News from Lucky Dog Resorts

Inappropriate canine urination in the house can be a trying behavior for the dog owner, and it is often difficult to figure out exactly what is going on. Veterinary causes such as a urinary tract infection should be ruled out first, especially if the dog had been housebroken and suddenly began to have problems holding her urine. Females are particularly prone to these infections which can be brought on by certain other physical problems, or sometimes stress. If your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health one must consider other reasons for the problem.

The Mill and/or Pet Store Dog
If you know you have a pup or dog on your hands that came from the puppy mill pipeline, you may have a dog that not only urinates, but defecates inappropriately. It is a dog's natural instinct to keep her living area clean, and in the wild the learn by witnessing mom leaving the den to eliminate, and cleaning up after her pups. Unfortunately, in a dirty puppy mill, dogs are often born from mothers who have no ability to clean themselves or the pups properly even if her natural instinct is to do so. In close, cramped environments, there is no opportunity for a pup to go outside his sleeping area to eliminate. Infrequent cleaning of his area may cause him to get used to living in his own filth. Some dogs in pet store windows can be witnessed playing in their own urine and feces; not a natural action for any dog!

Puppies Soiling Crates or Home
Even if a pup does not come from a mill or pet store, other factors may influence his elimination. A crate that is too large may have an area far enough away from where he sleeps that soiling that area does not bother him too much. Always block off a crate that is too large with an object (make sure it is a safe object) that can be removed as the pup grows. It may also be a matter of the dogs physical inability to hold his urine for as long as you would like. This is especially true in puppies, but older dogs have their limitations too. Arrange a noon visit from a pet sitter to allow your dog to relieve himself before he soils his crate.

Hello Peeing (Submissive Elimination)
Some dogs will pee when you come home and greet them. This is a behavioral problem, but also seems to be inherited in some dogs (example - the American Cocker Spaniel.) Submissive urination suggests a dog with a low confidence level, who needs a lot of support and encouragement. She may have been corrected too harshly in the past, and anticipating physical correction may cause her to lose complete control when she sees you. There are quite a few techniques a qualified trainer can help you with that can improve or extinguish this behavior entirely.

A Commonly Asked Question: If my dog pees indoors occasionally during daycare will that effect his housebreaking?
Dogs are quite in tune with behaviors occurring in certain situations, and not in others. Dogs will,casually eliminate inside the Lucky Dog facilities, but this will not be a behavior "transferred" to the home environment. Why? The home is the dog's den and for most normal dogs the instinct to keep the den clean is of the utmost importance. Lucky Dog can be thought of as a "dog park" environment. A roof over the facility has nothing to do with it; the sites and smells of other dogs tell your dog that this is an area where elimination is allowed, just as he would pick up those signals at a dog park. Once in his own kennel space in boarding, however, most dogs will try not to eliminate there; his temporary den.