Why Do Dogs Pee In The House?

A dog diagnosed with urinary tract issues may show irregular patterns of urination. Older dogs have a higher chance of contracting these conditions, which include unitary tract infection, hematuria, and other urine problems.

Dogs suffering from these issues tend to need more bathroom breaks, with a higher possibility of an accident in the home as compared to healthy dogs. If you notice any symptoms, don’t be late to consult a vet.

What most individuals consider to be bad behavior could be an involuntary action by the dog. Canines can’t always control their pee, so getting mad at them might not be helpful. Incontinence is a bladder condition that decrease's dog ability to hold its urine.

Although more frequent in older dogs, it’s not unusual for younger pups to be affected too. Spayed female dogs are the most at-risk demographic due to their decreased estrogen levels.

In normal cases, incontinence alleviates after a few days. However, if the condition is caused by an undiagnosed health issue, you may need to seek professional help.

Accidents can happen, even with trained dogs, if the dog suffers from an undiagnosed disease of health condition. Their sensitive excretory system is vulnerable to medical conditions like diabetes and kidney disease.

If your dog is drinking more water and urinating in short intervals, it could be showing a sign of a severe health crisis. Even the healthiest dog breeds are vulnerable to this problem.

Getting old is tough for dogs as they often suffer a significant decrease in their immunity and cognitive abilities. And, with the cognitive decline, the dog may sometimes lose the control over their bladder or just forget their house training.

With age comes different illnesses and diseases, that may trigger the dog peeing in house behavior. Arthritis is a known aging illness, often responsible for making it difficult for them to get outside in time.

Dogs are not solitary creatures; they crave and need a human company for survival. Canines can develop separation anxiety when left alone for long hours.

Anxiety is particularly common in dogs raised by a single individual. When they are alone, these dogs might pee as a coping mechanism.

Pet owners, who spend a significant amount of time away from home, should consider adopting another pet to provide company to their dog.

Potty training is one of the first lessons to teach your dog. When the training is ineffective, the dog can show temperaments like urinating or defecating in the desired area. Positive reinforcement comes in handy to teach dogs to pee outside.

Without a proper training plan, the dog is unable to determine where it should pee. Newly adopted dogs might also not understand the rules of your home. So, if you are looking to adopt an older dog, make sure that it is properly potty trained.

Territory marking is different than normal urination as dogs urinate a small amount of pee all over the house, in contrast to peeing in one location. This behavior is not limited to intact dogs as even neutered/spayed dogs mark their territories with urine.

On the other hand, recent studies have shown that the territory marker is not always to show their dominance. Dogs also use this to communicate with other dogs and animals.

Some dogs might pee to get the attention of their owners. This phenomenon is mostly applicable to young pups but can also affect adults.

Dogs demand human attention to prevent boredom and meet their physical exercise requirements. However, when they’re unable to get it, canines are known to exhibit bad dog behavior like peeing inside the house.

Dogs peeing in excitement is not unusual. As it’s not a medical issue, controlling this behavior requires proper discipline and training.

Dogs get particularly excited when their owners return home after a long day of work. If they become submissive and pee while greeting, it may be a sign that you’re a poor trainer.

Experienced dog owners provide 3 to 5 bathroom breaks per day. Not maintaining a proper bathroom schedule can lead to urine leakage in your dog.

Proper planning requires observing the dog to identify the rush time and the number of breaks you should provide them.

Once the trigger is identified, you can progress to providing the necessary support and care for dogs to beat this issue. Now that we've covered why dogs might start peeing inside, let's dive into the solutions.

1. Re-train Your Dog

Dogs urinating inside the house is a strong indicator that they are not properly trained. It doesn’t hurt to plan a refresher course on house training. Begin the recourse training by taking your dogs outside more frequently, especially after meals, naps, and play sessions.

Praise and reward them with treats and affection each time they go potty outside. This positive reinforcement helps them associate outdoor urination with good dog behavior.

2. Increase Potty Breaks

Frequent potty breaks are helpful, particularly when you are struggling to determine the actual cause of peeing. Take your dog outside more often and also give it a few minutes extra so that it can become familiar with its surroundings.

Even if it doesn’t solve the problem, increasing bathroom breaks doesn’t hurt the dog. Rather, it allows them to enjoy the outdoors and receive fresh air.

3. Identify the Trigger

Keep a diary of when and where the accidents happen, noting any changes in the household or routine. This helps you identify the trigger for why a dog is urinating indoors.

For example, dogs urinating because of anxiety might feel better with a safe space to pee. Each cause should be isolated and treated carefully to stop peeing indoors.

4. Don’t Hit or Yell

Dogs are not circus animals that can be controlled by hitting or yelling. Punishing your dog will only cause more problems than solving it. It’s crucial to handle the crisis with love and patience.

Negative reinforcements often don’t work. Instead, they can make the dog more stubborn or frustrated. Make them understand that urinating indoors is not okay.

5. Clean Up Immediately

If dogs catch the smell of urine inside, they can perceive it as a good place to urinate. To prevent this, clean the area immediately.

Apply a strong odor-repellent cleaner to rub on the pee-stained area. Make sure to scrub the floor thoroughly to avoid remnants of the pee smell.

Putting down your pet just for peeing inside the house is immoral and can even be perceived as animal abuse. Your dog could be a victim of any one of the conditions that can cause involuntary peeing.

Once the dog gets euthanized, it can't be reversed. So, it should be left as the last choice after all the other options get exhausted.

A vet check-up will help you identify the actual reason for the frequent urination. If the condition is untreatable, opt for options like dog diapers or waterproof bedding.

When in heat, female dogs pass their pheromones and genetic scent to potential mating partners. Twice a year, a female dog usually goes into heat.

Although a normal biological process, this can take about 2 to 4 weeks. Pup parents, be prepared to clean the farthest corners of your home.

During this period, the female dog instinctually looks for a partner to procreate. The problem can be solved by spaying your pet. However, the method is not foolproof as even spayed dogs can sometimes go into heat.