“Accidents happen.” All pet owners know this phrase by heart and are prepared to deal with unpleasant situations. Yet, at some point, you might wonder why your well-behaved dog is suddenly peeing all over the house.
“Why does my dog pee in the house in front of me and what can I do about it?” is actually a question that we get a lot.
It could be a territorial reaction, anxiety, submission, or there could be an underlying health condition. Let’s find out what’s going on with your dog and how to deal with it.
Why Does My Dog Pee in the House in Front of Me?
For new pet owners, the frequent incidents might be stressful. We even heard people complaining that their dog is doing it out of spite!
We get that it’s a frustrating thing to deal with, but we assure you, your pooch isn’t doing it to spite or disrespect you.
There are many reasons that might cause a dog to pee inside the house. As always, the first step to solving a problem is getting to the root causes.
Here’s a list of the most common situations. Check them out and see which fits your case better:
1 – Not Enough Walks
Often when dogs pee inside, it’s only because they don’t have enough chances at relieving themselves outdoors. How much do you take your pooch out for a walk?
On average, you’ll need to take dogs out no less than three times every day. Puppies and old dogs might need to go four or five times daily.
It seems like a lot of effort, but once you get used to it, it’ll be a fun bonding activity. Soon, you’ll be just as eager for these walks.
2 – Inefficient Training
We always believe that a dog’s behavior is only as good as its owner’s training capabilities and tolerance.
Many novice pet parents fail to properly potty-train their furry friends and you can’t expect the pooch to know better.
Surely, training young puppies is easier. However, it’s never too late to try reinforcing good behavior with your pet.
3 – Territorial Marking
Some breeds are highly territorial and they use urine to “mark” their scent into places and things. This could just be a transient phase that gets resolved on its own.
However, you should talk to your vet about neutering or spaying your dog. In some cases, it might reduce this behavior a little.
If this doesn’t work or if your furry friend is already neutered, you might need the help of a professional canine trainer.
4 – Submissive Behavior
On the other hand, your pooch relieving himself in front of you could be a sign of submission. Sounds weird that peeing on your bed is somehow a show of respect, but it’s true.
Submissive urination is almost like a reaction of fear. Your dog is trying to show you that he’s not dangerous, but you need to instill some confidence into him.
Pet the submissive canine from the side while sitting down. Avoid hovering over him while he’s eating or sleeping.
5 – Fear
If a dog is afraid of going outside, he’ll resort to relieving himself indoors. In this case, punishment is only going to make the problem worse.
Try changing the route and see if something in the street is stressing out your pooch. It might be overly bright lights, loud noises, or a crowded sidewalk.
Peeing inside the house could also be a sign of fear from other pets. If another cat or dog is intimidating the poor pup, he might pee himself on the spot.
6 – Separation Anxiety
Your dog peeing inside the house might not be a revenge scheme, but it can be a cry for attention. Separation anxiety is a serious condition that causes behavioral disturbances.
Maybe your furry friend is too attached to a family member and they’re just acting out whenever this person leaves the house.
Establishing a routine can greatly help de-stress your pet. You should also keep the dog entertained with chew toys and safe spaces.
7 – Over Excitement
Sometimes peeing indoors is a sign of an over-excited canine. This is particularly true for young puppies.
Try to see if your dog pees only when he’s hyped-up about something going on. The amount of urine should be minimal, too.
In these cases, there might not be much you can do but wait till the puppy outgrows this behavior.
8 – Sudden Changes
When dogs are suddenly in an unfamiliar environment, they might not be able to follow their potty training.
New places can overwhelm pets and make them act up. Destructive behavior, shyness, or loss of appetite are common signs to spot.
If your pup has just been relocated, try familiarizing him with the place. It’ll take a day or two, but eventually, he’ll figure it out.
9 – Age
Age is an important factor to consider. When a young puppy pees inside the house, it could just be inexperience.
For senior dogs, old age could be the reason behind this change of behavior. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong with your old friend.
It’s a sad part of owning pets, but eventually, they grow old and tired. To help out, increase the frequency of walks and maintain a calm attitude.
10 – Health Concern
Some urinary tract infections can increase the frequency of peeing, which leads to unwanted accidents at home.
Take your pooch to the vet so you can rule out any diseases in the bladder like stones or tumors. For urinary infections, the vet usually prescribes antibiotic medications.
Dogs are also susceptible to diabetes and other hormonal disturbances. It’s always better to catch these health issues early.
How to Potty Train Puppies
Sometimes, simply resolving the root cause is enough and your pup goes back to peeing during your regular walks together.
In other cases, you might need to train the dog once again for behavioral reinforcement.
Check out these five tips as a quick recap to potty training:
1 – Puppy-Proof the House
First, cut your losses. Do a thorough clean-up and use puppy urine pads in the spots where the dog likes to relieve himself in the house.
These pads shouldn’t be a regular thing, but rather a fail-safe measure. Within a week or so, you should be able to remove these pads altogether.
2 – Take Walks Frequently
Re-evaluate the amount of time your pup goes between walks. Try to take him out once every four to six hours.
Find a schedule that works best for you and make a habit out of it. You might need help from dog walking services if the entire household has full-time jobs.
3 – Choose the Right Spot
When you’re out, take your time picking a nice spot for your furry friend to pee. This is very important if your dog gets scared or overwhelmed easily.
Take calm, serene routes and pause frequently to encourage the pup to go. Don’t forget to pick up any remains before you go!
4 – Use Treats and Rewards Wisely
Every time your pup gets it right, reward him generously. When we say rewards, we’re not only talking about treats but also praise.
Pet that good boy and shower him with praise for every successful walk outside. It’ll remind him that peeing outside the house is good behavior.
5 – Regulate the Water Intake
It might be a good idea to hold back on the water before bedtime. This can help the dog avoid frequent night urination.
However, you must make sure that the pup is hydrated throughout the day. The last thing you want is a dehydrated pooch on your hands.
How to Deal With Potty Accidents in the House
Even if you have the most well-behaved dog, accidents are bound to happen. What matters is knowing how to handle these situations properly.
Loud voices and negative attitudes will only make the situation worse. The poor pup might even grow to fear you, which will increase the frequency of indoor urination.
1 – Don’t Make a Scene
Having to clean after your pet can be frustrating, but no matter what happens, you shouldn’t make a scene out of it.
Remember that dogs won’t understand your logic but they definitely can pick up on your anger and resentment. So, try to be firm and calm when a pet makes a mistake.
2 – Clean the Place Immediately
Dogs tend to relieve themselves in places that smell like excretions. A soiled spot is bound to turn into a dump if you don’t clean it immediately.
If you have a regular problem with your pets, check around the house every day. They might be peeing somewhere you can’t notice.
3 – Learn from the Incident
Use this unwelcomed accident to learn more about your pet. See the pattern in what makes them pee around the house.
Soon, you’ll be able to spot the reason behind this new behavior and the warning signs. You’ll also know the places where the pooch likes to relieve himself and keep them off-limits.
Final Thoughts
Why does my dog pee in the house in front of me? Every dog owner will ask this question at least once.
The answer could be fear, excitement, anxiety, bladder diseases, hormonal disturbances, submissive behavior, age, or just that the pup isn’t getting enough walks.
Keep an eye open for the warning signs and take care of your little friend!
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. I have a wife and two children and love taking them to the zoo to see all the animals. I grew up with dogs and fish and now have two dogs and two cats. I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.