Ask the Trainer: How to stop excited peeing

How to stop excited peeing?

This question comes from an owner who I can empathise with. There is a phrase in our home "don't touch her she leaks'' and the key to managing this behaviour lays in managing your own and that of you guests.

This release is often uncontrollable for our dogs and is due to pure delight and excitement that you have returned home.

The easiest way to prevent the occurrence of "happy sprinkles'' is ensuring you make no fuss at all over your dog when you first return home or someone comes to visit. By making no eye contact or speaking to your dog for a few minutes when you enter the house you allow them to settle and have control over their excitement level.

Once your dog has finished the usual ritual of delight and has gone from the high energy state you are first greeted with to a calm dog with four feet firmly planted on the ground you are ready to say hello to each other.

The easiest way to implement this new routine into your home is to break your own habits. Instead of rushing in the door with arms wide open, let's be honest we miss our companions just as much as they miss us while we are out, take time to put away your shopping, prepare your cup of coffee or simply breath after a hard day for a few minutes.

Your dog will not suffer from being ignored and the more often you stick to the routine the more relaxed your dog will become and the safer the carpet will be.

When you have guest arrive ensure that they also follow the no eye contact, no touch rule. Wait until your dog has calmed down and is accepting their presence in your home rather than giving attention seeking behaviour.

It is only then that you can confidently introduce your dog and save yourself the embarrassment of "happy sprinkles'' on your guest shoes or even worse the uncovered foot during jandal season.

Trying to correct this behaviour with words or time out will only confuse your dog. Attention is attention for our dogs and they will happily take positive or negative reinforcement.

Contact me for the chance to have your question selected for publication at nadines@dogguru.co.nz for further information on Dog Guru visit www.dogguru.co.nz

Paw point of the week

If you have on-going concerns about uncontrollable bladders please seek advice from your Veterinarian as many girls who have had puppies can develop urinary tract leaking which can be helped and kidney function may also contribute to this behaviour being an actual medical issue for our senior dogs.