Older Dog Housetraining When There Are Psychological Issues
There are some isolated older dog housetraining cases, where the cause of a breakdown in toilet habits is a psychological motivation, but results in a problem becoming medically motivated. One example might be the case where the dog seems to forget his housebreaking rules and urinates due to spite and jealously.
Your dog housetraining at this point appears to have been forgotten. A dog of this kind may actually get a psychosamatic urinary tract infection which will provide him with reason to relieve himself anywhere he wishes. Such a condition can be inspired by the arrival of another pet like a cat or a bird, a new baby, or any other attention-stealing tangible. Verbal punishment in such cases will only perpetuate the problem.
Your Dog Is Attention Seeking
The dog is getting the attention he wants and as long as the increased attention is coming, even in the form of shame or punishment, the dog will continue to do what is resulting in that attention. Competition can cause a breakdown in toilet habits without the problem evolving into a psychosomatic urinary tract infection. The owner of the dog must realize that competition can be the leading cause of the problem and it goes without saying that when there is competition, the dog will wet.
The competition may be all in his head or reality and a complete exam to find out if any current changes in the family or household may be necessary. There may be an underlying cause that makes your dog feel that his position or your affection for him is fading. Whether actual or simply imagined, it is very real to the dog. If the problem is the result of competitiveness, you can increase quality time with your dog, possibly even being overly affectionate, and this may work in reversing the motive that results in bad deeds. Make some time with your older dog and do some extra dog house training.
Bad behavior
Then there is the sort of dog who indulges in the type of wetting where he lifts his leg against everything, bedding, curtains and furniture and finds it necessary to try and own or control its environment by wetting on it. This particular dog can be described as selfish and narcissistic and will wet anything around as a way to stake a claim on territory. This would be the type of dog who has to have a master in every sense of the word.
That particular kind of dog knows it is the boss or leader of the pack, even if he is reluctant to be one. This kind of dog may be insecure and requires confident and strong leadership. These actions usually materialize as a result of easy going dog owners who spoil and baby their dog, where the ratio of love and discipline are tipped only in the direction of love.
Your old friend may just need a little love and kindness and this makes for great dog housetraining.
