Behavior

Why Do Dogs Pee in the House? Let’s Find Out!

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Author: Jacob Kay

It’s common to see stains on your floor, and carpet, when you are parenting a dog. Also, common to wonder why do dogs pee in the house, especially when they have received a good toiletry routine training. Are you also one of those pet parents who face such a scenario in your house?

If yes, then don’t worry. This blog post is all about helping you to get rid of this peeing habit. Also, give you a clear image of the sudden peeing habit, anywhere in the house. We will explore some of the basic reasons for the inappropriate urination issue in dogs and talk about how to stop a dog peeing in the house.

So, whether your dog is peeing due to medical issues, behavioural problems, anxiety, excitement, or being submissive, we will help you find a solution that works for both of you. Let’s dive in to know in-depth information and tips to overcome the issue quickly.

Why Do Dogs Suddenly Start Peeing in the House?

It is surprising and frustrating at the same point to see behavioural changes in your canine companion, such as peeing anywhere in the house. This can be due to various factors, ranging from medical issues to mental issues. So, to give you a clear view, we have jotted down the possible reasons behind your dog’s sudden peeing habit anywhere in the house.

Let’s explore the reasons, and pro-tips to overcome the issue.

1. Urinary Tract Issues

Yes, urinary tract issues can be the reason why your pup suddenly starts to pee in the house. In fact, their body displays some of the signs such as bloody or cloudy urine, straining during urination, fever, increased thirst, bad odour, etc…

It is recommended to take him to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. As, UTI can be very painful, and dangerous for your canine companion’s life. Plus, if this issue is not treated on time, then it can lead to more serious complications for your dog in the future.

2. Ageing Dogs

It’s true, as dogs grow older, their body gets affected, like hormones imbalance, and mind changes, which also affect the bladder control of the body. Furthermore, it has been observed that there are a few factors, which cause your canine companion to pee anytime anywhere in the house or an outside place.

ageing dog
Credit: invisible invisible

For instance, oldie dogs have less capacity to hold urine as compared to younger ones. So, this is the reason, they need to visit the toilet for double the times as compared to younger pups. Another example is, with time their joints get weak, and the body is not as flexible as it was earlier. So they face issue in using the toilet to do their business, and this lead to peeing anywhere in the house where their body doesn’t need to be flexible.

So, if your dog is growing old, you should consult the vet for a check-up, and get advice on how to manage your pup with an ageing condition. Plus, you need to make some adjustments according to your pup’s convenience, and routine. It will help them to do their business easily without destroying your house floor or carpet.

3. Severe Underlying Health Issues

It is possible that severe underlying health issues can be one of the reasons why dogs suddenly start peeing in the house. It includes severe health issues such as bladder stones, kidney stones, diabetes, incontinence, etc… All this leads to that inappropriate urination issues in dogs.

These severe health issues directly affect the bladder and result in sudden peeing anywhere in the house or outside. If you observe your canine companion is suffering from any such health issues, it is suggested to take him to the vet immediately and start the treatment on time.

Here’s a suggestion, always find out the reasons first, and do not shout or scold them. Try to understand their scene and then handle the situation wisely.

4. Anxiety Factor

Anxiety is one of the possible reasons why dogs suddenly start peeing in the house. It can be caused by various factors, such as place change, loud noise, past trauma, health issues, etc… Sometimes, anxiety factor directly affects the bladder, and we encounter such scenarios where dogs start peeing anywhere in the house. It is nothing but their way of relieving the emotions, and reducing the stress.

anxiety factor
Credit: Leszek Glasner

If you want to prevent this issue, first you need to fix the issue due to which your pup is in stress or anxiety. Here’s a suggestion for you if you find your pup is under stress try to keep him happy and stay calm with him, do not ignore or scold him. Eventually, you will see the result, your pup will not get scared and will not end up peeing in an inappropriate place.

5. Due to Excitement

Well, excitement urination is very common to encounter in puppies or submissive dogs. As they have not fully developed bladder control, and out of excitement such as greeting you after a long day, seeing favourite animals, or people in their surroundings. So, in such cases, they lose control and pee anywhere in the house.

due to excitement dog pee anywhere in the house
Credit: New Africa

To overcome this habit, you need to teach him to greet calmly. For that, first, you need to greet him very casually and not just jump in as soon you meet him. This action will make him realise that every time meeting with such excitement is not good. So, automatically, with time he will remain calm, and this will directly reduce the bladder to pee out of excitement.

6. Marking a Territory

It could be possible your dog is peeing in the house to mark his territory. It has been observed that male dogs, which have not been neutered, adopt this behaviour more as compared to female ones. Furthermore, it is their way of communicating, showing dominance, and leaving their pee smell to claim that area belongs to them or mark their territory. Plus, they also mark areas, by carrying out such behaviour, when they see new animals, and people, in their surroundings.

You can simply overcome this issue by neutering your canine companion, making them socially friendly. So, that they don’t get insecure by seeing new members in their surroundings. Let them know, you love and care for them, and no one can take their place, they are your first priority.

