motivating toys to keep her occupied and distracted before and during your departure. The key is to avoid as many of the departure cues as possible, so that your dogâs anxiety doesnât heighten before you leave. Brushing teeth, changing into work clothes, or collecting keys, purse, briefcase or school books, are all routines that might be able to be performed out of sight of the dog. You might also consider changing clothes at work, preparing and packing a lunch the night before, or even leaving the car at a neighbor’s so your dog wouldn’t hear the car pulling out of the driveway.
“Avoid saying goodbye since this will only serve to bring attention to the departure.”
What Causes Separation Anxiety
It’s not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and others don’t. But remember, your dog’s behaviors are part of a panic response. Your dog isn’t trying to punish you! They just want you to come home!
These are some of the scenarios that can trigger separation anxiety:
- Being left alone for the first time.
- Being left alone when accustomed to constant human contact.
- Suffering a traumatic event, such as time away from you in a boarding kennel.
- Change in the family’s routine or structure, or the loss of a family member or other pet.
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Can Puppies Get Separation Anxiety
Yes, puppy separation anxiety is a common behavioral issue. Sometimes its difficult to tell if your puppys behavior when alone is normal or not. To avoid issues, puppies must not be left alone for extended periods.
There are no specific statistics on the number of puppy separation anxiety cases. However, occurs in 14% of adult dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, the issue can be drawn from puppyhood to adulthood if not addressed.
Research by veterinary behaviorists J. P. Scott and J. Fuller shows that the dogs behavioral makeup is 35 percent genetic and 65 percent due to external factors such as socialization, nutrition, health care, training, and management.
In other words, external factors cannot change temperament. However, they certainly play a role in future training and behavior modification. With that being said, pet parents should be aware that the prevention of puppy separation anxiety starts as soon as the new puppy gets home.
Dont Make Leaving A Big Deal
When its time to leave, walk away and return without any fuss. Make your coming and going a part of daily life from the start to allow your puppy to get used to it.
Do short, small tasks alone, like showering, using the restroom or putting clothes in the wash, to help them learn its okay to be aloneand that youll come back. If you give them a tasty dog treat they may even look forward to their alone time.
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Hes Peeing Inside Even If Just Left Alone For A Few Minutes
Part of having a puppy means housetraining. Teaching your puppy to pee outside is a challenging but necessary part of raising a puppy.
But if your puppy is potty trained and still urinating inside when you leave him, or even if youâre in the process of potty training and you step out for just a few minutes and come back in to find your puppy has peed, then these could be signs that heâs experiencing separation anxiety.
A puppy peeing inside could also indicate another issue. Your puppy may be peeing out of submission or excitement, which is a whole other issue on its own. Learn more by checking out these 13 tips to stop excited or submissive dog peeing.
How To React To Destructive Anxiety In Puppies
If your puppy is destructive when you leave the house, dont react angrily. You should never punish a dog for anxious behavior. Although its frustrating, it is not their fault. Puppies with separation anxiety are also desperate for attention, so reacting like that may actually encourage their behavior.
Not only that, but they are too young to understand why youre upset, so it would just frighten them and ruin your bond. It could even make them feel threatened and cause an aggressive reaction. It is far more effective to show them that this kind of behavior doesnt get any attention from you. And dont forget to praise them when they get it right!
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Tips For Mild Cases Of Puppy Separation Anxiety
Puppy separation anxiety is easier to prevent than to address months or even years later. Remember, dogs are social animals, so if theyre going to be frequently left alone, give them ample time to play with you.
Discover more tips for dog and puppy owners by hearing from our pet experts on our Pet Expertisepage.