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Don’t be surprised if you discover that one of the dogs is
peeing in the house. You probably can’t be sure which dog it is, or even if it
is only one of them—although the most likely occurrence is that the new dog is
having trouble adjusting to her new environment. In all likelihood, a break in
house-training is only going to be a temporary problem.
♦ If Either Dog Has an Accident in the House,
Don’t Make a Big Deal of It.
In fact, don’t show any reaction at all if you find urine
anywhere in the house, or even a “bigger” accident. Under the pressure and
excitement of the new arrangement, accidents can happen to either dog.
However, if either dog starts urine-marking in the house, you
have a more complicated territorial issue that is probably best handled by a
professional. In the first day or two you may not be able to distinguish
between an accident and purposeful urine-marking. However, since the
anxious/confused accidents usually stop after the first day or two, it will be
clear if urine is reappearing in one location, or there are signs of several
wet spots after that.
You might consider contacting a dog trainer/behaviorist as
soon as you become aware that this is a urine-marking problem, because you want
to stop it before it becomes a habit that is much harder to break.
♦ Clean Up the Urine with an Enzymatic
Cleaner.
You should have on hand any of the liquid products—such as
Simple Solution or Nature’s Miracle—that clean bodily fluids and are marketed
for house-pet accidents. These products neutralize the urine (or feces, blood
or vomit), rather than simply cleaning superficially. Do not use any product
containing ammonia, since it smells like urine.
♦ The New Dog Needs Time to Get Used to Her New
Surroundings.
Your resident dog takes your lifestyle in stride and
anticipates what is going to happen, but keep in mind that the routines and
schedule of your house are mysteries to the new dog. Because she will be
disoriented as she tries to figure them out, give her more chances to relieve
herself outdoors, either by taking her out or making sure she knows how and
where to exit on her own, if there is an open door or a dog door.
Copyright © Tracie Hotchner – Originally appeared in The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know by Tracie Hotchner
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