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I have a 1-2 year old Australian Cattle Dog. She is lets us

Sent to Dog Experts November 24 2008 at 12:14 AM
   

I have a 1-2 year old Australian Cattle Dog. She is lets us know when she wants to go outside and does not have accidents in the house at night. We kennel/crate her when we leave the house and no matter the length of time, she pees in her kennel. I have had a urine sample tested with my vet. How do I get her to stop peeing in her kennel?

 

Optional Information:
Age: 1; Female; Breed: Australian Cattle Dog

Already Tried:
I have cleaned the kennel with baking soda and white vinegar. We have sprayed "NO GO" on the surface. We cut her water first thing in the morning and let her out several times before we leave. She has had blankets in her kennel and shreds them. I have given her toys to play with and we leave a light and stereo on when we are gone. When we left her out while we were gone, she chewed on things and that is why we kenneled her.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 24 2008 at 12:40 AM (26 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
Hi Knshill,
If her urine test showed no infection or abnormality, then it probably has become a bad habit with her, and now that she is in the habit, it will be hard to break. Is there any bedding in her kennel? For a lot of dogs, urination is stimulated by "substrate", in other words, if she has become used to urinating on a particular surface like a blanket or a towel or a bed or whatever is in her kennel, the presence of that surface stimulates her to go. It can become almost like a knee jerk reaction; it happens almost automatically. So, if there is something in the kennel she is going on and you can remove it, that might help, even if it means her being on the hard plastic surface of the kennel.

   If that doesn't work, then you need to retrain her. Start by putting her in her kennel for even just a few seconds, and then letting her out and rewarding her. It will become like a game; go into the kennel, sit there for a minute, and if you don't urinate, come out and get a treat. Gradually work up to two minutes, three, five, ten, thirty minutes. The first time she urinates in the crate, then back off the time, and gradually work up again. I know behavior modification is time consuming, but it is the best way to train or retrain an unwanted behavior. You don't have to spend hours a day, but you should try to play "the game" for a little bit, twice a day. I think once you can get her up to 30 to 60 minutes, she may get the idea. Hope just removing her bedding does the trick, though. Good luck, Rebecca


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November 24 2008 at 12:44 AM (3 minutes and 57 seconds later)
         

There is nothing but a toy in her kennel because she kepy urinating on her blanket we had in there. I am very willing to try your suggestion of putting her in and taking her out. However, I have to put her in her kennel while I am at work. What do I do about the urination while I am at work? Just ignore it and continue to take her out immediately when I get home and then "play the game" through the evening?

Answer
November 24 2008 at 12:54 AM (10 minutes later)
         
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I would "play the game" as much as you can fit into your schedule. Maybe getting a new crate would help, if it is made of a different material. I wish I could give you a miracle answer to keep her from doing this tomorrow while you are at work, but behaviour problems are best treated by behavior modification.

Does she seem anxious at all about your crating her? If so, some anti-anxiety medication might help, along with the behavior modification. How does she act when you come home? It is very important that you not make a fuss about there being urine in the crate, because that would contribute to her anxiety.   She might be urinating just before or just as you come home because she is nervous about your being upset with her when you get home. As frustrating as finding urine in the crate every day must be, you have to act overjoyed to see her when you get home, and seemingly not care one whit that there is urine in the crate.

What about confining her to a small room in the house while you are gone, if she is OK in the house overnight? Or has this already been tried? Rebecca


There is no substitute for a physical examination by a veterinarian. Please hit the Accept button if I helped you, so that I am compensated by the website.
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November 24 2008 at 12:58 AM (4 minutes and 4 seconds later)
         

She doesn't seem to mind her crate. She would prefer to be out and with people but she goes in without a fuss. We tried putting her in a room, but she jumped at the door and scratched the door, wall and baseboard. She also chewed on things in the room. She is definitely a people dog!

 

I appreciate all of your suggestions. I am at my wit's end and my husband who has never had a dog is ready to get rid of her!

Answer
November 24 2008 at 2:24 AM (1 hour and 25 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
If all else fails, talk to your veterinarian about putting her on anti-anxiety medication like clomipramine. Good luck; these herding dogs are responsive to training, but high maintenance (I know; I have one). Lots of exercise helps, too. The basic rule of dog training; A tired dog is a good dog. Good luck, Rebecca


There is no substitute for a physical examination by a veterinarian. Please hit the Accept button if I helped you, so that I am compensated by the website.
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