Re: [pyrnet] De-barking now inappropriate urination

["Tracy Bassett" <espinay@dynamite.com.au>]

<<Hello, Wolfie is now just 1yr. but he is still urinating in the house! He
has ruined my new floor and my table and chairs, any suggestions? >> Julie

Welcome Julie :-)

Here is some info I posted recently to another list which may be useful to
you:

With an older dog, just like a pup, there are a few rules you need to follow
to help the dog 'succeed' in going in the right place.  With an older dog
you will need to be particularly vigilant for a while as their habits will
be more ingrained.  Basically what you are doing is retraining them to do
things the way you want them  - replacing old habits with new ones.

The first golden rule of housetraining is SUPERVISION.  If the dog does its
business somewhere you do not want it to and you are not there it see it, it
is not a result of 'bad dog' but 'bad trainer'.  Slap yourself on the wrist,
clean it up, and vow to be more vigilant next time.  Basically when training
a dog not to go in the house, if you can't supervise the dog, the dog should
not be there (unless you are willing to accept an accident).  Instead the
dog should be either with you, in a crate or in the yard where you want it
to go.  To keep the dog with you, a tie line from the dogs collar to your
belt is often effective.  Make it long enough that the dog can lie down but
you can still move around the kitchen for example (or can close the toilet
door with the dog outside LOL! ;-) ).  Wherever you go in the house, the dog
goes too.

Ok, now the dog is adequately supervised at all times in the house, what do
we do?  First is to take the dog out at frequent intervals to the place you
want it to go.  You actually want the dog to succeed rather than fail -
reinforce the good.  Go with the dog.  When you see it doing its business
praise it and tell it what a good dog it is.  You can have a treat ready and
give a treat as well if you wish to reinforce this.  Next is if you see the
dog starting to go in the house (this is where vigilance comes in).  When
the dog looks like it wants to go (circling and sniffing etc) or starts to
go (if you are not quick enough to notice), say a quick loud ARRGH! or
something similar (like a loud sharp growl) to distract the dog from what it
is doing and indicate your disapproval.  Take the dog straight outside
(don't be rough - just a firm 'quick march').  As it finishes the job
outside, prase it  and give the treat to reinforce this is what you want.
Do this every time.  PERSISTENCE and CONSISTENCY are the other golden rules
;-).

It may also help to clean up all areas inside where the dog has toileted
with an enzyme based cleaner to remove the attraction as a common place to
go. Vinegar can also help to some extent.  Ammonia, bleach and antiseptic
type products will actually only increase the urine type smell to the dog so
don't use these.

A final side note.  With an (older) dog that is housetrained but starts to
urinate inside, it may also be of benefit for owners to have the vet check
and rule out a Urinary Tract Infection first.

Tracy Bassett
Canberra, Australia
espinay@dynamite.com.au
visit my webpage at http://members.dynamite.com.au/espinay/index.htm