Prevent Accidents before they Happen: Curing Dog Urination Problems

A new puppy can be very harmful to your home. Frequent urination causes odors and damage to flooring and woodwork as well as furniture.  While a few accidents are to be expected, start early to end this bad habit. Remember to be patient as your pup learns. While this unwanted behavior may push your sanity, there could be a number of reasons for it, none of which is malicious.

Excessive dog urination can be the result of a centuries old canine practice. Submissive urination in dogs should never be taken as an intentional behavior. Punishing your pet for doing so could make him or her nervous and create other issues later on in life. In the dog world, a strict social structure is always followed. The “lower” ranking dogs will show their submission to an alpha a number of ways. One such way is through submissive dog urination. This signals to the higher-ranking canine that this dog is not a threat and is willing to fall in line with the social order.

The problem can arise when you take that behavior and put it in a domesticated situation. To humans, this seems like a disgusting and undesirable practice.  Young dogs and puppies may have an even more difficult time because their bladders are still growing and muscles strengthening. It is harder for them to hold back. One way to help work through this problem is to always take your pup outside to greet visitors. This way, the urine does not wind up on your carpet!

This will not fix the problem, but will make for minimal damage in your home. Next, ignore the activity. Do not react to your dog submissively urinating. Do not punish nor praise. Punishment may make a nervous dog even worse, and praise will only encourage the behavior. Instead, work on building up your dog’s confidence so they do not feel the need to show their submission all over your floor.

Another type of unintentional dog urinating problem is due to an abundance of excitement. A dog that is worked up may have an accident. It is not intentional and does not indicate they are not able to understand housebreaking rules. This type of frequent urination in dogs is more prone to occur during puppyhood, when everything is exciting.

One way to limit the number of occurrences is to help your pup adjust to exciting situations. Let him or her experience new sounds and things so they become accustomed to exploring.  This will help your puppy lower excitement levels even in new situations. Always maintain your own composure as well. Your reactions will reflect back in your dog.

Excessive urination in dogs happens, especially during puppyhood. The best way to tackle the problem is to learn what is causing it. In both situations, excitement can play a big role. Eliminate excessive excitement through proper training and sufficient exercise. In time, your pup will develop his or her confidence and overcome the problem, so that you can both enjoy a healthy, stress free life together!

Copyright Danny Taylor