How can I stop my dog from peeing in the house?
As much as we love them, our dogs can come with some bad habits that can occasionally make them less-than-desirable housemates. We can forgive the slobbering, forgive the hair all over the place, and we can even forgive the odd aroma coming from their butts, but there’s one thing that’s more difficult to turn a blind eye to — peeing in the house.
Why do they do it!?
Annoying as it is, before we even begin to tackle preventative measures and talk about what to use to stop dogs from peeing in the house, it’s important to rule out any underlying causes of this annoying habit. From there, you can make an informed decision on how to stop your dog from peeing in the house.
First, is your dog still quite young? Puppies may have trouble with bladder control, but particularly with larger breeds, we often assume they’ve “grown up” before they actually have. While you can blink and your tiny puppy has transformed into a giant, strong dog, their bladders can take a little while to follow. On average, it takes between 4-6 months to potty train your puppy.
On the other end of the spectrum are senior dogs. Just like humans, they, unfortunately, can suffer from weaker bladder control as they age. That’s why it’s so important to consider the age of your furry friend as you look into how to stop your dog from peeing in the house. You could be forgiven for assuming that your previously well-trained dog has just become lazy if they start peeing indoors, but it may sadly just be a sign of their age.
Determine if a Health Condition Is the Cause
The most important factor in determining why your dog is peeing in the house is to rule out any underlying illness. Peeing in the house can be a symptom rather than a habit. In particular, if it’s a sudden change, peeing in the house should always be investigated by your veterinarian. A simple bladder infection could be to blame, but as you research how to stop your dog from peeing in the house, it’s important to recognize that serious infections, diseases, and even tumors can be the cause. It’s always best to get your dog checked out than to live with regrets.
Hopefully, your dog is perfectly healthy, and their annoying habit is exactly that. If that's the case, then it’s time to determine what to do and what to use to stop your dog from peeing in the house.
Get Your Dog Spayed or Neutered
Dogs can be territorial, and peeing in the house can be a sign of territory-marking. Male dogs, in particular, can develop this behavior, but they don’t have exclusivity, and the ladies can be just as bad! When considering how to stop your dog from peeing in the house, you should know that spaying and neutering lower the level of hormones associated with dominance and can reduce and sometimes stop territory-marking altogether.
Don’t Use Ammonia-Based Cleaning Products
To you, ammonia-based cleaning products may smell clean (albeit overpowering), and they’ll certainly kill germs, but your dog doesn’t know what’s written on the bottle, and to them, these products smell similar to urine. Many non-ammonia-based products are also ineffective — for humans, they kill off the smell of dog urine, but our dogs’ noses are far more sensitive, and they will often still pick up the underlying scent and return to the scene of the crime to repeat the offense.
Here’s how to stop your dog from peeing in the house. Soak the wet area thoroughly with our enzyme-based pet odor and stain eraser! It’ll eat away at the odor-causing bacteria and leave the area free from the scent of urine for both your nose and your dog’s nose. That’s what to use to stop your dog from peeing in the house — it works!
Don’t Punish Your Dog for Peeing Indoors
It may seem counterintuitive, but reprimanding your dog for peeing in the house can actually make the problem worse. If you catch your dog in the act, then, by all means, say no, try to get them outdoors, and praise them when they continue. Always use positive reinforcement when working on how to stop your dog from peeing in the house.
If you’re too late and you reprimand your dog, they may associate the act of peeing as the bad thing and not the fact that they did it indoors. This can lead to a neurotic dog that doesn’t want to go at all, who then ends up holding its bladder too long and having even more accidents as a result.
Reward Good Behavior Instead
When your dog pees outdoors, remember to reward them! Dogs love being told they’re a “good boy” or “good girl” and will happily repeat a behavior to be told this again. As you learn how to stop your dog from peeing in the house, you may find that showing your approval can be one of the greatest ways to stop bad habits and encourage your dog to pee outside rather than in the house. In many cases, some tasty treats are what to use to stop your dog from peeing in the house!
Be Proactive
We mean this in the nicest possible way, but the human factor can have more to do with your dog peeing in the house than you think. Young dogs won’t know they’re meant to be telling you when they need to go out, so you really need to take them outside at regular intervals. Regular potty breaks play an important role as you learn how to stop your dog from peeing in the house.
When dogs get older, they naturally have a greater association with the yard being a place to go potty, but simply leaving a door open all the time in the early days won’t necessarily work, as your dog may see the yard as a playground, rather than a potty area.
While prevention is better than the cure, sometimes it’s too late. Our premium pet odor and stain remover is safe for use on almost any surface and will eradicate the offending odors quickly, leaving you to enjoy your time with your dog, which is really what it’s all about.
Browse Top-Quality Pet Supplies
Now that you know how to stop your dog from peeing in the house, what are you waiting for? After adding our Pet Odor & Stain Eraser to your cart, shop for other high-quality pet supplies from Emmy’s Best Pet Products! We carry other helpful dog products, as well as cat products. Check our pet blog for more helpful tips on all things pets!