Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 10/29/2006

Question
Hi there-
Our dog is a 9 year old mixed breed terrier who's never given us a minute's problem til now. Due to a divorce, she's gone from living with 2 people who were home all day and a companion dog to being home alone all day. She's become whiny and depressed (no wonder!) and has taken to peeing in the house. This has gone on for 3 months. Please help!

Answer
Dear elad,
Thanks for the question. Anytime there is a major change in schedule, housing or house members, our dogs can be affected, but in general they are very adaptable to change. That's one reason they (domestic dogs) have wedged themselves into our lives. They are very adaptable!

You didn't mention any particulars about "whiny and depressed" so I'm not sure exactly what your girl (I'll call her Lucy) is doing, when she's doing it, what you have tried to help her and what were the results.

First, I would not be too quick to attribute all Lucy's new behaviors to the situation at hand. That being said, take her to the vet and see if there are any medical reasons for inside elimination and/or lethargic behavior. At the very least, have Lucy's thyroid checked and get them to perform a urinalysis.  

Start a training program. It doesn't have to be strictly obedience training, trick training might be your preference. The idea is to get Lucy involved in something new and fun to stimulate her mind and her body. At the very least, increase her exercise.

Is she eating well? Make sure you are feeding a quality diet, one that does not contain any corn products or by-products. Check the first four ingredients on the label. In addition, she should be eating a "senior" food.

Separation anxiety has four major signals and they occur only in the absence of the people - inside elimination  destructive behaviors directed at entry and exit points, salivation, and excessive vocalization. The behaviors occur within 5-25 minutes of the people's departures.

Just because she is eliminating inside does not mean she has separation anxiety. Does she only eliminate inside when you are gone or will she go inside when someone is home?

Are the accidents "full-fledged" or is she "spritzing" just a bit here and there?

Will she readily go outside and eliminate and will she eliminate outside in the presence of her people?

Please do not correct or punish her for accidents. That only teaches her that it is not wise to eliminate near her people, it doesn't teach her about choosing the outside or choosing the inside.

The fact that it has gone on for three months is not good. The behavior is very strong and resistant to extinction. From now on, never give her the opportunity to eliminate inside. Use a crate or baby gates to confine her to one area  when you are gone. Supervise her when you are home.

Use and enzyme based cleanser to "purify" the areas she has been using. The label on the cleanser should state something like "eliminates pet odors". Unless you can thoroughly clean the areas, it will be very difficult to succeed. Get a black light to shine on the floor at night. You'll see all the spots she has been using and will know where to clean.

Visit my web site and download the House Training Guide. IT's free and has other tips for house training success. It may be that you need to re-train her.

Please get the vet to check her immediately. It's impossible to succeed if she has an infection.

Happy Training!
AT