Why Does Your Dog Pee in the House?

Something new in the environment

Why do dogs start peeing in the house? As much as humans engage in marking behavior like hanging pictures in bedroom walls or naming the things we own, your dog's marking helps him mask all unfamiliar odors with his scent, by making a completely new environment smell just like home.

And yes, we would prefer them to hang photos and paint the walls to make your home more "home-y" instead of peeing on your couch or curtains, but unfortunately that's not an option!

Dogs pee in the house to set up territories

A great number of animals use pee - sometimes their poop - to mark the areas they declare ownership at. Dogs that pee in the house are doing the same thing. These areas are then now considered to be their "territories." Moreover, even if dogs have been living the life with humans, like majority of animals, dogs still have their innate territorial behavior, regardless if they are living in the woods or inside your clean, nice home.

Your dog’s territory marking lets other animals, know that a con-specific (in that case, other dogs), is present. This is their need for being superior and showing who is on top of the totem pole when it comes to leaving their scents.

Triggering social situations

Any exciting or stressful social situations for your dog can prompt his urine marking behavior. Some male dogs mark on the presence of female dogs in heat.

Or even on something that causes anxiety for dogs, like new things on the dog’s “marked territories” or a visitor/something new in their home.

Medical causes for dog pee in the house

But aside from the reasons stated above, your dog’s marking can also be possibly caused by some medical conditions. It can be a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or a urinary incontinence which is caused by some serious health issues. It’s best to seek out help from your veterinary when the need arises.  

That is why it is always important to be observant of your fur-baby. That way you know and understand if there may actually be a medical issue instead of his typical male dog spot-marking habits.

So the next time your dog pees on anything, your dog may have the need to express his superiority and release his anxiety through urine marking.

And when he does this, it causes extreme frustration and stress. But luckily, we have the solution! You can prevent it from happening inside your home and avoid messy indoor accidents by using Pet Parents® washable dog diapers and belly bands.

The Pet Parents® diaper pad is sewn into the diaper and has a waterproof outer layer to prevent leaks and damage to rugs, carpet, upholstered chairs and sofas (whew, that's good news). These are specifically manufactured to keep your home clean and your pet family happy.

Pet Parents®is the leading manufacturer of washable dog diapers and washable dog belly bands. We have sizes that will fit the tiniest of tea cup chihuahuas to the largest Great Danes, and any breed in between.