As if housebreaking your puppy wasn’t hard enough, Fido has decided your bed is the potty! What do you do when your dog pees on the bed?
This is gross, disgusting, unhygienic and just a bad habit you don’t want your dog to keep doing. In order to stop your dog from doing this, you first have to find out why your dog is doing this.
Reasons Why Your Dog Pees On Your Bed?
There are a number of reasons why your dog might be doing this. With some, it may simply be because they don’t know any better.
If you have already properly house trained your dog then there are some deeper underlying issues that must be seen to right away. With a little trouble shooting, you can handily solve this problem.
Urinary Tract Infection
Could it be UTI? In humans this causes painful urination or a total cease of it. Dogs, on the other hand, can’t seem to stop urinating when they have an infection.
If your normal house-trained dog suddenly can’t stop peeing look for other symptoms. Is there blood in the urine? Is Fido constantly licking his genitals?
In this case, you don’t just have a soaked mattress, you have a dog who is sick and in pain. Take him to the vet.
Hormone Responsive Urinary Incontinence
This is most common in middle-aged females who have been spayed. Fifi just isn’t producing enough estrogen to regulate her urethral sphincter. If this is the case, Fifi has no control over it at all. She may not even realize anything’s going on until she notices that she’s wet.
She’s just as embarrassed and uncomfortable as you are! Your vet may prescribe phenylpropanolamine to fix Fifi’s little problem.
Popular Read: Reasons For Urinary Incontinence & How Waterproof Dog Beds Works
Submissive Behavior
Some people like a submissive dog. They’re obedient and eager to please so this makes them easy to train and not aggressive. However, a dog who is too submissive may be eliminated frequently, especially in your presence.
This is common in puppies but should be discouraged in adult dogs. A vet or behavior specialist may be able to help.
From: Dogtagart.com
Dogs Love How You Smell
Your dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than yours. To them, everyone has a smell as unique as their own fingerprints (This is why Andromeda the German Shepherd in ‘The Parent Trap’ knew right away her mistress had been switched with her identical twin).
Your dog’s favorite smell is you! If your socks go missing, check your dog’s den. he may have taken something that smells like you as a comfort object. Your bed smells very much like you.
Not only is it comforting for Fido, but he may also think urinating to cover your scent is protecting you from dangerous predators. You may need to train this out of your dog.
Stress, Fear, and Anxiety
Some dogs have separation anxiety. Your bed makes them feel safe. As said before, overly submissive dogs may urinate frequently. Anxiety and fear can drive a dog to urinate out of nervousness. Loud noises, loneliness, and unfamiliar surroundings can make a dog urinate out of fear.
Some people think a dog who does this on being scolded is being spiteful. Actually, you’ve scared them so badly they can’t control their bladder. Dial it back.
If there is little you can do about your pet’s anxiety at least keep him out of places you don’t want him fouling.
Learn: 9 Things To Look For In A Anti-Anxiety Dog Bed
Marking Their Territory
Fido might do this more than Fifi. Male dogs are very territorial and will use urine to mark their territory. If the urine is in small amounts, Fido might be marking rather than urinating in earnest. This is particular in alphas. Its purpose is to leave a scent that will drive off attackers.
Let Fido know that you are the alpha. Once he realizes that, he’ll see protection as your job and stop with the scent marking. Of course, the easiest and most recommended solution is getting Fido neutered.
This has plenty of other health benefits plus controlling the pet population.
Arthritis Causes Pain That Makes It Hard To Move Around For A Dog
This is a problem a lot of senior dogs face. Arthritis can make it difficult for a dog to crouch or lift a leg in just the right position to empty the bladder sufficiently and completely.
If arthritis affects the spine, this can lead to incontinence. You will need to take your dog to the vet for advice on how to treat arthritis. The vet will likely recommend anti-inflammatories. You may also want to look into diapers for your dog.
Lack Of Home Training
This was a phrase my teachers in junior high liked to use whenever the class acted up. “Y’all have a lack of home training!” (I, of course, was a perfect angel). The first step in stopping your dog from peeing on the bed is to teach him from the very beginning that this is not acceptable behavior.
This is easiest done with puppies but can be done with adults. Do keep in mind, if a housebroken dog loses control of their bladder due to health problems, they will feel embarrassed. If this is the case, let Fido know he isn’t “bad”, he just needs help.
Learn How To: Train Your Puppy Not To Bark
How Can I Keep My Dog From Peeing On My Bed?
First of all, know that your dog is not doing this out of spite. Your dog has a problem and you have to solve it for both of your best interests. If it is not due to a medical problem you may have to get more practical solutions.
