I have had a number of cases where someone is fed up because their dog is regularly peeing around the house. A few things strike me as similar in these cases.
First: The issue has been going on for some time.
Second: The family feels as if the dog is doing it “deliberately” (I think they mean “maliciously”).
Third: They just got a new ——-. Fill in the blank with; sofa, rug, shoes, duvet…etc. And the dog has either already christened it, or they are desperately trying to prevent such an action.
Keep in mind that these are not normally puppies, they are 8 months-7 + years old and have regular incidents either everyday or at least once a week for months if not years. Frankly there is an issue if you dog is more than 6 months old and still house soiling regularly (I italicized regularly as there is always an exception for dogs who have been rehomed and such).
So, is it territorial? Is your dog trying to get one over on you and “own” the house in your absence? (Usually the incidents occur when no one is around to see). Or is it some sort of mild separation anxiety? Maybe your dog is anxious so pees out of fear of being left alone? Or maybe a “pack leader” issue of him being stressed that you have left the house without him and you are in some sort of danger?
These are all interesting and possibly true explanations. But does it matter? I tend to think it matters very little.
If it is territorial peeing than we need to manage the environment to break the habit and create a new better behavior to take its place. In the process of this we will hopefully learn a little more about the dog/human relationship involved and make adjustments to communication, leadership issues and relieve some anxiety the situation is causing the family (including the dog).
If it is anxiety peeing than we need to manage the environment to break the habit and create a new better behavior to take its place. In the process of this we will hopefully learn a little more about the dog/human relationship involved and make adjustments to communication, leadership issues and relieve some anxiety the situation is causing the family (including the dog).
I think you can see the pattern.
It is alright to look at an observable behavior and try to understand why it might be happening. That is absolutely necessary for cross species
relationship building. But ultimately unnecessary to actually solve the immediate problem of regular, non medical, house soiling.
I find a good portion of a session is discussing why the behavior, while deliberate, is probably NOT malicious. The dog is not doing it to “get back at you” for going out late.
Look into your dog’s eyes, is he really angry at you, or is that just a projection of your own feelings at the time? It is funny to me that someone can be so close to their dog is then so willing to assume the worst intentions. Please remember that your dog is not like Jaykel and Hyde, he does not suddenly become a malicious peeing monster and take revenge on you for letting the cat sleep on your bed. He is the same dog, just isn’t making very appropriate decisions right now.
