Is your dog turning your home into a maze of wet spots and pungent smells? This so-called inappropriate urination should be addressed as soon as possible. Foremost, you need to figure out why your dog is peeing inside your home. Luckily, I will give you tips on how to stop a dog from peeing in the house, so you don’t have to live with ruined carpets and smelly floors.
Why Do Dogs Pee in the House?
Peeing in the house is quite a common dog problem. Veterinarians call it inappropriate urination. It is usually addressed when they are still puppies. If your dog is still a puppy, the house training might not be complete yet, and it can take a while.
However, if you have a house trained your dog already, and all of a sudden, the inappropriate peeing started in your house again, there are other potential reasons and causes for that behavior that you should be keen about. Before investigating behavioral causes for the inappropriate urination, it is essential to rule out health problems first.
How to Stop a Dog from Peeing in the House
There are several reasons why a housetrained dog might start urinating in the house. Here are some steps on how to stop a dog from peeing in the house:
Step 1: Observation
Determine if that inappropriate peeing in the house is just an occasional slip-up or something more pressing. Observe to see if it happens repetitively. If it doesn’t happen again, it may have only been a slip-up. If repeated, a medical check-up is necessary to determine if any medical issues are causing the lack of voluntary control over urination.
Step 2: Identifying the Problem
If medical reasons have been ruled out for such peeing, allowing your dog to more frequent trips outdoors can put an end to a dog peeing. However, if the problem is still recurring, consider starting over with the basics of house training. If allowing your dog to go outdoors more still doesn’t help, you may have to ask yourself the following questions:
- Are there any changes in the environment such as a new baby or another pet?
- Are there stress factors that may be affecting your pet, such as constructions that make a lot of noise?
- Is there any change in your usual schedule or your dog’s schedule?
- Are you still providing your dog enough exercise?
- Is there any emotional trouble, like another pet or a member of your household who is no longer at home?
Step 3: Finding a Solution
Work with your dog to find a solution to its inappropriate peeing behavior, depending on the problem. If your veterinary tells you that your older dog does have arthritis, treating arthritis that’s causing the pain could solve your problem. If temporary environmental factors are stressing your dog out, then hopefully, once they’re removed, he will return to being housetrained again.
You also have to make sure there is not another pet urinating on the carpet because it signals to the dog that it’s okay to pee there. It could also be that your dog may only be marking the area that had been soiled before. Be sure to clean any urine-stained areas as thoroughly as possible to avoid a repeat.
As soon as you arrive home from work, remember to take your dog outside, but if it is not possible, consider an alternative such as a dog door, a dog walker, or the use of dog potty pads. You may also opt for dog diapers if your pet needs a little extra assistance.
If you find it necessary, you may also do housetraining basics again. Because your dog was once house trained, it can be helpful to revisit the training and repeat the steps. Be sure you’re also following other important routines such as exercising your dog in the morning or going outside to play or have a brisk walk. These techniques will enable the dog to empty her bladder and bowels before starting the day.
Other Useful Tips
Whatever it takes, don’t easily give up on your dog. Be patient with your pet, and try making simple resolves to help the dog with its problem. Here are a few useful tips on how to stop a dog from peeing in the house:
Increase Potty Breaks
Take your dog outside to pee after drinking, eating, or waking from naps. Consider rewarding your dog for peeing outside in the appropriate places.
Identify the Stimulant
Try to figure out if there is something that provokes your dog to pee in your house inappropriately. If you cannot eliminate that stimulant, teach your dog to live with it, or change any elements to calm your dog’s anxiety. Play music to avoid the noises that your dog might have been reacting to.
Don’t Hit or Yell at Your Dog
Don’t punish right away or scream at your dog for urinating inside your house. Doing these will make your dog learn that its people are unpredictable or unsafe to be around. Your dog may also learn to be afraid to urinate in front of you, not only indoors but also outdoors, which could lead to more peeing indoors.
Clean up Thoroughly
Thoroughly clean up each urine as soon as possible with an enzyme cleaner that eliminates the smell. If dogs don’t recognize the urine smell, they will not think that indoors is acceptable.
Get Professional Help
When you’ve already tried everything, and it is still hard to stop a dog from peeing in the house, it’s time to consider getting a dog trainer or dog behaviorist for a single consultation or other sessions needed.
Conclusion
Figuring out how to stop a dog from peeing in the house can be frustrating, but don’t give up on your dog yet. Follow this guide that can help you toilet-train your dog. Remember, you are not alone. You can reach out for support to other dog lovers. Know more about pet training.