Understanding Why House-Trained Dogs Have Accidents
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Medical Issues
One of the most common reasons for sudden accidents in house-trained dogs is medical problems. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, diabetes, kidney disease, and other health conditions can lead to increased urination. In some cases, dogs may also suffer from gastrointestinal issues that result in unexpected defecation.
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Changes in Routine
Dogs are creatures of habit. A significant change in routine, like a new work schedule for the owner or a move to a new home, can disorient a dog and disrupt their regular bathroom schedule.
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Aging and Cognitive Decline
Just as humans can experience age-related cognitive decline, dogs can develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (similar to Alzheimer’s in humans). This can lead to confusion and accidents indoors.
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Emotional Disturbances
Stress, anxiety, and fear can cause a house-trained dog to have accidents. Events like thunderstorms, fireworks, or a new addition to the family (a baby or another pet) can trigger such behavior.
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Marking Behavior
Even spayed or neutered dogs might mark in specific situations, especially if they feel their territory is threatened. This is different from a full bladder release and usually involves small amounts of urine.
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Incomplete House Training
Some dogs might appear house-trained but might not have fully internalized the training. They could be accident-free for long durations but still have an occasional accident.
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Dietary Changes or Indiscretions
A sudden change in diet or consuming something unsuitable can lead to gastrointestinal upset, resulting in accidents.
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Reduced Access
If a dog doesn’t have timely access to their usual potty spots, they might be forced to relieve themselves indoors.
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Physical Mobility Issues
Older dogs or those with physical ailments might find it challenging to hold their bladder or get to their potty spot in time.
Signs Of Your Dog’s Indoor Accidents
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Puddles or Wet Spots:
The most apparent sign is discovering unexplained wet areas on the floor, especially in spots where your dog frequents.
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Distinctive Odor:
The smell of urine or feces in the home, particularly in areas where it shouldn’t be, can indicate an accident has occurred.
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Stains:
Discovering stains, particularly those with a yellowish hue on carpets, rugs, or furniture is another telltale sign.
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Dog’s Behavior:
If your dog suddenly appears apprehensive, avoids eye contact, or becomes unusually submissive after being in a specific room, they might be displaying guilt or unease from having had an accident.
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Evidence of Feces:
Spotting fecal matter in any part of the home clearly suggests an accident.
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Attempt to Cover Up
Some dogs, drawing from their instincts, might attempt to bury or cover their mess by scraping or pawing at the floor or rug.
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Lingering
If a dog seems to be revisiting or sniffing around a particular area frequently, it might be the site of a recent accident.
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Signs of Cleaning:
A wet or damp area on the carpet or rug without an apparent spill source can indicate a spot where an accident occurred, and an attempt to clean it up was made.
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Sounds of Distress:
If you hear your dog whimpering or showing signs of distress, especially near closed doors or barriers, they might be signaling that they need to go out but can’t.
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Chewing or Destroyed Materials
Sometimes, after an accident, a dog might try to chew or destroy the soiled material, whether it’s a rug, paper, or some other absorbent material.
Do’s and Don’ts for Handling Your Dog’s Accidents
Do’s
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Do take your dog to the vet:
If your dog has started having accidents out of the blue, the first step should be a visit to the vet. A physical ailment could be causing your dog’s accidents, and it’s best to rule this out first.
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Do stick to a routine:
Dogs thrive on routines. Keep consistent feeding times, and make sure you’re providing regular opportunities for your dog to relieve themselves outdoors.
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Do use positive reinforcement:
Reward your dog for doing the right thing. When they relieve themselves outside, praise them and offer a treat. This helps reinforce the correct behavior.
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Do clean up thoroughly:
Use an enzymatic cleaner to clean up accidents. These cleaners break down the proteins in urine, eliminating the scent and reducing the chance your dog will be drawn to the same spot for future accidents.
Don’ts
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Don’t punish your dog:
If you find an accident but didn’t catch your dog in the act, don’t punish them. Dogs don’t understand punishment after the fact, and it can create fear and anxiety, which might make the problem worse.
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Don’t change food suddenly:
A sudden change in diet can upset your dog’s stomach and cause accidents. If you need to change their food, do it gradually over a week or two.
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Don’t ignore the problem:
If your dog is having repeated accidents, it’s not something to ignore. Beyond the inconvenience, it could be a sign of a serious health issue or stress.
