So Your Dog Had an Accident in The House, What Do You Do Now?
Sometimes even well-trained dogs have accidents. It’s up to you to handle the situation correctly by getting to the root cause and cleaning the mess before it’s a real problem. Here are the steps to handle it correctly so you can prevent repeat behavior and take of the mess and smell.
- Catch him in the act? If you are lucky enough to catch your furry friend in the act of “going” inside, you should use it as a learning opportunity for your pup. You don’t need to punish him – that will only lead to sneakier behavior next time. Instead, say “Whoops, outside,” while quickly taking the dog outside to where he normally relieves himself.
- Quick damage control! For the sake of home health, immediately start blotting up the urine (or whatever it might be) from the floor or carpet. You might be tempted to use a hair dryer or heater to dry out the spot, but we suggest avoiding it. It will likely result in the stain and odor setting in.
- Cleaning the deeper problem. Even when you have cleaned up the surface stain, the urine can still damage the padding and subfloor. The best way to deal with pet urine on your carpets is to hire a professional carpet cleaner who specializes in pet accidents to make sure the smell and stain are completely removed.
- Determining the cause. Be sure to turn back to your pup and figure out why he had an accident. Often, there is a legitimate reason, which can include:
- 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 changes gradually, over the course of a few weeks.
- Home renovations. Changing your dog’s environment can be stressful, particularly if strange construction workers are going in and out of the house all the time. A new carpet may also smell different to some 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 dogs fully house-trained before they are at least a year old. When you’re dealing with a new puppy, accidents will likely be 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 praise him when he urinates in a properly designated spot, then reward him 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.
If you need help removing urine from your carpets or upholstery, call Delta Chem-Dry for pet urine removal in Manhattan Beach and the surrounding areas!