Why do dogs that used to potty train start urinating everywhere? This is a problem many owners are facing.
Inappropriate urination is more than just a matter of "bad habit"; it's a clear warning sign that something "wrong" is happening to your dog, whether it's physical pain they can't tell you about or accumulated emotional stress.
But don't panic, everything is still fixable. First, we want to find the real reason why your dog has inappropriate urination behavior so we can address the problem correctly.
Health reasons
If your dog, which has always been used to potty train, suddenly changes its behavior… Please don't scold or punish him yet. Because this might not be mischievousness, but rather something his body is telling him. “"I'm not feeling well."”
The first thing owners would suspect is these health problems.
- Urinary tract diseases: Regardless of whether Cystitis or Kidney stones This can cause the child pain or burning sensation when defecating, or lead to inability to control bowel movements.
- Serious internal diseases: Frequent urination or inability to control urination may be caused by... Kidney disease (kidney failure) or Diabetes This directly affects the body's water balance.
- Age-related decline: such as Urinary incontinence Or the problem. physical pain Especially older dogs. Hip osteoarthritis Walking to the distant bathroom was agonizing for them, so they needed to choose the closest and most convenient spot to urinate instead.
🚩 Important observation If inappropriate bowel movements are accompanied by other symptoms such as: The child appears lethargic, has a loss of appetite, vomits, or their urine has an unusual color or smell. Take your pet to a veterinarian for a check-up as soon as possible before the condition worsens.
Behavioral and emotional causes.
Even after your veterinarian confirms your dog is healthy, if they still urinate inappropriately, the cause could be due to territorial marking.
- Incomplete potty training: This may be due to inconsistent training by the owner, or the dog not yet understanding where to urinate, especially in puppies or dogs that have recently moved to a new home.
- Stress and anxiety: This is a major cause that many people overlook and are unaware that dogs can express stress through their defecation.
- Separation anxiety: The dog will urinate (or defecate) inappropriately only when the owner is not home.
- Changes in the environment: such as moving house, rearranging furniture, having a new family member (person or animal), or having other animals outside the house.
- Fear: Fear of loud noises, such as thunder, fireworks, or construction noise.
- Urinating to show submission: Dogs may urinate when they feel threatened, scolded, or even extremely excited to see their owner, which is often seen in puppies who are not yet confident in themselves.
Solutions that owners need to know.
Because changing a dog's behavior isn't something that can be done in a day; it requires time and effort. Love, patience, and understanding. Very, very high
Don't give up just yet... Let's start adjusting step by step together.
- Absolutely no punishment is allowed: Scolding, hitting, or forcing a child's face to smell urine. It only made things worse. The dog will get stressed and will go urinate somewhere else instead.
- Take him/her to the veterinarian (most important): It's necessary to first check that the dog isn't suffering from any of these diseases: cystitis, kidney stones, or kidney disease. If the dog is sick, it must be treated for that disease.
- Clean properly: Use an "enzymatic cleaner" to eliminate odors at their source. Do not use ammonia. Because the smell is like urine, it will further stimulate you to urinate again.
- Go back to basic training (if you're not sick):
- Take your dog to urinate in the designated spot at the same time every day (e.g., after waking up, after eating).
- Give the reward immediately. When he urinates in the right place (very important!).
- Restrict their area (use a fence) when we can't watch them.
5. Address the root cause of the behavior:
- If creating a territory (Marking): Sterilization helps a lot.
- If you are stressed/anxious: Increase physical activity. Find the cause of your stress.
6. Be patient and consistent: Solving this problem will take time; it cannot be completed in a single day.
When your child urinates in the wrong place, it's a "signal" they're trying to communicate. They might be "ill" or "stressed." The important thing is... Do not scold or punish. Let's start with... Visit a veterinarian. For a health checkup beforehand. If you are not sick, use... patience and Consistent training This problem can definitely be solved.
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