Wednesday, November 12, 2014

How To Stop Your Dog Having Little Accidents

If you have a dog, there will be occasions when your dog can't control his or her bladder. When your dog has a little accident, your initial reaction might be to punish him or her. If these accidents become a common occurrence in your home, you need to do something about it. There will be an underlying reason for the accidents, and you need to figure out what it is. Dealing with a dog who urinates in your home is difficult, but it is something you need to do.
Don't shout at your dog


Often, when a dog has an accident, it is because he or she is nervous. If you shout at your dog for what happened, it will make the situation worse. You might be angry about the situation, but you should not take it out on your dog. Instead, send your dog to his or her naughty corner while you clean up the mess he or she has made.

Make sure that your dog feels secure


One of the main reasons that dogs start to have accidents is because they don't feel secure in your home. Does your dog have a place where he or she feels comfortable? Dog beds are great for dogs who feel insecure. Having a space that is theirs and theirs alone will make a huge difference to the way your dog behaves. Make sure that you create a 'safe space' for your dog where he or she will not have to fear anything.

Figure out what has changed


Has something changed in your household? Tiny changes in your home can make a huge difference to your dog. For example, if you have started using a new laundry powder or perfume, your dog will know. Dogs are sensitive to small changes, particularly smells. It could be that your dog was trying to mark his or her territory by urinating in a certain area. Investigate and see whether there have been any changes in your home. If a friend's dog came into your house, your dog will still be able to smell it. The scent will threaten your dog's territory.
Give your dog the comfort he or she needs


When your dog is nervous, he or she needs a lot of attention and comfort. Rather than berating your dog for his or her accidents, try and provide your dog with some comfort. Give your dog extra attention and love. It might be that your dog is suffering from anxiety or stress. If you leave your dog at home alone for much of the day, you need to ensure that he or she gets attention from you when you get home.
Consider your dog’s age

As dogs get old, they lose control over their bladder. That is a natural part of the aging process. If your dog is twelve years old or more, he or she could be experiencing incontinence. That means that you dog has no control over when he or she urinates. If that is the case, there are some things you can do. You might need special medication for your dog so that he or she can deal with the issue. 

Take your dog to the vets

If you think that age might be the problem, you should take your dog to the vets so that a professional can check for you. It is wise to do this sooner rather than later so that you can deal with the problem as quickly as possible. Sometimes pet owners fail to realize when their dog has a medical issue. If your dog doesn't seem to have control over his or her bladder, that is a real problem. 

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