Dog Spraying: When & How Not to Punish Your Pooch

More and more pet owners are no longer insisting on outdoor elimination for their pets, and they're also letting go of the expectation for their dogs to hold their bladder. There are, however, certain instances of urination that you should never scold or punish your dog for. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Submissive Urination

When a dog sees its owner returning home, it might excitedly rush over to greet them, wagging its tail with such enthusiasm that it might even urinate involuntarily, as if it had a urinary incontinence. This behavior, which often occurs when dogs reunite after a period apart, is commonly referred to as "submissive urination." It's typically a sign of a young dog showing submission to a higherranking individual. Even if your dog has already learned to eliminate in a designated area, it may still dribble a few drops at your feet in such situations. Adult dogs can also experience this, often as a sign of anxiety. Dogs that haven't been adequately socialized or have suffered abuse are more prone to this issue. To address this, work on building your dog's confidence, or avoid greeting them with immediate affection upon their return to keep them from getting too excited.

2. Holding In Too Long

Don't overemphasize outdoor elimination, as longterm bladder holding can be harmful to your dog's health.

If your dog has developed a habit of eliminating outdoors but can't hold it due to rain or other unforeseen circumstances, please don't scold them. This also applies to cases where a dog drinks too much water or has polyuria (excessive urination).

3. Urination During Heat

Dogs in heat may feel an urgent physiological need to urinate and leave messages to attract potential mates. If you haven't addressed this by spaying or neutering your pet, don't be upset if they urinate inappropriately. Just clean up the mess and move on.

4. Being Scared and Urinating

Just like humans, dogs can be frightened and urinate out of fear. This can happen due to loud noises like fireworks, movie sound effects, or even the sudden appearance of a dominant cat in the house. When your dog is startled and urinates, instead of scolding them, I recommend taking a photo to capture this embarrassing moment and then quickly comfort your furry friend.

5. Diarrhea and Loose Stools

While inappropriate defecation is less common than inappropriate urination, diarrhea can be caused by inappropriate feeding, stealing food, or other factors. The responsibility for this lies with the owner.

6. Senior Dogs

Older dogs may forget their potty training or may have difficulty controlling their bladder due to aging and weakened sphincter muscles. As the caregiver, please comfort your senior dog and take good care of them in their twilight years.

7. Urological Diseases

There are also health issues related to the urinary tract that can cause inappropriate urination. These include urinary tract infections, incontinence, bladder dysfunction due to damaged nerves or spinal cord (from injuries, tumors), urinary tract stones, kidney diseases, diabetes, diabetes insipidus, hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, and psychological polydipsia, among others. In such cases, it's important to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis, which may include urine tests (urine specific gravity and glucose), to determine if there is an underlying condition and to receive appropriate treatment.

It's important to remember that these instances of inappropriate urination are not the dog's deliberate choice to urinate inappropriately or their refusal to follow rules. Please don't overreact to their urination. In the end, a little extra odor control spray and thorough cleaning will do the trick. Approach this issue with a positive and宽容 attitude!