Recommended Products for Managing Indoor Accidents By Your Pets
Key Features
| Cordless design provides easy maneuverability and flexibility. | |
| Uses professional pet urine eliminator with oxy formula. | |
| Comes with a built-in rechargeable battery. | |
| Suitable for use on a wide range of surfaces including upholstery, rugs, and carpets. | |
| Has a Ready-to-use formula, no need for mixing with water. | |
| Easy to clean design with removable water tanks. |
Pros
| The cordless design allows you to clean messes anywhere in your home. | |
| Its oxy formula effectively eliminates stains and odors. | |
| It’s very portable and can be used on a variety of surfaces. | |
| The design is user-friendly and easy to clean. |
Cons
| The battery life could be improved for larger cleaning tasks. | |
| Some users may find the cleaning solution a bit expensive. | |
| The tank capacity is relatively small, requiring frequent refills for larger areas. | |
| It might not be as effective on older or more stubborn stains. |
Key Features
| Uses enzymatic bacteria to eliminate stains and odors. | |
| Can be used on a variety of surfaces including carpets, hard floors, furniture, and clothing. | |
| Safe to use around children and pets as it is non-toxic. | |
| Effective on old, dried stains as well as fresh ones. | |
| The spray bottle design allows for easy application. | |
| It is certified gentle and safe on carpets. |
Pros
| The enzymatic formula is highly effective at removing stains and odors. | |
| It’s safe to use on a variety of surfaces. | |
| It is safe for use around pets and children. | |
| It can deal with older stains as well as new ones. |
Cons
| The scent may be strong or unpleasant for some users. | |
| Might require multiple applications for stubborn stains. | |
| It’s more expensive than some other pet stain removers. | |
| The spray bottle may not be as efficient for larger stains. |
Key Features
| Utilizes bio-enzymatic formula to remove stains and odors. | |
| Can be used on any water-safe surface. | |
| Works on old and new stains | |
| The product comes in a convenient trigger spray bottle. | |
| Light fresh scent leaves the area smelling clean. | |
| It can help discourage re-soiling by removing the odor entirely. |
Pros
| The enzyme formula effectively breaks down stains and odors. | |
| It can be used on a wide variety of surfaces. | |
| The light scent leaves the area smelling clean and fresh. | |
| Can help to discourage pets from re-soiling the same area. |
Cons
| The scent may not be pleasing to all users. | |
| It might require a few applications to completely remove tougher stains. | |
| The trigger sprayer may not be the most efficient for larger stains. | |
| Some users have reported the formula changing the color of their carpet. |
Key Features
| Utilizes Pro-Bacteria and enzyme formula to combat stains and odors. | |
| Comes with a unique sprayer for targeted or wide-angle use. | |
| It can be used on carpets, upholstery, bedding, fabric toys, and clothing. | |
| Effective on urine, feces, and vomit stains. | |
| The product has a refreshing spring breeze scent. | |
| Safe to use around pets and children when used as directed. |
Pros
| The enzymatic formula is very effective for tough stains and odors. | |
| It’s safe for use on various surfaces and materials. | |
| The unique sprayer allows for precise or wide-angled application. | |
| The product has a pleasant, clean scent. |
Cons
| It may take a bit longer to fully dry compared to some other products. | |
| The scent, while generally pleasant, may be too strong for some people. | |
| Might require multiple applications for older or more stubborn stains. | |
| The formula may not be as effective on certain types of fabrics. |
Key Features
| Uses a potent, non-toxic, and biodegradable formula derived from orange peels. | |
| The product can be used on a variety of surfaces. | |
| It is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. | |
| The concentrated formula can make up to a gallon of solution. | |
| The product offers a pleasant, fresh orange scent. | |
| Safe to use around pets and children when used as directed. |
Pros
| The non-toxic formula effectively removes odors. | |
| The product has a pleasant, natural citrus scent. | |
| The concentrated solution offers good value for the money. | |
| Can be used on a wide range of surfaces, indoors or outdoors. |
Cons
| The product is primarily an odor eliminator and may not be as effective at stain removal. | |
| The scent, while pleasant, can be strong and may not be to everyone’s liking. | |
| Mixing the concentrated solution may be inconvenient for some users. | |
| The product might not be effective against deep, set-in odors. |
Key Features
| Uses Pro-Bacteria and enzyme formula to combat stains and odors. | |
| It can be used on carpets, upholstery, and other water-safe surfaces. | |
| Safe around pets and children when used as directed. | |
| Works on a wide variety of pet stains and odors. | |
| The product comes in a large 32 oz. size for ample use. | |
| Has a pleasant scent that leaves the area smelling fresh. |
Pros
| The enzymatic formula is effective at removing stains and odors. | |
| It’s safe for use on a variety of surfaces. | |
| The product is easy to use with a simple spray and blot technique. | |
| Large size provides good value for the price. |
Cons
| The scent may not be to everyone’s liking. | |
| Might require multiple applications for tougher stains. | |
| The formula might not be as effective on old, dried stains. | |
| Some users may find the spray bottle a bit difficult to use. |
Key Features
| Automatic rake system sweeps waste into a covered compartment. | |
| Uses crystal litter that absorbs urine and dehydrates solids. | |
| Low-tracking crystals help keep floors clean. | |
| Provides weeks of hands-off cleaning. | |
| The product includes a health counter to track your pet’s usage. | |
| The disposable litter tray is leak-proof and easy to clean. |
Pros
| The self-cleaning system allows for hands-off maintenance. | |
| Crystal litter provides excellent odor control. | |
| The health counter feature can be useful for tracking your pet’s health. | |
| The disposable litter trays are easy to clean and replace. |
Cons
| Primarily designed for cats, may not be suitable for larger dogs. | |
| Some pets may not adapt to using the litter box. | |
| The initial cost of the litter box and ongoing cost of crystal litter can be high. | |
| The motor can be noisy which might disturb some pets. |
Key Features
| Bio-enzymatic cleaner that breaks down organic matter. | |
| Uses a natural blend of botanical ingredients. | |
| Can be used on a variety of surfaces, including carpets, furniture, and fabrics. | |
| Non-toxic and safe for use around children and pets. | |
| It leaves behind a fresh, clean scent after use. | |
| It is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cruelty-free. |
Pros
| The bio-enzymatic cleaner is very effective for pet accidents. | |
| It’s safe for use on a wide range of surfaces | |
| The natural ingredients make it safe for kids, pets, and the environment. | |
| Leaves a fresh, clean scent after use. |
Cons
| The scent may not be appealing to all users. | |
| It may not be as effective on older or dried stains. | |
| Some users may find the bottle’s spray mechanism challenging to use. | |
| Higher price point compared to some other pet stain and odor removers. |
