When getting a new puppy, potty training is usually on top of the list of things to do right away. This process can take time and be frustrating. But what if your pup pees inside, on the carpet, even after they were just outside? What about older dogs? Stay tuned to find out all about the reasons and possible solutions.
There are multiple reasons why your pooch might be releasing himself inside the house.
Not House Trained
The most obvious reason might be that your dog is not truly and fully potty trained. This is especially something to look at with new puppies. It takes time for your puppy to learn to only go potty outside. Make sure to give praise or treats when he does his business outside.
Peeing specifically on a carpet is also very common for dogs. For one, it nicely absorbs the dog pee and is hard to properly clean. This can mean that your dog will still smell his pee and might pee there again.
Also, if you have been using wee wee pads, your dog might think of a carpet like a wee wee pad as it is also something just laying on the floor. If you keep your dog outside most of the time, carpets can also seem like a good spot in your dog’s eyes because the pee doesn’t spread as much on the carpet and touch his paws.
The only solution in this case is to train you dog properly, which can be nerve wracking. Whether you have to house train a puppy or an adult dog, you can do it with time and patience. You should start from scratch, but it will pay off in the long run.
Never punish your dog when he pees or poops inside as this might make him anxious and might just try to do it when you’re not looking or find somewhere you won’t see. Use positive reinforcement to teach your dog to pee outside.
Take your dog outside for regular potty breaks, preferably on a set schedule. Dogs like having a schedule for their food and walks.
Get rid of any dog urine smell where your pup has peed inside. While you’re training your doggie and if your dog love peeing on the carpet, you might want to use rugs that are machine washable or made of tile that can be washed and replaced.
Medical Issues
Sometimes a dog peeing inside can be a cause of a medical issue. You should definitely take your dog to the vet if it’s not just a potty-training issue, to make sure. Especially in older dogs this can often happen. It might be caused by:
- Kidney Problems
- UTI
- Or other problems
Your vet should be able to help solve the issue by fixing the medical issue. While you’re working on those, you can consider diapers for your doggie to wear, especially during the night
Anxiety & Stress Factors
Peeing in the house is also commonly connected to stress situations caused by changes in their environment.
Separation Anxiety is a big problem for many dogs. They struggle when you’re not at home and relieve themselves at home because of it.
New Pets or being around other pets might also cause your pup stress. They also might try to be territorial and mark their home as theirs if there is new pets in the house.
Moving to a new home or taking them with you on a vacation is a big factor for being stressed not only for you but also your doggie.
Other big changes in your own and with that in your dog’s life can also throw them off and make them anxious.
You need to try to find out what could be the reason for your dog’s anxiety or stress and work on it with them. If the thing that is causing them stress becomes normal for them and not stressful, the peeing inside should also be gone.
Figuring Out Your Dog's Reason To Pee Inside
In any case, you may need to keep a log of the times your dog is peeing inside and write down everything about the situation. This was you can look and see if there is a pattern like a time of day, if you were not home, or where exactly he likes to pee. With that, it is advisable to check in with your vet to be sure it is no medical symptom. If you’re having trouble house training yourself, maybe reach out to a dog trainer to help you with it. They might also be able to help with your dog’s anxiety and stress if that is an issue.
