What to Do if My Rescue Dog is Peeing in the House?
If you have adopted a rescue dog who is not housetrained, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. WikiHow explains how you can teach proper manners (even to an adult pooch) with some knowledge, consistency, and patience. Some of the steps that can help you in toilet training a rescue dog are discussed below.
Urinary Tract Issues
If your dog suddenly starts peeing in the house (or other unacceptable places), it could be caused by a urinary tract infection. This is one of the most common reasons for inappropriate urination and one of the most frequently seen health problems in dogs.
Before you get upset with your dog, go see your vet for an exam and consultation. Your vet will most likely want a urine sample from your dog in order to perform a urinalysis and possibly a urine culture. This test is done to look for bacteria and abnormal cells in the urine. If your vet diagnoses a urinary tract infection, the next step is a course of antibiotics.
Other possible urinary issues your vet might find include cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), crystals in the urine, bladder stones, structural abnormalities, and even tumors. Most urinary issues can be treated with medications, supplements, and/or diet changes. In more extreme cases, issues like bladder stones may require surgery.
If your vet doesnt find a urinary tract problem, the next step is to look for other potential health issues.
Urinary incontinence is often associated with senior dogs, but its possible for a dog to develop incontinence as a young adult. If your dog is leaking or dribbling sporadically or leaving urine puddles in the bed or on the floor during naps, incontinence may be the culprit. If your dog is incontinent, its important to know is that your dog doesnt realize its happening and has no control over it. Fortunately, incontinence can sometimes be treated with medication.
On the other hand, if your dog consciously pees large quantities in inappropriate areas, its probably not incontinence. Talk to your vet to learn more.
Certain health problems may lead to urinary issues, such as kidney disease, diabetes, and Cushings disease. Your dog could be experiencing an injury, joint issues, or arthritis, making it painful for them to get up to go outside for potty breaks. Your vet may recommend additional diagnostic testing to rule out one or more diseases depending on your dogs other symptoms (if any). Treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
Puppies may still have accidents when theyre being house trained, but old age can bring on other causes of urinary accidents. Forms of dementia or senility can occur in aging dogs, leading to house soiling. These dogs may forget their house training or simply forget where they are.
Other health issues, such as kidney failure, tend to crop up in old age as well. This is another reason to get your veterinarian involved early and often. In some cases, dementia can be somewhat managed with medications and supplements. Many people living with senior dogs that have urinary issues also choose to use doggie diapers or line the dogs bedding and other frequented areas with absorbent pads.
Once your vet has ruled out all health issues, it is likely that you and your dog are facing a behavioral problem.
Why Do Dogs Suddenly Start Peeing in the House?
Often called “inappropriate urination” by vets, peeing in the house is a relatively common problem in dogs, but its usually addressed during puppyhood. If your dog is a puppy, then house training might not be complete yet. House training can take a while, and you might need to review the steps as you go.
If your dog is definitely house trained and the inappropriate peeing started well after house training was complete, then there are other potential reasons for the behavior. Its essential to first rule out health problems before you investigate behavioral causes for inappropriate urination.
If your house-trained dog starts peeing in the house again, there are several potential causes for it.
How to Stop Your Dog From Peeing Indoors
Is your dog making the inside of your house a maze of wet spots and pungent smells? Sometimes even a seasoned member of the family that’s been house-trained for years can regress, and start relieving themselves on carpeting and floors. Experts have identified several triggers for this behavior, and even have recommendations to correct the issue of dogs peeing in the house. Read on to learn why this might be happening and how to stop it so you don’t have to live with unplanned accidents.
When your dog reverts to peeing in the house, it’s in response to some issue. Often, the introduction of a new child or new pet into the home may upset the dog, who begins to have accidents as a result. Strangers, such as workmen, may cause your dog some confusion or distress as well. Even the smell of a new carpet can inspire your dog to mark it and make it familiar.
Health problems can also explain this behavior. Female dogs can have bladder control issues due to low estrogen levels, especially if they are spayed or older. Some medications can cause this problem along with serious medical issues like tumors and kidney disease. A trip to the vet can determine if a physical issue is causing the problem. If not, you need to focus on the behavioral issues that can cause a dog to urinate indoors.
Training or retraining your dog to relieve themselves outside will require some diligence on your part. Try taking the following steps to alter your pet’s behavior and protect your home and your sanity.
Watch for Peeing Signs. Dogs usually have obvious “tells” before they relieve themselves. Watch your dog closely and intervene if you see them sniffing the floor, cocking their leg, or even circling. Get them outside pronto and keep them there until they do the deed. Then, lay on the love and praise. They need to associate outside urination with your approval.
Interrupt the Act. This one sounds messy, but if you make a loud noise when you catch them, they may stop peeing inside long enough for you to get them outside. Don’t let them continue or punish them afterward. Get them outdoors and then praise them for finishing the job there.
Remove the Smell. As a dog owner, you know that dogs who urinate in the house will return to the same spots over and over again due to the smell. Their urine contains an enzyme that powerfully marks the spot. Simply cleaning the area won’t get rid of this special scent. Fortunately, you can use a number of homemade concoctions or pet stain removal products to eliminate the enzyme.
Sometimes spraying your dog with water when they begin peeing in the house will discourage them from this behavior. The water is unpleasant but doesn’t hurt them or browbeat them. The shock should stop their urination long enough to get them outside to finish. Then, of course, you must praise them for going outdoors.
Dogs who have been house-trained since they were puppies can regress later in life. Sometimes, they have physical issues that need to be addressed by a vet. If they get a clean bill of health, you will need to retrain them to go outside. Punishing your dog does not work. Encouragement and praise are effective. You will have to be vigilant, but you can get your dog properly house-trained again.
Now that you know the most common reasons why dogs start urinating in the house and how to deal with it, try the tips we listed in this article. If your dog does not take to the listed methods and continues the bad behavior, it is in your best interest to consult with a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer.