Pet care: Smart puppy makes bathroom errors – juvenile delinquent?

Q: My 4-month-old blue heeler puppy is crate-trained perfectly. He always pees and poops when he’s outside. Then he comes inside and pees on the floor every 20 or 30 minutes. He eats fine and doesn’t drink excessively, but it’s as if he’s doing it on purpose. He’s completed obedience class with flying colors. I lived in New Mexico for years and am now in Louisiana, but I remember your on-point answers.

Dr. Nichol: Aw shucks. Your adolescent heeler’s brain is the most complex organ in his body. He’s very good at learning obedience skills, but there are different neural pathways upstairs that are involved with behavior problems. The real cause of all this mayhem may actually reside in a different organ system.

This little guy’s need to urinate every 20 to 30 minutes suggests a bladder problem. Some male puppies have a sticky yellow discharge, teaming with bacteria, accumulating on the hair of their penis. An ensuing infection of the urethra and bladder would cause a burning sensation, making the kid feel like he has to go often. Adding insult to injury, bladder stones can form quickly, worsening the irritation. No amount of training would heal a bladder that feels like it’s on fire.

Take that youngster to the doctor for a blood panel, urinalysis and X-rays or ultrasound of his abdomen. Antibiotics and a special diet may be all that’s needed to put this right. Only after internal health is established should lapses in bathroom etiquette be addressed.

Never punish or scold your puppy, even if he appears guilty; he isn’t breaking the rules on purpose. Most offenders are just confused about where the bathroom is. Tether that juvenile to your belt and lead him outside every two hours for the chance to earn the innate canine reinforcer of a brief jaunt off-territory. Crate your A student with food-dispensing toys when you’re asleep or away from home. There’s a lot more to this research-based protocol.

Visit my website, drjeffnichol.com, click Pet Behavior Topics and then One Day Housetraining. Reinforce often; punish never.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference a drjeffnichol.com

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