The case against pet ownership
Legendary Mid-City Dog Scrim Is Still On The Loose After 2nd Drug Dart. What's Next?
Scrim, a wire-haired terrier mutt, seen during a brief dalliance with domesticity, before he became a legendary fugitive
(Photo courtesy Zoey Ponder)Biscuits and grub for free
Folks leave 'em out for me
No home, no toys to sniff
I ain't got no microchip!!
I chew ham bones that I have found
Red beans among the chick-ry grounds
Sleep on sailboats out in the rain
Great views of Lake Ponchartrain!
No tags, just matted fur
Don't come when I'm called, no sir!
I'm a dog of means by no means
Scrim of the road.
I know ever-y back yard
And ever-y ball
And all of the children
Who aren't very tall
And ever-y dog bowl
In ever-y town
Especially the bowl that's for
Miss Foxy Brown!
Biscuits and grub for free
Folks leave 'em out for me
No home, no toys to sniff
I ain't got no microchip.
I sleep on sailboats out in the rain
Great views of Lake Pontchartrain!
No tags, just matted fur
Don't come when I'm called, no sir!
I'm a dog of means
By no means
Scrim of the road.
(Sound of a dog barking twice)
Is Your Dog Peeing In The House Suddenly? Here's How To Handle It
Welcome to Pet Peeves, a monthly series that aims to provide pet care solutions and expert advice for challenging scenarios that involve your beloved animal companions.
It can be a frustrating experience if your housebroken dog is peeing in the house seemingly out of the blue. But with the exception of incomplete house-training, the cause of inappropriate urination is either behavioral or medical, and it's important to identify it quickly. While it may require some trial and error, there are steps you can take to figure out why your dog is having accidents and resolve the problem—starting with being attuned to where, when and how often this is happening.
If your dog is peeing inside the house, it's important to get to the root of the issue as soon as ... [+] possible.
Illustration: Forbes / Image: RetailersI spoke with a veterinarian and a certified dog trainer for their advice, plus I've included suggestions for helpful products I've used in my own experience with dogs; I've lived with dogs for about 10 years and volunteer with a local shelter as well. Below, you'll find tips for figuring out why your dog is peeing in the home, as well as resources, tools and tricks to help you and your pup. (And if you have a cat experiencing litter box issues, check out our advice for tackling that problem too.)
Watch Your Dog's Behavior For Any PatternsIf your dog is house-trained but you've noticed accidents in the house lately, the first step to figuring out the cause of the behavior is to observe. "Is your dog urinating or leaking in their bed, sneaking away and having accidents or even lifting their leg on furniture or the wall?" says Dr. Jessica Hockaday, a veterinarian at Chewy. "Each of these urinary behaviors can be linked to different causes, including incontinence and infection…but anxiety, communication and marking behaviors all can apply, too."
"If they urinate in the house once, it might just truly be an accident and no cause for concern," adds Darris Cooper, national dog training manager at Petco. "However, if this becomes a repeated behavior, then you should consult your veterinarian to determine whether it's related to a medical issue, such as kidney stones, or a behavioral issue linked to separation anxiety or lifestyle changes." Even small changes in your pup's environment or routine can result in stress, anxiety or regression with certain learned behaviors. These can include a change in diet or treats and visitors or other animals in the home, among other things.
Rule Out Medical IssuesAlways consult your veterinarian for their advice, of course, and to rule out any medical issues with the proper diagnostics. Urinary tract infections, for example, can affect dogs of all ages, and your vet will probably ask for a urine sample to perform a urinalysis.
"As pets age, their ability to move around with ease lessens, and they can also be more prone to infections, less control of their bladder or bowels, as well as diseases—liver, kidney, diabetes, thyroid—that could lead to a change in the urgency and frequency of elimination," says Hockaday. She also advises using a good enzymatic cleaner to get rid of the smell of urine. (I swear by this Rocco & Roxie stain and odor spray, which she also recommends.) As most dog owners are aware, dogs typically pee where they can recognize the smell of their own or another dog's urine, so efficiently eliminating the scent is essential.
Amazon
Rocco & Roxie Stain & Odor Eliminator
In recent years, Hockaday says that vets have noticed "an increase in urinary incontinence with dogs, especially spayed female dogs." To address the issue, she continues, "we want to ensure there aren't any other underlying medical issues…and then we work with supplements and medications that can support overall bladder health and bladder control." While there aren't direct preventative measures for incontinence, Hockaday notes that adequate water intake at all life stages, a good exercise routine, non-hormonal medications and supplements, and overall good health and weight can help. You could also try doggie diapers or wee-wee pads under your pup's sleeping area if they've been urinating in their sleep.
