How to Stop a Dog From Urinating on Outdoor Furniture

Here's how to address the objectionable habit of some dogs that urinate on outdoor furniture.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray repellent
• Treats

1. Go for the simplest solution: Buy a spray repellent that keeps the dog away from the furniture, garbage cans and other areas you want to protect. A dog's strongest sense is the sense of smell. If something smells benign or good, the dog will go for it. If it smells bad, he will stay away.

2. Address the stray animal problem. Stray animals are attracted to areas where urine or feces have been deposited. Feces must be removed and urine flushed away with water. Use a repellent to mask the residual odors and break the stray animal's habit of soiling a particular area.

3. Train your dog to eliminate on command, especially if you must walk him on a leash. Take your dog to the same spot each time. As your dog begins to urinate, choose a word and say it over and over as the behavior is occurring. Do this each time your dog urinates. After several weeks of hearing the command as he urinates, it will eventually act as a trigger of the behavior.

4. Reward the dog when he eliminates on command. When he has eliminated, take him for a walk as a reward or give him a treat. If your dog fails to eliminate in 5 minutes, take him inside and crate him for 30 minutes or so, then try again.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to place the outdoor furniture off the grass; this might eliminate or alleviate the problem.
• Being creatures of habit, dogs will return to their usual spot whenever it is convenient.
• A behavior is likely to be repeated if it is positively reinforced. Use food treats and praise to reinforce elimination at the proper time, in the proper place.