Stop Access to the Bed
This is the easiest thing you can do. Just don’t let your dog near the bed. Close the bedroom door so he can’t get in. Like your friend Roll Safe might say, “You can’t pee on the bed if you’re never on the bed.”
Managing the Situation
Do not lose your temper! Your dog is already feeling fear and anxiety and if you get angry, you will just make things worse. Calm down, put your own frustrations aside, and concentrate on your dog. This is just as much his problem as yours.
Walk your dogs for a Long time or more often
Another way to keep your dog from peeing on your bed is to dry him out. Take Fido on nice, long walks and give him plenty of time to do his business. An intact male is going to want to do a lot of marking behavior. Remember to praise him for eliminating properly. Be a courteous dog owner and pick up after Fido.
Give Your Dog Plenty of Opportunities to Go to the Bathroom
Fido can only hold it in for so long. If you have to be out for a long period of time (work, school, etc.) leave him in a fenced yard with food, water, and shelter or ask someone to come by and let him out for a while. You may want to look into doggie daycare. Fido will not only not foul your property but make some doggie friends.
From: AKC.org
Spend Time on Housebreaking Your Dog
Maybe your dog just doesn’t understand where he’s supposed to go. If you have not successfully house train your dog, you will just have to try, try again. You may have to block off areas for awhile. Potty pads, crate training, and positive reinforcement are all key.
Catch Your Dog in the Act
Fido is more likely to realize he’s doing something wrong if you catch him in the act. Don’t get angry but make a loud noise to get his attention. Clapping your hand’s works. Take Fido outside or to a potty pad to finish doing his business and remember to praise him.
Eventually, he will get the idea that he is only supposed to eliminate in certain places.
Clean Up All Accidents Properly
If your dog smells the urine, that will make him think this is a good place to pee. That means you should not only clean up the space to suit your sense of smell but Fido’s sense of smell. You will need to use an enzyme-based pet odor/stain remover in order to totally eliminate the odor.
It’s best to tackle the stain as quickly as possible. Baking soda will do a good job of neutralizing odors.
Avoid Angry Actions
Negative reinforcement has a way of backfiring. Your dog doesn’t understand that he did something wrong. He just knows that you’re angry at him. Being angry at your dog stressed him out and just makes the problem even worse.
This is a behavioral issue, not an emotional one. Show your dog some love and understanding but make it clear that the behavior is unacceptable. Remember to praise Fido when he’s being a good boy.
Keep Your Dog in a Crate
Crate training may be the best way to teach your dog how to eliminate properly. Most people do this with puppies but it works fine on older dogs who aren’t acting their age. Do keep in mind that this is not punishment for your dog. If anything it gives them a feeling of security.
Start by putting your dog in his crate with the door open. When he gets relaxed enough to lay down, pat him, and tell him what a good boy he is. A small treat would not be remiss. Stand near the crate and close the door for a few minutes at a stretch.
Gradually increase the amount of time your dog stays in the crate. Leave the room and note how Fido reacts. If he gets upset, just wait it out. He will eventually calm down. Gradually increase the amount of time Fido stays in the crate until he realizes it is a place to relax.
Use A Waterproof Dog Bed
This is recommended for seniors or other dogs who have lost bladder control due to illness. Waterproof beds are very easy to clean. It will not absorb moisture. The foam base ensures that it is still comfortable.
If all else fails….
If you are just at the end of your rope you may have to take Fido to a vet. If he is eliminating due to health problems, your vet can make a diagnosis and prescribe a cure, treatment, or surgery.
Actually, you may want the vet to be your first solution if the urination comes with any other odd behavior or symptoms such as frequent licking, lethargy, excessive thirst, or blood in the urine.
Tell your vet about anything that you think is out of the ordinary for your dog.
Which parts of this article have helped you most?
Personally, I’ve never had this exact problem. I did, however, have trouble when my Chihuahua, Blondie, had a litter of puppies on my bed! The bedding was wrecked, of course. The puppies had to go somewhere else. I fixed up a box with towels and pillows and one by one put the puppies inside it. And Blondie one by one put her babies right back where she had them. She agreed to the box when I put a space heater near it.
What about you? Have you ever had problems with a dog who was eliminating improperly? Are you still struggling with it? If you are, remember that patience is the key. Fido doesn’t know any better and needs to be taught better.
It could even be due to a health problem your poor dog has absolutely no control over. In this case, he really does need help! Do you have any questions or comments? Would you like to share your personal experiences? Has anything in this article helped you?
Feel free to respond in the section below. Please share this article if you liked it. Thank you for reading!
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