Potty training a dog is a process. If you’ve just gotten a puppy in the house, he will have to get used to his new environment and not yet understand that he is supposed to go outside. It can also happen that adult dogs, who have already been through a period of toilet training, suddenly urinate in the house again. This can have several causes. Why is your dog urinating in the house again? And what can you do to counter this behavior?
Medical Causes for Unclean Behavior
There are several possible causes for your dog to be untrained. Before trying all sorts of things to get your dog potty trained, it is advisable to rule out that there is a medical cause. If your dog has been house trained and suddenly starts to pass urine from one day to the next, see the vet, explain the problem, and have your dog checked for:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cystitis
- Kidney problems
- Pinched nerves
- Uterine inflammation
- Cushing’s disease
If it turns out that your dog is perfectly healthy, the unwanted urine leakage has another cause. Now you can focus on the cause and some exercises to influence your dog’s behavior so that he can unlearn indoor urination.
Attention
If you punish or speak to your dog for urinating in the house, he will see this as a form of attention. And attention, positive or negative, is attention. To regain attention, he can use urination in the house for this.
You are wise not to react at all when your dog has done its business in the house. Don’t waste words on it, don’t punish him, and just clean it up like nothing is going on. Your dog will learn that urinating in the house is not a way to get your attention.
Fear / insecurity
Some dogs are very affectionate and sensitive to change. When something drastic changes in the dog’s life, such as a move or the arrival of a baby, it can revert to being unclean. As his owner you are busy with other things and the dog senses this. He may be afraid that he no longer matters.
What can offer a solution in case of fear and uncertainty urination is, despite everything, to give your dog time. Take the time to play with him or take him for a long walk. Pay attention to him and keep doing things with him.
Define territory
Especially with unneutered males, this problem can sometimes occur, but can also mark bitches. By lifting their paw and urinating against the wall or a piece of furniture, they can mark their territory. Both social and hormonal factors play a role here.
It is natural for dogs to mark a certain area as their territory through their urine. Research shows that in 67% after castration the problem decreases considerably or even disappears completely. Furthermore, this behavior also stems from uncertainty and uncertainty about leadership within the group. To tackle the root cause of the problem, it is up to the owner to provide good leadership so that the dog is not confused about this.
Arousal urination
When a dog has a full bladder and is very enthusiastic, it can be difficult for him to maintain control of the sphincter muscles in the bladder, causing him to pass urine, for example, when greeting his owner or playing .
With the problem of arousal peeing, make sure to walk your dog before playing wildly with him. Also, let him out after the game. You can also play with your dog outside. Then it doesn’t matter if he lets it go. Also, when you come home after being away without your dog, make sure you don’t get into your dog’s overly enthusiastic behavior when he sees you again. Greet him calmly and go outside with him to avoid accidents.
General advice
- Walk your dog at least every few hours
- Reward your dog abundantly when he’s gone outside
- Make walking a fun activity
- Do not return home immediately after your dog has relieved himself. He will associate peeing outside with going home again
- Don’t punish your dog when he has an accident. This can make it anxious and insecure and this makes the problem worse
- Do not push the dog’s nose in the urine if it has urinated in the house. Firstly, this method does not work and secondly it is harmful to the dog’s sense of smell.
