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house training problems

leo

My 1 year old Boston Terrier had been doing very well with his housetraining. He would stand by the back door whenever he needed to go potty. He hadn't had an accident in months. But in the last 2 weeks his household etiquette has started to slip. He's had a few accidents in the house, tonight he even peed on the sofa. How can I stop this slide in behavior? What could be causing it? Thanks for your help?

• Veteran Advisor David says:

  November 28th, 2007 at 04:02 AM

  The first thing that springs to mind is to ask whether his environment has changed at all in the last 2 weeks? New furniture, new people and things no longer present change the dynamic in a dogs environment. Has anything in the yard changed (weather, new plants or animals) that may put him off peeing whilst out side? Have you changed your technique? Because he has been doing so well, have you relaxed how strict you are with your house training?

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  Every day I see pets come into my clinic injured and unwell. Its always so upsetting knowing that treatment could be taken a lot further only if the owner had taken out pet insurance. You have health insurance, so should your pet... Dr Brooks

  

• jeanne says:

  November 28th, 2007 at 09:27 AM

  I can't think of any changes to the backyard environment lately. It has gotten a little colder, but we live in California, so how cold could it be? I probably have relaxed the house training a little. I used to take him outside every 4 hours or so, but in the last month or two I've been waiting for him to let me know when he needs to pee. It that not right?

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• Veteran Advisor David says:

  November 28th, 2007 at 05:09 PM

  I think he now associates urinating with you taking him outside. If you are not taking him outside every four hours then he will be forced to pee elsewhere in your presence. Dogs learn by association. It may be best to change the pattern by having the door open or you just open the door for him and he goes about his business by himself outside so that he doesnt so closely relate going to the bathroom with you in his presence. For places that he regularly pees on in the house I would suggest squeezing an orange peel over that area to discourage him. Dogs dont like citrus smells.

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  Every Pet Should Have Pet Insurance

  Every day I see pets come into my clinic injured and unwell. Its always so upsetting knowing that treatment could be taken a lot further only if the owner had taken out pet insurance. You have health insurance, so should your pet... Dr Brooks