Do your animals compulsively lick or pee when you're out?

If you don't know me, I have 3 puggies, Admiral (dad), Arcona (mom), and Anoo (son), whom I adore more than anything else! And yes, they're named after Star Wars aliens.

Anyhoo, thought I'd take a couple minutes to share with you a couple things I've learned with them... 'Cause if there's something wrong with them, then there's something (emotionally) wrong with me! If you're a pet lover, I assume you feel the same!

Anoo (youngest) was potty trained early on from his mama, Arcona, and daddy, Admiral. Plus, they have a doggie door, to boot. He was born here, so the transition to adulthood seemed pretty easy for him. He never had to break that bond that other siblings do. So why, after being potty trained, would he elect to piss all over my kitchen when I'm away?

If you understand that animals don't do things out of spite (sorry, that's a human quality!) then you understand that the dog isn't peeing because he/she is mad. With that out of the equation, I was hitting my head trying to figure out WHY this could be happening. There's nothing worse or more unsanitary that coming home to a pile of nasty, smelly PEE, and in your kitchen, no less.

After lots of digging I came up with this. If you're having trouble, perhaps it will work for you, too. Grab a shirt or something that SMELLS like you (an article of clothing works best, I think). Make sure it's safe (no buttons or anything they can swallow) and place it near them when you leave. The theory is that (some) animals have anxiety and pee out of nervousness. Thankfully, I was too exhausted for my ego to tell me this was silly, so I tried it, and it WORKED!!! Still does.

Now, if they pee trying to cover up another animal's scent, this is entirely different. They're spraying. It only works if ANXIETY is the issue. But point is, it does work! yippee!!!

Next obstacle I've recently overcome is the mama, Arcona, compulsively licking!! Why? Well, the vet says she could be licking outside stuff off her (allergy-related) which I don't think is the case, since she does it when she's been in most of the day. OR, they say anxiety, because they fear darkness (is it close to bedtime?). That IS when she licks, so I'm thinking this MIGHT be the case. I've discovered if I hug her snug up against me, she slowly STOPS licking. Think about if you're upset or anxious and someone gives you a hug.. how do you feel? Better, right? It's the little discoveries I tell ya, that make a world of difference.

Thanks for reading.

Pugs & kisses.

xo Jentri