Eating snow could be causing dog’s accidents

Infections and increased water intake, such as eating snow, can cause dogs to require more trips outside.

Some dogs love eating snow, which increases water intake - and means they'll need to go outside more often.
Some dogs love eating snow, which increases water intake - and means they'll need to go outside more often.  (COLOURBOX)  

Q: My dog started having accidents this past week. He used to hold it all day while we were at work. Now he is going every half-hour. What is going on with him and how can we get him retrained?

A: First, rule out medical problems. Sometimes a simple bladder infection can be the culprit. Dogs with infections often need to go more frequently or more urgently.

Go outside with the dog and revisit house-training. Ensure the dog is actually emptying his bladder, as changes in weather or new sights and smells can be distracting. Offer rewards once your pet finishes, and allow at least five minutes of play before returning inside.

Winter snowfall is another possible culprit. Some dogs love eating snow, which increases water intake — and thus the number of trips outside the dog will need.

Q: Our 6-month-old puppy’s trainer suggested that we give her plenty of physical outlets such as agility type exercises. Based on that trainer’s recommendations, we are getting our puppy to jump over obstacles such as logs and park benches. What else can we do to put her mind and body to good use?

A: Agility is a great sport where canine athletes navigate a series of obstacles such as tunnels, teeters and jumps. However, beginning too early and sacrificing proper form risks injury.

A dog’s long bones are soft at the ends. This is where new growth forms. So long as they are soft or “open,” they are prone to painful injuries. Agility experts often avoid strenuous repetitive training until the dog is approximately 18 months old or when the dog’s joints have finished growing.

Additionally, obstacles such as logs and benches are unforgiving. They are not designed for agility as dogs can slam their legs into them while learning to gauge jumps correctly.

Proper equipment has safety features. For example, the bars on jumps are knocked to the ground if dogs accidentally make contact. Obstacles have non-slip surfaces for safety. Playing at agility in a park without a proper trainer is like teaching a child competitive gymnastics on the monkey bars without a coach. It is an accident waiting to happen.

There are still plenty of activities puppy owners can embrace. Introduce your dog to novel surfaces. For example, walk on floating docks, while feeding treats, to build the dog’s confidence on moving surfaces. Alternatively, buy or build a wobble board, which tilts and moves. It teaches balance and prepares dogs for the dreaded teeter.

Work on teaching your dog to pay attention to you. Being able to focus in chaotic environments helps prepare dogs for competition, but it also makes walks a joy.

Take a trick class that incorporates rear-end awareness. Dogs need to learn to control their back legs independently in order to jump with good form. Try teaching your dog to place its front paws on a box while pivoting around it, using only its back legs.

Small details and strong foundation skills create a canine athlete. Anyone can get a dog to fumble over a log. A proper sports coach will help your dog learn proper form and keep them safe by training at an age appropriate level.

Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant. Write her at