Don’t restrict water as a form of housetraining

Dear Cathy: Three or four years ago, I adopted my dog Silo from a girl who told me to restrict his water because he would urinate when

I go out. She said he has separation anxiety. So, I’ve been careful with the water and let him out right before I leave the house.

That worked for a while, but as time went on, he began urinating more. I don’t work but run errands often. Now every time I leave the house, no matter how long, he has “accidents.” I have tried putting a diaper on him, but he manages to get it off. I am at my wit’s end. Can you help me? I think he is being spiteful. — Carolyn, Linden, N.J.

Dear Carolyn: Dogs aren’t spiteful. If there are no health problems, then Silo is urinating because he may be a little stressed, and urination can sometimes relieve stressful feelings. Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe something to reduce his anxiety.

In the meantime, please don’t restrict his water since that can lead to dehydration and other health problems. He should have free access to water during the day.

Second, retrain Silo. Pretend he is a puppy and take him outside to relieve himself after he wakes up, eats and plays. When he does pee, say “Go potty,” and then say, “Good boy,” or some other reward word like “bingo,” to let him know you approve. Give him a treat. Then take him in the house, wait a few minutes, and take him back outside. Tell him to “go potty” again. As he learns what those words mean (and it could take a few weeks), he will learn better to pee on command, enabling you to instruct him to “go potty” several times before coming back into the house.

Next, if your errands are short, put him in his kennel while you are gone during this retraining period. Dogs don’t generally pee in their kennels. As soon as you get home, take him outside to relieve himself and repeat the above training until he stops urinating in the home. Always try to anticipate his triggers for urinating and get him outside before he does. Over time, he will learn what behavior earns him a treat.