Amazon
Natural Dog Company Urinary & Bladder Supplement Revisit Housebreaking Your Pup
Whether your dog's house-training is perhaps incomplete or a stressor has caused them to regress, you want to bring some normalcy and structure back to their routine (again, as long as a medical issue has been ruled out).
"There's nothing wrong with going back to the basics of the potty-training process by guiding them and rewarding them for doing their business in a dedicated area," Cooper says. Get them on a regular feeding and sleeping schedule, approaching the situation as though you're house-training them from scratch: Take them out on a leash as soon as they wake up, soon after meals and throughout the day.
If you don't have a yard but do have a balcony or patio, these fresh grass patches can be a game-changer. (They're also great for senior dogs who may have trouble going up and down stairs to a grassy area, which is how I use them.) The Pet Genie Pail is also a good option for keeping odors at bay if your pup is using your outdoor space to potty.
If you're struggling to get to the root of your pet's accidents, a behavioral specialist or professional trainer can help. "Even if it takes some time to address these undesired behaviors, I always encourage pet parents to practice the use of positive reinforcement by rewarding what we want pups to do versus punishing your dog," says Cooper. "The use of aversive dog training methods can have behavioral consequences and impact the trust established between pet and pet parent."
Hockaday agrees, advising meeting your dog with praise, reward and play if you arrive home to no accidents. And if your pup does pee in the house, there should be no response. "Simply clean up the mess, not making eye contact or engaging your dog at all until they show a behavior you want to see, such as urinating outside, sitting or staying as asked," she says. Your dog might quickly forget the interaction, so after about 10 or 15 minutes, you can go back to your normal routine.
Consider Separation Anxiety As The CauseIf the problem doesn't resolve with scheduled potty breaks and following the tips above, separation anxiety may be at the root of your dog peeing in the house. Veterinarians can help to diagnose this, and you may need to work with an expert to identify and address your dog's individual needs. (Cooper also notes that some dogs may urinate due to excitement or overwhelm, which can also be helped by working with a force-free trainer.)
"These experts may begin by suggesting you start by leaving your pup alone only a short amount of time, reinforcing calm, relaxed behavior and creating positive associations with your pup being home alone or away from you," Cooper says. You can do this by providing enrichment opportunities for your pup while you're gone, like puzzle toys, long-lasting chews or a Kong stuffed with treats or peanut butter. Pet cameras can also be a valuable tool here, as they allow you to observe exactly what goes on when your dog is alone. The below option from Furbo, which lets you speak to your pet and dispense treats, could be a particularly good option to look into.
Meet The ExpertsDarris Cooper, CPDT-KA, FFCP, is national dog training manager at Petco. He fosters dogs and volunteers with local dog rescues and adoption partners in both Texas and California, and has been a professional dog trainer for over a decade. He holds certifications as a Fear-Free Animal Trainer, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). He's also trained animals at zoological facilities in Southern California.
Jessica Hockaday, DVM, MS, is a telehealth veterinarian with Chewy. She holds degrees from California Polytechnic State University, Western University of Health Sciences and Mississippi State University. Before joining the Chewy team, Hockaday worked with poultry producers on managing health, biosecurity and welfare in the field as a production veterinarian.
Captain Underpants Creator Dav Pilkey's Bestselling Dog Man Graphic Novel Series Gets Its First Video Game Adaptation
Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey's range of Dog Man graphic novels is one of the best selling comics series in the world right now, having shifted more than 60 million copies since it launched in 2016. The young reader series, which is about the adventures of a canine cop, recently published its 12th volume, with a movie adaptation from Dreamworks hitting theaters in January 2025. Now, Dog Man is about to embark on his first video game adventure...
Dog Man: Mission Impawsible is a new 2D side-scrolling platform game for Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X that sees players chase a thief across 50 levels and five different worlds. According to publisher Mindscape, "Players will explore eight iconic locations from the Dog Man universe, including City Hall, the Giant Marshmallow Factory, and various jails. Each location offers unique platforming challenges and puzzle-solving opportunities, ensuring action-packed and entertaining gameplay for fans of all ages."
You can check out a selection of screenshots from Mission Impawsible below.
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Mindscape) (Image credit: Mindscape) (Image credit: Mindscape) (Image credit: Mindscape) (Image credit: Mindscape)"This game is not just a playthrough," said Mindscape CEO Mark Huijmans in a statement. "It's an adventure that expands the Dog Man universe, offering all fans a chance to play with their favorite characters in a dynamic and interactive way."
The most recent Dog Man graphic novel, The Scarlet Shedder, was published in March this year and quickly became the #1 bestselling book in the United States and Canada, as well as the #1 bestselling children's book in the UK. The 13th volume in the series, Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, will be published by Scholastic on December 3, and will offer a look at the origins of some of the series' beloved characters. Dog Man: Mission Impawsible will be released later this year.
Looking for another animal comic? Check out our review of sci-fi adventure Man's Best.
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