How to Train Your Dog to Not Pee Inside Your Home

Even though mistakes happen, an adult dog who is constantly urinating inside isn’t really something you would want to deal with. It is crucial to take immediate action to address the frequent problem of dogs urinating in inappropriate places. But how do you train your dog to not pee indoors?

The first step is to determine why your dog is peeing inside. If your dog is peeing in the house, it could be because he is still learning, aging, or suffering from a more serious urinary tract infection.

How to Control Uncontrolled Urination

Peeing in the house is a fairly common problem in dogs, but it is usually addressed when the puppy is young. If your dog is still a puppy, house training may still need to be completed. House training can take some time, and you may need to go over the steps as you go.

If your dog is house-trained and the inappropriate peeing began after house training was completed, there are other possible causes. Before looking into behavioral causes of inappropriate urination, it’s critical to rule out any health issues. There are several possible causes for your house-trained dog to start peeing in the house again.

Urinary Tract Disorders

A urinary tract infection may be why your dog has suddenly started urinating inside the house or in other unfavorable locations. This is one of the most frequent causes of untimely urination in dogs and one of their most common health issues.

Visit your veterinarian for a checkup and advice before you become angry with your dog. To perform a urinalysis and possibly a urine culture, your veterinarian will most likely need a sample of your dog’s urine. This examination is carried out to check the urine for bacteria and unusual cells. The next step is to start an antibiotic course if your veterinarian diagnoses a urinary tract infection.

Your veterinarian may also discover structural abnormalities, tumors, crystals in the urine, bladder stones, cystitis or bladder inflammation, and crystals in the urine. Medication, dietary changes, and supplements can all be used to treat the majority of urinary problems. Problems like bladder stones may call for surgery in more complicated situations.

The next step is to search for other potential health issues if your veterinarian cannot identify a urinary tract issue.

Urinary Incontinence

Although urinary incontinence is frequently associated with older dogs, a dog can acquire it as a young adult. When your dog naps, incontinence may be to blame if they occasionally leak, dribble, or leave urine puddles on the floor or in the bed. It’s crucial to understand that if your dog is incontinent, they have no control over it and are unaware that it’s happening. Fortunately, there are times when medication can be used to treat incontinence.

In contrast, it’s probably not incontinence if your dog deliberately urinates in large amounts in inappropriate places. For more information, consult your veterinarian.

Chronic Disorders

Health conditions like diabetes, Cushing’s, and kidney disease can all contribute to urinary problems. Your dog may be in pain when getting up to go outside for potty breaks due to arthritis, joint problems, or other conditions. Depending on your dog’s other symptoms, your veterinarian may suggest additional diagnostic tests to rule out one or more diseases. The diagnosis will dictate the course of treatment.

Aging Dogs

While puppies may still have accidents as they learn to use the bathroom, older dogs may develop other urinary accident triggers. Aging dogs may develop dementia or senility, which can result in accidents in the house. These dogs might need to remember how to use the bathroom or even where they are.

As dogs get older, other health problems, like kidney failure, also tend to surface. Another justification for involving your veterinarian early and frequently is this. Dementia may occasionally be somewhat controlled with drugs and nutritional aids. Doggie diapers or lining the dog’s bedding and other often used areas with absorbent pads are two common solutions for people with senior dogs with urinary issues.

Behavioral Issues

You and your dog are likely dealing with a behavioral issue once your veterinarian has ruled out all medical problems.

• Some dogs exhibit marking behaviors, particularly in males. While sex hormones frequently cause marking, the behavior can develop into a habit and persist even after being changed.
• Your dog may be urinating out of submissiveness or excitement. If your dog feels threatened by someone or something, this could happen. Some dogs frequently urinate when someone is looking down at them while standing over them, especially if the dog is young or fearful. Additionally, stressed-out and anxious dogs may urinate.
• Examine the situation in your home to see if anything there might be causing your dog to act out in this way. Has your family recently welcomed a new pet? Has the family held a new human member, such as a baby? Has a member of the family recently moved out or passed away? Dogs are frequently susceptible to these kinds of environmental modifications.
• A situation outside that might cause unintentional urination may also be causing your dog anxiety. Maybe your dog heard a loud construction project nearby, saw another dog, or witnessed something else upsetting.

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Peeing in the House

Whatever you do, don’t give up on or abandon your dog—you can get through this. Of course, you may require additional assistance. Meanwhile, be patient with your canine companion and try one or more simple steps to assist the dog with its issue.

Re-train Your Dog

Your dog was probably once housebroken, revisiting the training and repeating the steps can be beneficial.

Increase Potty Breaks

Increase potty breaks by taking your dog outside to pee immediately after drinking, eating, or waking up from a nap. Reward your dog for peeing in the appropriate places outside.

Determine the Trigger

Determine whether there is a trigger or stimulus in your dog’s environment that causes them to pee inside. If possible, remove the trigger, teach your dog to live with it, or make changes to reduce your dog’s anxiety. Avoid sources of fear when going for walks, such as the barking dog in the neighborhood or the area where jackhammering occurs. If there are loud noises outside, play music or use a white noise machine inside.

Do Not Hit or Yell

Do not punish or yell at your dog for urinating in the house. This is likely to backfire, and instead of learning that urinating in the house is wrong, your dog may learn that its people are unpredictable or unsafe to be around. Punishing your dog may make it afraid to urinate in front of you, even outside, leading to more indoor accidents.

Clean Up the Area Thoroughly

As soon as possible, thoroughly clean up each accident with an enzymatic cleaner that eliminates the odor. You don’t want your dog to recognize the urine smell and conclude that urinating indoors is, after all, acceptable.

Seek Professional Help 

If you’ve tried everything and cannot solve your dog’s problem, consider hiring a dog trainer or behaviorist.