When dog soiling begins to ruin your living room carpet on a regular basis, action needs to be taken. Here's everything you need to know about the problem of dog soiling. Causes Of Frequent Soiling
While these are the most common causes of a dog's frequent house-soiling behavior, it can also be an indication of an illness that requires the attention of a veterinarian. The possible medical problems can include bladder stones, liver disease, and diabetes. It is especially common for older dogs to show an increase in soiling. This is usually a result of a decrease in cognitive brain function.
Environmental Factors
Once you have ruled out these more serious potential issues, you can assume the cause of dog soiling is environmental. The behavior could be a reaction to a change in your household that has caused the dog to develop anxiety. This includes the sudden absence of a family member (usually a death or divorce) or the addition of a family member (new baby). It can also be caused by a change in your work schedule. When a dog's routine is disturbed, anxiety can be expressed through bad behavior like soiling. Luckily, situations such as these usually cause only a temporary lapse in house training and the problem will disappear when the dog becomes accustomed to the new circumstances.
Another reason the dog may go to the bathroom in the house is related to the lack of safety and security in the outside environment. Perhaps the dog is constantly being taunted by the neighbor's kids or another dog growls and barks every time your dog is left outside. As a result, the dog goes to the bathroom in the most secure environment available: the house. To prevent this, be sure that you have provided a safe outdoor space for your dog.
Treating the Behavior
House-training a dog is similar to house-training a puppy. Besides creating a safe outdoor environment, there are several other things you can do:
These tips, along with some patience, will alleviate most Dog Soiling problems and result in a happier and more obedient dog as well as a cleaner home for you and your family.
