Pet Talk: Nov. 25, 2015

By Sally Salopek

Q: We have a puppy who pees in the same spot on the tile floor in the house. What can we do to get her to quit having these accidents in the house?

A: First, I would highly recommend cleaning the spot with one of the enzymatic cleaners on the market available at pet supply stores made especially to eliminate pet odors. Be sure to follow the manufacturers directions carefully. Or you could use the old standby, first cleaning with soap and water, and then using a mixture of 25 percent white vinegar and 75 percent water to spray the area to mask any lingering odors. If your pup smells any urine on the tile floor she will continue to return to the “accident zone” to relieve herself, thinking this is the indoor bathroom.

Next, don’t allow her out of your sight. I know this is easier said than done, but freedom in the home is a privilege that should be earned after potty reliability is established. Try putting her leash on and attaching it to your belt buckle. This way you will be sure to notice any cues she is giving if she has to go out. Sniffing and circling are two of the most common. If you cannot keep an eye on her during the housebreaking phase, be sure to confine her to a crate or other small area after having her outside. Most puppies will not soil their living quarters, so if she needs to relieve herself she will bark, whine or scratch to let you know. Ask her if she has to go outside, so she will learn to associate the word with going out to eliminate. Take her out immediately to a specific area you want your puppy to use as her bathroom using a command such as “go potty.” When she goes praise her enthusiastically saying “good girl go potty” along with a reward of a treat, a favorite game or even a walk when she’s done. Just because your pup has just used the outdoors, don’t assume she will not need to go again for a while and slack off on keeping an eye on her. If she didn’t completely empty her bladder, she will go again shortly after being outdoors. Be sure to watch for her cues.

A few guidelines in housebreaking a puppy are to take the pup out when they wake up from a nap, shortly after a meal, before bed and first thing in the morning along, with intervals throughout the day. Depending on your puppy’s age you may need to get up in the middle of the night to let her out to relieve herself.

Never, ever scold a puppy for going in the house or rub their nose in it. This will only cause them to fear you. If you catch her in the act, just say “no” without yelling or “oops” (hard to say oops angrily) and take the pup to her designated spot outside. Tell her to “go potty” or use whatever phrase you decide, but be sure to use it consistently. Don’t forget to praise and give a reward if she finishes her business out there. If you find an accident after the fact, just clean it up as described above and don’t say a word to your pup, who will not understand why you are upset. The blame rests solely on the shoulders of the person in the house who failed to monitor her properly.

Good luck. Housebreaking is only a phase that is short lived if you take the proper steps to help your puppy learn what is expected of her. They really just want to please us and it’s our job to help them understand right from wrong in a kind manner.

Sally Salopek is the owner and operator of Attend-A-Pet pet sitting services in northern Door County. She has also worked professionally with animals in health care, pet grooming, training, wildlife rehab and rescue. Send your pet-related questions to her at [email protected].