Canine house soiling has many potential causes, including medical conditions and behavior problems. Accurate assessment is critical, as the prognosis for control or resolution is typically good once the underlying cause is identified according to Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB. She shares information about diagnostics, behaviors, treatments and training.
Clients are often intolerant of house soiling in adult dogs. Puppy owners may arbitrarily impose a deadline for house training without seeking veterinary advice and may relinquish the puppy if expectations are not satisfied.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, February 2017. Link. Identifying the underlying medical condition or behavior issue is key to effective management. Client education about canine elimination preferences and schedules is important for successful treatment.
INSIGHTS: Note Lindell’s recommendation to discuss elimination or soiling with every exam. Teams can screen for issues with simple open ended questions such as, “Are you having any issues with your pet pooping or urinating in the house?”