How Do I Stop My Dog From Peeing In The House?

To stop your dog from peeing in the house, you’ll want to try to determine the cause of the behavior and then work towards a solution. There are also steps you can take in the meantime to stop or minimize the conduct and, if necessary, deal with the situation if the inappropriate urinating can’t be stopped.

Determining The Cause 

Some of the reasons your dog may be peeing in the house include:

He Isn’t Housebroken

Some dogs take longer than others to train, so don’t give up!

What to Do: If you’re having trouble training your dog on your own, consider getting help from a reputable, professional trainer.

He Has a Medical Problem

Many medical conditions including diabetes, kidney disease, and others can cause this behavior.

What to Do: See a vet immediately. Often, once the condition is brought under control, the behavior will improve.

He is Anxious

Dogs with anxiety often urinate in inappropriate places.

What to Do: Talk to your vet or work with an animal behaviorist to reduce his anxiety.

He is Aging

Some older dogs lose control of their bladder—much like some older humans do.

What to Do: There is not much that can be done about this. In some cases, medication may help, but many pet owners just choose to have their pet wear a belly band or diaper. 

Important Steps 

Until you can either stop the behavior or figure out how to deal with it long-term, there are some things you should do:

1. Don’t let your dog in carpeted rooms.

2. Clean up accidents right away. It’s important to get rid of the smell so the dog won’t be attracted to that spot. Use an enzyme cleaner that breaks down the urine and thoroughly removes the odor.

3. Get your dog on a potty schedule. You should start by taking him out as often as possible and slowly increasing the time between breaks. If your schedule doesn’t allow for this, consider having a dog walker come by. If you think the problem is that your dog is being left alone for too long, the solution may be as simple as hiring a dog walker. Installing a doggy door is another option.

4. Offer high value treats for successful potty breaks. Whenever your pup goes potty outside and not in the house, offer him a handful of his favorite treats. As time goes on, slowly start giving treats more sporadically. 

In some cases, the behavior can be stopped. In other cases, you’ll have to find ways to live with your pet’s incontinence. Either way, your vet will have solid advice to help you figure out what’s best for you and your dog.