Common Housetraining Problems
If your little dog goes out, sniffs every blade of grass in the yard without going potty, and then sneaks behind the furniture to do its business after you take it back inside, you have a confusion problem on your hands. Your own reaction when you catch it in the middle of such an episode may help solve the mystery behind this behavior.
You are only human, but if you yell and scream when little Max is caught in the act, he might think it's because of what he is doing, not where he is doing it. In other words, he's probably afraid to go potty in front of you, even out-of-doors. Small dogs can be very sensitive and easily shamed when they do something wrong. In such situations, it's best to give a firm “No, Max” and carry him outside or to the designated potty area — again and again until he gets the message. When he does go in the right place, give loving feedback and a treat every time. If you find an old accident, take him the scene of the crime, point to the evidence, and firmly say “No, Max!” and then take the little offender outside to go.
Never scream angrily at your dog or hit it with your hand or a newspaper if it has an accident. Rubbing its nose in it doesn't work either. The dog will become afraid and confused, and it will learn to distrust you as well. It may also react defensively by growling or biting.
Dominance Marking
Sometimes housetraining problems are not really about housetraining at all. Some male dogs attempt to establish their dominance by urinating on anything they perceive to be their domain. (We all know how male dogs like to stop at every fire hydrant when they are out for a walk.) A male dog will let you know when he's entering canine adolescence by lifting his leg to pee, usually between four and nine months of age, a sure sign that your baby is reaching sexual maturity.
Urine marking is not about the dog's need to empty its bladder. It is primitive territorial, sexual, and social behavior. Your dog's ancestors in the wild laid down their boundary markers with urine, a practice that enforced the pack system that was crucial to their safety and survival as a species. On a walk, it's your dog's way of reporting, “I was here.” On your table leg, it's his way of saying, “Everything here belongs to me.”
When your male dog marks in your house, he may be asserting his dominance over his pack or the humans and other dogs in your household, or he may be sexually aroused by a female dog within smelling distance. Neutering often solves the problem, but if it persists, the dog must be taught that you are the top dog in the house and he is a subordinate member of the pack. You may need to call upon a professional trainer or behaviorist for assistance. Obedience training itself may help, making your dog feel more confident and less inclined to mark territory. Male dogs also lift their legs indoors when they feel stressed or anxious about a change in their environment, such as a new baby, strangers working at your house, or a visiting dog. If you are single, your dog may become jealous of a new roommate or romantic partner.
Besides seeking professional help, you can crate the dog when you leave the house. When you're at home and see the dog nosing around for a spot to mark, be vigilant about swiftly getting him outdoors, using a firm “No! Outside!” as you catch him in the act. Of course, you should also offer lots of praise when he goes where he should.
Submissive Marking
Submissive urination is another common housetraining problem, more prevalent among female dogs. It also has its roots in pack behavior. When she urinates as you greet her upon returning home from work, little Ginger is telling you, “I am your love slave. I am just an insignificant underling, but you are the boss of all bosses.” It is an act of obeisance, like bowing and scraping to curry favor. Sometimes these insecure little dogs will first roll over and present their bellies, another submissive gesture that says, “Do with me what you will!”
An angry outburst from you will only make matters worse. The dog will try even harder to express her submission to you, the pack leader. Your best bet is to ignore this behavioral display and greet your dog in a quiet, calm manner. To get her out of the submissive mode, offer an obedience command, such as “Sit.” Then take her to the potty area. Don't make a big deal of cleaning up the puddle either. Again, building your dog's ego through obedience training will help teach her that this behavior is not necessary. If ignoring and redirecting the behavior does not stop it completely, use washable rugs by the front door and keep your emotions under control. Knowing that submission urination is a dog's way of saying “I worship you” might help.
Physical or Emotional Distress
If your little dog suddenly forgets its housebreaking manners, there may be a medical explanation. A urinary tract infection, bladder stones, kidney problems caused by diabetes, or the side effects of some medications could be the culprit. Imagine how bad you would feel if you realized those accidents happened because your poor little dog couldn't control its bodily functions. Visiting the vet will help get to the root of this lapse in acceptable behavior.
If the vet uncovers no physical cause, it might be an emotional problem. Has something changed in the dog's environment? Have there been family problems? A recent move? A change in your lifestyle? Are you too busy these days to pay attention to your dog?
Like a small child who acts out to get attention, your dog may be making a mess to get noticed. In its mind, negative attention is better than no attention at all. Try spending more time with your dog, whether walking, training, playing, or just sitting on the sofa together. After all, one of the reasons you wanted this little dog in the first place was for companionship.
Your dog craves your companionship as much as good food and a warm place to sleep.
Stool Eating
Another problem related to elimination is coprophagia, otherwise known as stool eating. It's disgusting to humans, but it is common behavior in dogs. Many small-breed pups try eating their stools as they explore their world by putting everything in their mouths. Beyond puppy curiosity, this behavior might be caused by a dietary deficiency, allergies, or food intolerance.
Crated puppies that get bored may have accidents and eat their own feces. If your puppy cannot be taken out of his crate to go potty during the day, it would be better to confine it to a gated-off room with the crate door open. Paper or litter training might also be good solutions in a case like this.
Some believe that dog foods containing corn, wheat, or soy, not easily digested by dogs, can lead to this problem. Human food could also be a culprit. Try switching your dog's food to a high-quality brand with more varied and digestible ingredients. Cut down on treats. Adding a digestive enzyme supplement may help as well. There are also products on the market in pill or powder form to alleviate this problem, making your little dog kissable once more.
If you want to curb such behavior, you need to catch the dog in the act. Say “No” like you really mean it! Making a scary noise with a can of rocks or a loud whistle when you observe the behavior is another way to curtail this. Of course, the best way to make sure it doesn't happen is to be vigilant about cleaning up any poop before the dog has a chance to eat it.
