Older Dog Housetraining When There Are Psychological Issues

Posted by Puppy Trainer on February 11th, 2010 filed in Dogs

There can be cases where there is a breakdown and regression of older dog housetraining habits that may start as psychological and eventually end up being a medical issue. An example of this would be the dog that suddenly forgets his housebreaking and urinates out of jealousy and spite.

Your dog housetraining at this stage almost feels wasted and forgotten. A dog of this kind may actually get a psychosamatic urinary tract infection which will provide him with reason to relieve himself anywhere he wishes. This very condition can be the result of something else coming into the household like a new cat, bird, baby, or anything that is getting attention from you. Verbal punishment in such cases will only perpetuate the problem.

Seeking Attention

The dog is getting the attention he wants and as long as the increased attention is coming, even in the form of shame or punishment, the dog will continue to do what is resulting in that attention. Competition can cause a breakdown in toilet habits without the problem evolving into a psychosomatic urinary tract infection. The dog owner should understand that competition alone could cause of the problem and as such when there is competition, the dog wets.

The competition can be real or imagined and a thorough examination into any recent changes in the household routine would be in order. Something may be giving the dog a feeling that its position, or your affection for it is in jeopardy. Whether or not it is true or imagined, to the dog it is real. If the problem is the result of competitiveness, you can increase quality time with your dog, possibly even being overly affectionate, and this may work in reversing the motive that results in bad deeds. Spend time with your dog and do a little dog house training.

Continual Bad Dog Behavior

Then there is the sort of dog who indulges in the type of wetting where he lifts his leg against everything, bedding, curtains and furniture and finds it necessary to try and own or control its environment by wetting on it. This particular dog can be described as selfish and narcissistic and will wet anything around as a way to stake a claim on territory. This is a dog that needs a master in all the purest and literal sense of the word.

That type of dog realizes that it is the leader of the pack, although he really doesn’t want to be. This kind of dog may be insecure and requires confident and strong leadership. This behavior occurs or comes about when relaxed and easy going dog owners who baby and spoil their dogs, and the relativity of love and discipline is more balanced toward love.

Your old friend may just need a little love and kindness and this makes for great dog housetraining.