Why Your Dog Pees in the House and How to Prevent It
Coming home to find your pup has peed all over the carpet is never pleasant. If you've trained your dog correctly, it should know only to release its urine when outside.
If you've had problems with your dog peeing in the house, there can be two reasons. You either need puppy training, or it's an indication that something is wrong. Whether this is a health-related issue or something behavioral, it's worth keeping an eye on the problem.
A crucial thing to remember is that if you notice unusual changes in your dog's urinary habits or general health, take it to the vet immediately. The sooner you catch the problem, the better, and the happier you and your dog will be for it.
The more you understand what's causing the problem, the better equipped you'll be to deal with it. This article explains some possible reasons behind dog peeing problems and the best dog training tips to solve them.
Behavioral Issues
Behavioral issues are a major contributing factor when it comes to a dog peeing in the house. If you haven't given it proper dog training, your pet won't understand the boundary between peeing indoors and peeing outdoors.
Giving your dog clear rules from the moment you get it is crucial. The quicker it learns, the easier your life will be.
Puppy Training
Yes, puppies are adorable, and it's hard to be firm with them. However, if you let them have their way, you'll suffer the consequences of their misbehavior down the road.
Most puppies have yet to learn the rules of where they can and can't urinate. Puppies are playful and excitable, so they don't have the same control over their bladders as older dogs.
However, the sooner you complete your puppy training, the better. Start dishing out commands from the very beginning so that they learn where and when it's appropriate to urinate.
Visitor Excitement
Some dogs may get over-excited when a visitor comes around and lose control of their bladder. It's vital that you teach them how to deal with strangers so that they don't urinate in the house.
Separation Anxiety
Sometimes, separation anxiety can cause similar problems. If you're away at work all day, your dog may experience anxiety, which can lead to incontinence. Make sure your dog isn't lonely too often but also teach it how to accept separation.
Absent Dog Training
If your dog has suffered trauma in the past, it may suffer from a related anxiety disorder. You may have to work to reinforce dog potty training so that it understands that there are rules. At the same time, you want it to know that you love and care for the animal, even if it messes up once in a while.
If your dog is fearful of commands and punishment, you'll have to be gentle with it. Urinating inside the house should never be cause for punishment with any pet. Instead, use positive reinforcement to teach the animal that this type of behavior isn't OK.
Even an adult dog that hasn't suffered trauma may need some training. They may have gone through house training before, but a new environment may make them nervous. If this is the case, you should gently but firmly be reminding it how to behave.
Take your dog, whether a puppy, a rescue, or even an adult, outside often, too. That way, there's never a risk of them peeing inside. If they become familiar with the feeling of peeing outside, they'll start to understand that this is the correct place to do it.
Top Tip: Use positive reinforcement for the most effective dog potty training.
Problems with Infections
If your dog peeing is not typical of its behavior, you'll know there is a problem. This reaction could be due to internal infections, which you'll need a vet to assess.
Urinary Tract Infection
Yes, even dogs can get a UTI. This infection causes problems with bladder control, which may cause your dog some discomfort.
A UTI is one of the most common bladder problems in dogs. If you suspect even the slightest problem with your dog's bladder control, get it checked out as soon as possible.
Cystitis
Another potential problem that may be the underlying cause of a bladder problem is cystitis. This condition is where the bladder suffers from inflammation, which can weaken the ability to control urine passing.
A vet can detect whether the issue at hand is a UTI, cystitis, or even something else such as a tumor or bladder stone. As a responsible pet owner, it's crucial that you take your dog to a vet for a proper diagnosis.
Top Tip: Keep an eye out for any discomfort your dog might be suffering and take it to the vet.
Other Underlying Health Issues
Underlying health issues may be the cause of dog peeing problems. These issues may have built up over a long period but are only now causing symptoms.
If your dog starts peeing unusually, the best solution is to take it to the vet for an assessment.
Incontinence
As in humans, incontinence is a reasonably common problem that affects the bladder. It impacts the ability to control the passing of urine.
Incontinence is usually an issue with older dogs, but it can affect any dog. The dog won't be aware that it needs to pee and may pass urine accidentally. The problem can sometimes require medication, so getting a vet's opinion is wise.
Kidney Problems
Toxic exposure, poisonous plants, and other foreign substances may lead to kidney problems for your dog. Adrenal failure may also result from heatstroke.
If your dog has eaten something toxic or suffered heatstroke, take it to the vet for an immediate check-up. The sooner a problem comes to light, the easier it will be to solve.
Kidney problems, both acute and chronic, can affect the bladder, so this may be the cause of your dog's random soiling.
Other Factors
Dogs can suffer from all kinds of diseases and health issues that may affect the bladder. Diabetes is another illness that may be a possible cause of sudden and increased urination.
Watch out for signs that may indicate your dog is suffering from a health problem. Diet, thirst, energy levels, and physical symptoms in the eyes or fur are areas you should keep an eye on.
Top Tip: Watch out for changes in urinary habits, diet, and energy levels as these may indicate an underlying health problem.
Inevitable Aging
As your dog ages, it's likely to suffer more problems than in its youthful puppy days. Alongside having less energy and appetite, it may suffer from incontinence problems.
Aging is a natural process, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. However, there are some things you can do to help ease any physical symptoms.
Doggy Diapers
Senility, kidney problems, and other issues related to old age can contribute to a weak bladder. If your dog is old, take it to the vet for regular checks up's to spot any potential issues quickly.
Some owners opt for doggy diapers for older canines. These items will help to prevent those accidents that spoil your carpets and make the house smell.
Bed Liners
If your dog is old, they may soil their bed while sleeping at night. To save you a big cleaning job every morning, you could always line the dog's bed with waterproof liners.
While liners don't deal with the core issue, they contain the urine and make cleaning it much more manageable.
Top Tip: If your dog is getting old, take it for regular health checks to catch health problems early.
In Summary
Listed below are the symptoms you should look out for and what you can do to solve them.
Symptoms to look out for:
- Unusual indoor urination
- Peeing without consciousness of doing so
- Increased urine frequency
- Nighttime soiling
- Anxiety or excitement induced urination
- Additional symptoms such as appetite loss and lethargy
What You Can Do:
- Visit a vet
- Stay alert to urinary changes
- Provide any necessary medical care
- Provide proper dog potty training
Dog bladder problems aren't uncommon, and most are easily treatable or fixable. Whether it's a medical solution or behavioral dog potty training, there are always solutions.
Before getting angry with your dog for peeing on your carpet, try to identify the source of the issue. Take it to a vet to check for problems. A vet can spot any underlying causes, recommend treatments, and put your mind at ease.
If you would like to learn more about topics related to canine health and dog training, join our mailing list today! We'll provide you with the support you need to keep your beloved dog happy and healthy.
Also in News
10 Pawsitively Perfect Holiday Gifts for Dog Lovers
