The Complexities of House Soiling

If you’re having a problem housebreaking Mr. Goodpuppy, you will probably need help identifying the reason(s) for the problem and correcting them. The causes of the problem may be genetic, environmental or physiological

1) Genetic Predisposition:

Mr. Goodpuppy may have been born with genes that cause him to have introverted stress reactions, a passive defense reflex, dominant tendencies and/or territorial tendencies. All  of these traits can result in house soiling problem.

2) Environment:

Improper Leadership: If Mr. Goodpuppy does not see you as his leader, he may communicate his superiority by marking your things. If he’s insecure, he may, by marking near windows, communicate to the outside world that this is HIS home.

Improper Stimulation: If not well socialized to domestic sensory stimulation, an adult Mr. Goodpuppy may urinate as a primary reaction to meeting new people, or, as a secondary reaction to his being stressed or excited. Panting when he’s stressed or excited will results in his drinking more, and, in turn, eliminating at unexpected times. In addition, if he doesn’t have consistent or sufficient physical stimulation, he may move his bowels irregularly. Also, if you can’t stimulate his reflex to eliminate, he may not eliminate when you want him to.

Improper Learning: Sometimes, we humans unwittingly send the wrong message when housebreaking our dogs. If Mr. Goodpuppy is trained by dominance and confrontation, he may urinate submissively when he sees someone to communicate his subordination. If you take Mr. Goodpuppy outside to eliminate and give him a treat when he comes inside, you will have reinforced him for coming inside, not for eliminating outside. Letting Mr. G.P. mark several times on a walk
a) gives him permission to mark where and whenever he wants AND, b) gives him incentive to mark inside to put his signature on his home. If, in nice weather, you walk Mr. Goodpuppy until he eliminates, and then immediately bring him home after he “goes”, if he enjoys his walk, you will have unintentionally punished him for eliminating outside. Over time, he may learn to delay eliminating outside in order to prolong the outing. He may even “hold it” outside only to eliminate shortly after he gets back home. And, then you’re upset… and so is he. Poor Mr. Goodpuppy!

Fear, Stress and Excitement: When a dog is fearful, stressed or excited, he may eliminate at times you would not want him to, for example, when company comes. If Mr. Goodpuppy is fearful of strange noises and if he’s about to eliminate when he hears a strange noise, he may avoid eliminating altogether on that outing.

3) Physiological Reasons:

Since puppy development, diet, hormonal changes, old age, illness, medication etc., can all result in house soiling, they need to be factored in and ruled out in order to have a comprehensive diagnosis.

The Happy Ending
With proper diagnostics and a thorough well-executed treatment plan, almost all house soiling can be managed, if not completely stopped.