53. Pee off target - clicker training to correct his problem?

Tuesday Sep 18, 2007
NLB 6.34 pm
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, www.toapayohvets.


A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT that is encountered during toilet-training by Singapore pet owners during my case studies:

The puppy steps onto newspapers or pee tray. He pees outside the edges.
Why? How to solve this problem?


Why?
1. Most likely reason. Owner does not change soiled papers frequently. Puppy dislikes being dirty. Puts 2 front legs at clean part of paper. So the back half of the body is outside the papers. Eliminate at outside as hind legs are out of the paper.

2. Peeing liquid sprayed in centre of paper. Puppy smells it, but its body is longer. So back legs are outside the paper.

3. "Wants attention". Owner makes a lot of fuss. Puppy wants attention. Does deliberately.

How to solve this problem?
1. Clicker training. I doubt Singaporean puppy owners have time for such training.
Put pee tray/newspapers between owner and puppy.
Puppy steps onto tray with front feet.
Click. Food treats given to puppy at tray level.
Repeat 4x/day at 5 min duration to train. Not >15 min.

Now, puppy goes inside tray with back legs (front legs may be outside tray now).
Click. Food treats given to puppy at tray level and so on.

Puppy wakes up or after meals. Goes to tray with back legs inside.
Puppy eliminates.
Click. Food treats given to puppy at tray level and so on.

2. I think the simplest method is provide clean tray or newspapers.
Neutralise urine smell outside tray area with vinegar:water 1:3.
Say firmly "Pee here", praise and food treat on success.
Remove soiled papers/clean tray.

3. Urine-marking of male dogs is a separate problem as urine is sprayed onto vertical surfaces like legs of tables or walls! May happen as early as 5 months of age. Neuter early at 6 months of age and not at 3 years of age as habit may be established.