Animal Medical Centre of Greensboro PA
4113 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, NC 27407 (336) 855-5821

General Tips

Housesoiling is a common problem with many pet owners. While there are many valuable techniques used to correct this behavior, these are the ones that we have found to be of the best benefit.

1. Avoid all fondling of the dog. Praise and pet it only after is has responded to some command.

2. Feed only on a schedule with a steady amount of food. Never feed with tidbits or table scraps.

3. Keep the same elimination schedule on the weekends that you do during the week so as not to confuse the dog; continuity is best.

4. Watch for sniffing of furniture since it is a precursor to urination. Take the dog outside immediately if sniffing is noticed and praise the dog for urinating in the proper place.

5. If urine is found in the house, do not make a "thing" of it. Avoid scolding in any way. Apply correction when the dog looks at the soiled spot, then immediately take the dog to the proper toilet area and await some sort of sniffing, praising it with "Good Dog," and wait for urination. Then, praise the and pet the dog, pointing to the spot urinated on.

6. All household members must treat the dog in the same manner, using the same techniques.

7. Run the dog through exercises such as "Sit" and "Stay" twice daily and whenever it seems to be getting bossy.

8. Avoid bringing other dogs into the house until the problem is cleared up.

9. Take up water whenever the dog is to be left alone and at night. In severe cases, give water only at feeding times.

10. Clean any urine spots with a 25% solution of white vinegar and water. Soak any residue of this solution up by pressing with paper towels. Don't let the dog watch the clean-up! We also provide some excellent pet odor elimination products in the clinic. Be sure to ask our receptionists for a recommendation.

11. This procedure is used on the assumption that the dog is in excellent health. Disease, such as cystitis or other more severe conditions, may be responsible for the problem. If a complete veterinary check has not been made within ten days of the problem starting, an exam may be advisable in certain cases.