Step-by-Step
Even the best dogs sometimes have accidents in the house. Here are the steps to handle it correctly so you can prevent repeat behavior and remove the mess and smell.
1 – Catching your dog in the act. If you are lucky enough to catch your furry friend in the act of “going” inside, use it as a teaching opportunity for your pup. Be sure not to punish the dog, as this will only encourage them to be sneakier next time to avoid punishment. Instead, say something like “Whoops, outside,” while quickly taking the dog outside to where he should normally relieve himself.
2 – Immediate damage control. Then use a paper towel to blot up as much of the urine as you can from the floor or carpet. DO NOT use a hair dryer to dry any excess urine, because it will set the stain and odor. If your dog has soiled anything machine-washable such as clothing, first put it through a cold rinse cycle and then a normal wash cycle with detergent.
3 – Fixing the deeper problem. Even after the surface stain is cleaned up, urine could have seeped through to the padding and sub-floor. Avoid steam cleaning the area as the heat can set the stain and odor as well. Additionally, the water used in steam cleaning can take a long time to dry, leading to mold and mildew growth. Instead, you want to hire a professional carpet cleaner, like Temecula Valley Chem-Dry, who specializes in pet accidents to make sure the smell and dust are completely removed.
4 – Determining the root of the problem. There are a number of reasons that your dog might have had an accident, including:
- Stress. Major life changes can cause distress for your dog, leading to accidents.
- Schedule changes. If your dog is used to being taken outside to relieve himself at specific times and the schedule changes, it can take some time to adjust. If possible, make these adjustments gradually, over the course of a few weeks.
- Home renovations. Changing your dog’s environment can be stressful, particularly if construction workers are going in and out of the house constantly. A new carpet may also smell different to your dogs and cause them to mark it with their own scent.
- New medications. If you recently started giving your dog a new medication, it may trigger accidents. Check with your vet to learn about potential side effects.
- Health issues. A loss of bladder control may be a symptom of an underlying health problem. If you notice your dog’s behavior changing, be sure to check in with your vet.
Note: Training is key! You can’t really consider a dog completely house-trained before he/she is at least a year old. With a new puppy, accidents will likely be quite common. In order to house train your puppy:
- Begin by taking the dog out frequently, and then gradually increase the amount of time between trips outside.
- Go outside with your dog and give praise when he/she completes his/her business in a properly designated spot, and then reward your dog with a treat afterward.
We hope that these tips will help you when your dog has an accident. Pet urine isn’t ever fun to deal with, but it is a problem that you can address and take care of properly. Learn how Temecula Valley Chem-Dry treats pet urine stains or set an appointment online to get a high-quality carpet or upholstery cleaning.
