K9 Incontinence
The two main signs that your dog is becoming incontinent are that it wets its bed and that it continually licks the genial area. Your veterinarian can treat most causes of incontinence. Other causes of a dog urinating in inappropriate places usually relate to discipline and training.
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Causes
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A poodle is on its way to the veterinarian. The most common reason for true incontinence is a lack of hormones, which causes poor muscular control. Veterinarians commonly prescribe pseudoephedrine with good results. Other reasons include birth defects, weak muscles, blockage, infections, drugs such as prednisone, diabetes, kidney failure and neurological disorders.
What To Do
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A dalmatian check its spot. Collect a urine sample and take it to your veterinarian. He will conduct a physical exam, but may have to do further tests to help diagnose the problem. That could include blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound or a dye contrast study.
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Training
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Let your dog out frequently and on a routine. Give it a command such as "go now" and pat, praise and be silly with your dog immediately when it finishes so that it makes the positive association between urinating outside and your praise. Only scold a dog caught in the act of urinating in the house, never when you find that your dog has urinated somewhere while your were out.
Meeting People
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If your dog urinates when meeting new people or certain people, take it outside to greet these people. Ignore the behavior, and eventually it should go away.
Senility and Old Age
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Old dogs can have urine retention problems. When your dog gets older and senility creeps in, the animal might forget it is time to go outside. Consider using diapers. At this point, your dog might not get around well, either, so confining it to the kitchen or a room where you can put down newspapers and easily clean up messes may be a solution.
Territorial Issues
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Sometimes dogs, like children, need diapers. Two or more dogs in a house may be in a urinating war. Dogs may also urinate on smelly areas they wish to dominate. Clean the area as best you can. Enzyme treatments are nontoxic and effective with multiple treatments.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com dog image by apeschi from Fotolia.com dog image by .shock from Fotolia.com abandonned dog image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com child with dog image by Miguel Montero from Fotolia.com