7. Afraid to Step Out Alone

Another possible reason could be your canine companion is afraid to step outside the house alone, he might have a terrifying experience outside the house. For instance, exposure to loud noise, encountering aggressive street dogs, or any other traumatic experience, made him afraid to step out alone. Eventually, this affected his toiletry routine, and so instead of going outside to pee, he prefers to pee anywhere in the house.

afraid to step out alone
Credit: Alexey Androsov

So, to overcome this phobia issue, you first need to calm him down and take him under confidence that he is in a safe place. To avoid stepping outside the house, you can re-designate an area in the house where he can do his toiletry routine.

If you find these reasons helpful, please share them with your friends and family who have dogs. You never know who might benefit from this information.

Tips to Stop a Dog From Peeing in the House

Now, we know, very clearly, what can be the possible reasons behind your canine companion’s peeing habit anywhere in the house. After figuring out the main reasons, it’s time to know the easy tricks or tips to prevent your dog from peeing in the house. For your convenience, we have jotted down the easy tricks, and tips, which will help you to overcome the unusual behaviour of your dog peeing anywhere in the house.

1. Identify the Cause

The first thing you need to do is figure out why your dog is adopting such unusual behaviour and try to know the reasons. It’s possible that could be due to medical conditions, such as diabetes, urinary tract infections, incontinence, etc… If you notice any severe health issues, then it’s better to take him to the vet for better treatment on time.

Furthermore, sometimes due to anxiety factors, fear of missing out, and lack of training they carry out such unusual habits. So, it is advisable to know the root cause, and then try to overcome the habit.

2. Monitor Your Dog

It’s true you need to keep an eye on your canine companion and observe the signs he indicated when he wants to pee such as circling, squatting, or sniffing. So, as soon as you see these signs, without wasting any time take him to the designated place, where he pees. Then appraise him for carrying out the toiletry habits correctly.

monitor your dog
Credit: Mladen_Kostic

In addition, please keep track of his toiletry routine, to find out where he can mostly pee, and try to skip that time for his toiletry schedule. In this way, he will not pee anywhere in the house, and then he will join you for the playing or activity sessions after his toiletry routine.

3. Use Smells to Deter Your Dog

One of the easy tricks to stop your canine companion from peeing on the floor is by using the smell/ spray, which he hates. For instance, you can use a citrus smell, vinegar, ammonia, spicy spray, essential oils etc… All you need to do is spray these dilute solutions on the floor, or area where your pup likes to pee in the house.

use smell to deter your dog
Credit: sefa ozel

Here’s a suggestion for you, always test a small area first just to see if the solution is working and not damaging your floor or carpet. In this way, you will be able to stop your dog from peeing anywhere in the house, and won’t damage your things.

4. Reward Your Dog

When your canine companion follows your command and toiletry rules, that moment rewards him with his favourite treats. Just like happy praises moment, these moments encourage them to keep on the good habits and carry the toiletry routine in a respected manner. In this way, he will, eventually, stop peeing on the floor, and carpet area in the house.

In addition, when he does not follow the rules, make sure you stop playing with him, and no snacks or treats. This gesture will also make him realise he is doing something wrong, that’s why you are not entertaining him and giving him his treats. You can also separate his play time and toiletry time, for instance, if he wants to go pee, then let him do that, and after that continue the playing sessions.

FAQs

What smell do dogs hate to pee on?

Well, there are some smells that dogs hate to pee on such as vinegar, citrus fruits, ammonia, essential oils, or spicy and strong scents. So, if you want to stop your dog from peeing on the floor, you can try these tricks.

How do dogs mark their owners?

Generally, it has been observed that dogs mark their owners by peeing on them or near them. It is their way of indicating to other animals to stay away from their pet parents. Dogs do this to show dominance, territoriality, or ownership on their pet parents.

Why do male dogs start peeing inside?

Could be many possibilities behind your male dog peeing outside the house. One of the reasons could be his growing age, and hormonal imbalance, which makes them pee outside the house. Or there is also the possibility he is claiming his territory by marking with his pee so that other pets stay away from his space.

What can I put on the floor to stop my dog from peeing?

There could be many reasons behind your pup peeing on the floor. To stop him from doing that, you can try one of the easy tricks, i.e. spray a mixture of vinegar, and water on the floor where your dog likes to pee. This mixture has a strong smell, preventing them from peeing again on the floor or that spot.

Well, It’s a Wrap!

Summing up, our article on “Why Do Dogs Pee in the House?” Confidentially, we were able to serve you the appropriate content and were able to solve your doubts related to why has my dog started peeing in the house UK/how to stop a dog peeing in the house.

As you already know, we have explored some common reasons why do dogs pee in the house, and simple tips to overcome this habit. In our blog, we have learned dog pee in the house because he might be under health issues, out of fear/anxiety factors, due to age, hormone imbalance, and many other related issues.

On the other hand, along with the reasons, we have also highlighted tips to overcome this issue. Plus, jotted down some extra easy tips to prevent your dog from peeing anywhere in the house.

So, by understanding why your pup pees in the house, and how you can help them. You can improve your relationship with your canine companion, and keep your home clean and odour-free.

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About
Jacob Kay
Jacob Kay is a Veterinary Advisor and Editor at WWD. He’s also a dog lover and has two pet dogs of his own. He has extensive knowledge in the field of veterinary medicine and is always happy to share his insights with others.

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