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Having a cuddle with your pup, only to be left with a pee puddle on your clothes or furniture? If you're wondering what does it mean when a dog pees on you, the answer is that it can point to several different things — excitement, submissive urination linked to stress or anxiety, attention-seeking, territory marking, poor toilet training, or even a medical problem such as a urinary issue or incontinence. This is something many dog owners will recognize, especially during the puppy years, but it can also happen with adult dogs.
It’s not a particularly fun or cute experience for any dog owner to deal with, and it can be highly confusing because the cause changes what you should do next. In some cases, you may need better training and management; in others, a vet check matters to rule out health conditions.
Below, we take a look at why your puppy or adult dog may pee on you, the most common behavioral and medical causes behind it, how to help stop it, and what not to do if you want to protect both your house and your relationship with your dog.
So, why did your dog pee on you and ruin your favorite pair of jeans? Here are some of the most common reasons why your pup may do this:
If a dog hasn't been spayed or neutered, it can mean that their natural scent-marking behaviors remain heightened, resulting in more frequent urination in unwanted places.
Submissive urination can also happen when your dog is extremely excited, and is particularly common in puppies and younger dogs. This urination behavior can be an instinctual response to new, heightened or extreme stimuli, and through training this can usually be managed quite well.
Dogs are super smart, and they can quickly figure out which behaviors will get your attention. They may realize that if they pee on you, you take notice of them; even if the attention has negative connotations, it's still attention!
One of the most predominant reasons why a dog may pee in unwanted places - like actually on you - can be due to stress, nerves or anxiety. Submissive urination can occur when your dog experiences sudden fear, unease or general anxiety.
This could be down to contributing factors such as meeting new people, a change in the household, loud noises such a s fireworks - keep an eye on changes in your dog's body language and behaviors as it can be a clear indicator that your dog is in distress.
Even their response to you or people in your household should be noted - such as peeing in response to being touched too much/people standing over them/even as a response to certain genders.
Particularly common in younger dogs and puppies who are still learning the ropes, accidents happen and sometimes little accidents are an inevitable evil of owning a dog. As anyone with a puppy will know, young dogs can turn around and pee at the drop of the hat - sometimes even seeming to surprise themselves, and they do not connect punishment with the act of urination and may instead become fearful of you. Dogs who are fresh out of training may still sometimes have the odd accident, however if this persists, seek professional advice.
Urine marking is a complex form of communication: dogs mark with a small amount of urine, often with a leg-lifting posture, to leave scent and signal ownership. This can occur inside the home due to changes in the household, such as meeting new people, or the arrival of a new dog, baby, or other animals. So if your pup is peeing on you, it may simply be marking territory — not trying to assert dominance over you, but their way of saying that you're theirs!
Incontinence or urinary incontinence can be a symptom of a medical issue in dogs — ranging from a urinary tract infection, which and other conditions can cause loss of bladder control, to diabetes, which can lead to increased urination in dogs, dementia, or other underlying health issues. A female dog can also sometimes be more prone to urinary incontinence due to hormonal factors. Always consult your vet if you are concerned about your dog's physical health and wellbeing, as it's definitely best to be safe than sorry when it comes to your precious pup.
Older or senior dogs will often have less control of their bladder, meaning weaker bladder control, resulting in more accidental urination or soiling. Our Potty Buddy Reusable Diapers are a comfy and secure choice for older pups who struggle with their pee and can't always make it outdoors or to a pee pad in time.
It may be the case that your dog needs a little more potty training, which is especially true for a number of rescue dogs who may have never been shown the love and guidance of proper potty training, and some puppies and rescue dogs may not yet have full bladder control. Giving them a refresh in the do's and don'ts of proper bathroom habits can be very beneficial, especially for younger or more excitable or anxious dogs - or dogs who simply haven't been shown the ropes to begin with.
Another reason why your dog could be peeing on you may be down to diet or water intake. It's simple math, when you come to think of it - because if more water goes in, more will come out! Dietary changes such as higher sodium and less protein can also contribute to frequent urination.
If you are unsure if your dog's diet could be a factor of their little accidents, consult your vet for further nutritional guidance. Make sure to take the label of their food along with you so your vet can see a breakdown of the ingredients and nutritional value.
There are a number of steps you can try taking, to prevent your pup from peeing on you in the future:
As we've mentioned before, older dogs may be more prone to peeing in unexpected places. So if this is occurring for your senior citizen canine but you still want those snuggle sessions - consider investing in a doggy diaper or a leak-proof dog blanket. Likewise, if your dog is just a puppy remember it may just be a case of refreshing their potty training.
