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Ah the age old question - how to stop your dog peeing in unwanted places. This can be a tricky one and particularly frustrating for pet parents. However, there are solutions to help with pee-prone pups.
There can be many factors as to why a dog might be urinating in the home, from potty training to illness, stress or anxiety. Whatever the cause, it is our responsibility as dog owners to ensure our dogs are happy and comfortable, and in-home urination can be a sign that something is up with our pup…
Which is why it’s important to find solutions when these issues arise.
We are going to take you through some of the reasons why your dog might be peeing in the house, what you can do to help stop it and how to implement this change into your dog’s routine.
Our dogs are very good at telling us things through their behavior. Whether they are happy, sad, stressed or anxious, our pups will often display certain ways of being to show their humans that something is up.
So it’s vital we know the warning signs that something’s not right.
Here are just some of the reasons as to why your dog may be peeing in the house:
The most common reason for in-home urination is young dogs who haven’t yet learnt where they should and shouldn’t go to the toilet.
With a consistent potty training routine this should be easily rectified for puppies, however you may want to seek help from a behavioral or qualified veterinarian should the issue persist.
As our pups get older, they can experience a loss of bladder control due to age-related issues which may in turn lead to a dog suddenly peeing indoors indoors. For example, an older dog may struggle with making it outdoors in time to go potty due to their limited mobility.
Especially with older dogs, you may find they pee during their sleep, or "dribble" urine when standing/walking. Likewise, mature female dogs are more likely to experience a lack of bladder control due to a condition called sphincter mechanism incontinence.
A sudden increase in urination frequency or urgency can be a sign of an underlying health condition or illness in your dog.
Especially if they’re a mature canine and are more regularly experiencing incontinence. If you are in any doubt about your dog’s health and wellbeing, always seek medical advice from your vet.
Whether something inside the home has upset them or something has occurred outside, sudden in-home urination can often be a sign that your dog is stressed or anxious. A change in routine, new smells, loud noises or different people coming into the home can all contribute to your dog signaling a stress response.
Trauma can likewise be a cause. Often seen in abused or traumatized dogs, even when adopted and rehomed with loving families in safe environments, dogs can still be triggered by certain things that remind them of their past experiences. Looking out for and identifying your dog's triggers will help you to pre-empt these triggers, stopping them before they occur and ideally keeping in-home peeing at bay.
Our pets are very sensitive to new environments or sudden changes in their surroundings, and so scent marking or stress-peeing can be very common if you have just moved house, introduced a new member to the family or are traveling with your dog.
Other behavior problems that can lead to a dog peeing indoors include: overexcitement, lack of socialization, and even submissive urination. Essentially, if your dog is experiencing instability in their surroundings, or they are overstimulated or simply don't understand what appropriate urination includes; these could all contribute to your dog toileting inside the house.
The most important step is to first identify the reason as to why your dog is peeing in the home. Ruling out any illness or underlying health or medical conditions is a must. Book in a visit to your vet for a doggo health check-up, which can help rule out issues such as urinary tract infections.
There can be a number of triggers that cause your dog to pee indoors. For example, it could be due to fear, anxiety, a lack of house training or a form of territorial marking. Step back and observe if there's any patterns to your dog's urination indoors; are they peeing in a specific area of the home? Or when another animal is nearby? This could offer a clue as to your pup's triggers.
If you haven't house trained your dog, then your best going back to square one and starting from scratch. However old your pup is, treat them like a puppy and use positive reinforcement to teach your dog where you do want them to go. Be consistent with your routine; take them outside immediately in the morning, after mealtimes and just before bed. Use lots of praise, treats and encouragement.
Depending on your dog's age and size, how "long" they can hold their pee can vary drastically. So if your pupper is displaying inappropriate urination indoors, this could be because you're expecting them to hold it for too long. The simplest solution is to increase the frequency of potty breaks they have throughout the day, so they have more chances to go potty outdoors. Once you've got a handle on their required potty break frequency, you can start to gradually increase the time between breaks.
You may not know this, but dogs are likely to return to areas where they've previously peed. This is because they have a keen sense of smell guiding them back to this spot. Our recommendation is to use an enzymatic cleaner to thoroughly clean any dog pee, as this type of cleaner breaks down the chemicals in urine, getting rid of the smell. This will help to break the cycle and prevent repeat accidents.
If your dog continues to pee indoors, despite you following tips 1-5, then you might want to consider seeking professional help from a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. These professionals can offer tailored training and insights, based on your dog's specific behavior. For instance, they can identify the underlying cause, offer specialized training techniques, and create a behavior modification plan to address the issue effectively than you could achieve on your own.
Dogs don’t know how to be naughty, and they will only ever act out for a reason. Never verbally or physically punish your dog for going to the toilet where they shouldn’t; a new toilet training routine will take time for them to learn. You cannot rush this process, as patience is required of any good pet parent when implementing a new routine for their dog. Your animal will only respond to kindness and a gentle manner - raised voices and harshness are a recipe for disaster!
Whatever the reason your dog may be peeing in the house, with care and attention you can support your dog to pee appropriately.
If you have been wondering how to stop a dog from peeing in the house, you’ve really come to the right place. Because through gentle behavior modification and positive reinforcement, your dog can learn to pee outdoors.
In the meantime, you might want to consider alternative potty training aids to keep your home clean and your pup tidy.
Potty Pads have become one of the best ways to reduce mess in the home and work to encourage your dog to start using the bathroom in the desired way.
Potty Buddy™ Reusable Potty Pads have a unique three-layered design which works to trap odors and stop leakage, making for a more mess-free potty training experience. Made of ultra-absorbent, durable materials, they can be used again and again, saving both your floors and the planet!
And they are not only for potty training. These reusable and Sustainably-minded potty pads can also be used as crate or kennel liners, or you can slip them under food and water bowls or litter boxes to avoid excess mess.
And for pups who particularly struggle with incontinence or getting up to use the bathroom, we’ve got the perfect solution.
Our ultra comfy dog diapers are super absorbent, with 3x better liquid absorption than the average diaper, these diapers are both leak resistant and planet-friendly.
All our dog diapers are reusable, so your dog can have potty hygiene protection - for as long and as frequently they need it!
Good luck, pup parents. We know house training isn't always straightforward - but we're here to support you every step of the way.
Learn how Potty Buddy™ products help pet-parents keep their homes clean and their pets comfortable
Leak-Free Potty Pad
A durable and super-absorbent potty pad that can be washed and reused for years. It saves money and the planet.
From $24.99
Waterproof Blanket
Protect your furniture in style and comfort with the all-season waterproof blanket. Great for pets and humans alike.
From $59.99
Reusable Diapers
Washable dog diapers designed for your dog's comfort. Ultra absorbent, leak-proof and available in many styles.
$19.99
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