Question:
I have two "fixed" female Lhasa apsos. They are both close to 10 years old and I was wondering if there would be an easy way to paper-train them.They have been really good at not going in the house (I don't kennel them), but lately I have noticed they've been urinating on my dining room floor. I love them, but can't allow this to continue. I hope you can help (they have not been previously paper-trained).
K.M., Fargo, ND Sep 12, 2004
Answer:
Adult dogs can, indeed, be "paper-trained," which can be a convenience if the dogs are small and the owner is incapacitated or otherwise unable to get out with the dogs every few hours.Some pet stores sell urination pads for dogs, but before you consider paper-training your dogs please have their kidney function and blood sugar levels checked out. There are health problems that are associated with dogs urinating more frequently because they are drinking more water. Older dogs with failing kidneys need to be taken out more frequently to urinate, as do dogs receiving corticosteroid medication, again because they are drinking more water. Dogs need to get outdoors to smell the roses, and whatever else that appeals to the canine nose, so indoor paper-training should be no excuse for depriving dogs of frequent outdoor excursions.
Subscribe