After ruling out any underlying medical conditions, your dog may benefit from seeing a dog behavioral specialist. A specialist will be able to quickly recognise the signs and behaviors in your dog and determine why they are acting the way they are. They will then be able to recommend the best training tools and routine to treat or manage the issue.
Getting your dog spayed or neutered when they come of age could help with unwanted urination. This dampens a dog's natural urge to mark their territory and can make them calmer.
Being aware of the signs of when your dog may be about to pee on you and quickly rerouting the behavior can be effective. For example, your dog may start to make certain movements, such as circling or adjusting their stance when they're preparing to pee, or sniffing in a specific area.
Taking them outside or putting them onto a pee pad when they seem like they're about to urinate will teach them what is and isn't acceptable in the home. Using positive reinforcement to encourage your dog to pee here instead, including praise or treats when they go in the right place, will help to cement this desired behavior in their minds, helping them to understand again what you do and don't want them to do.
Keeping both your dog and their environment calm, and staying calm yourself, can help manage unwanted toileting behaviors. Particularly if you have an excited or anxious dog, keeping your energy calm during greetings and throughout their daily routine will help your dog feel safe and secure, therefore less prone to submissive urination. A calm environment can also reduce stress-related peeing, especially when there are loud changes or unfamiliar scents around them. If your dog continues to be excitable, try turning away and pausing any interaction with them until they've calmed down, before returning your attention to them.
Likewise, if your dog begins to show signs of nervousness or fear, try to identify and remove any possible triggers, as stress is a common trigger for this behavior, or pause and give your dog space until they've calmed down. Especially if your pup begins to cower or roll over, try to redirect this behavior. Separation anxiety can also play a role, with some dogs more likely to pee when left alone. If you do engage a trainer or behaviorist they should be able to offer you some tips and advice for how to successfully redirect your pup from this urge.
If your dog is exhibiting excessive or inappropriate urination, especially on or near you, the first port of call should be the vet to rule out more sinister reasons. A full health check will help rule out medical causes and other underlying health issues, and determine whether the issue is medical or behavioral - it is always best to try and catch medical problems early for the most effective treatment. Try to take note of your dog's behaviors and symptoms to help inform your vet.
In any circumstance, you should never use physical punishment towards your dog, such as hitting or spanking. This punishment is more to satisfy the human's own frustration or anger than teaching your dog anything; this will only scare them and can result in further behavioral issues. Dogs do not connect that response to the act of urination, so avoid punishment because they may simply become afraid of you instead. Physical punishment is considered animal abuse and should never be practiced.
A dog's crate should be a safe and calm space for them, where they can go to calm down and generally enjoy spending time in. By locking your dog in their crate when they have exhibited an unwanted behavior, you give the crate negative connotations, confirming it as a place of fear and punishment rather than a safe one. By creating this negative connotation, you will then find it more difficult to crate your dog at night or when you leave the house.
Lots of people online will boast about the magic qualities of certain herbal and natural pills or treatments for dogs. These should never be attempted without consulting your vet first, as they can do more harm than good. Particularly if your dog is already on a certain medication, there are natural supplements that may react badly to this combination, so it's always best to seek professional advice first.
A dog doesn't know how to be naughty and is never going out of their way to simply make your life difficult, and your dog is not trying to assert dominance over you by peeing, as their behavior is only ever trying to tell us something. Some dogs submissively urinate when frightened or pressured, which is different from urine marking. Sticking a dog's nose in their urine or feces is not only cruel and very upsetting for the dog, it can also lead to further health and behavioral issues.
We know it can be frustrating when your dog pees on you or in other unwanted places, but with patience, proper training, and professional guidance, these behaviors can be treated and re-routed so your best friend can get back to better habits and enjoy life with you.
If you need further support with your dog's potty hygiene, then make sure to check out the Potty Buddy range where we have a range of solutions to suit dogs of all ages and sizes.
The important thing to remember is that your friend isn't deliberately peeing on you to annoy you, but this is simply their body's way of telling you something about their health or potty training. Take note of when this is occurring, as this may help you address the cause at the very source. Sometimes changes at home — like visiting dogs, new pets, or even a new family member — can help explain why it happens, and male dogs may be especially prone to marking in response, though it can happen in any dog.
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