You took the dog out to do his business, but as soon as he gets back into the house, he leaves a nice souvenir on the floor! Clearly, this situation can create confusion and frustration. Dogs urinate indoors after a walk outdoors for a variety of reasons, including health problems (diabetes, kidney disease) and ineffective training. Before you give up, try different strategies to put an end to this inappropriate behavior on the part of your furry friend.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking the Dog for a Walk
Step 1. Respect the schedules
It is vital to have a rigorous schedule for teaching your dog to toilet when he goes out. Educate him to urinate outside at certain times of the day, such as when he wakes up, after he has eaten, and about 20 minutes before bedtime. This is especially important if he is a puppy, because he has weak bladder muscles and has yet to learn to understand where he is allowed to empty it.
Timetables are important even if he is an adult because, despite his age, he may urinate in the house if he was not trained as a puppy
Step 2. Find an outdoor area where he can do the toilet
If he understands that he is allowed to urinate outside, he will learn to urinate outside, not inside the house. If you have a garden, put it on a leash and take it somewhere sheltered from bad weather, such as rain and wind. Let him choose the exact spot in the area you have identified.
- Praise him or just show your appreciation when he's done.
- This step is not needed if he already has a place he uses to do his business or you don't have a garden.
Step 3. Don't play
Otherwise, you risk distracting him. This happens very often with puppies, because they lose concentration easily. When taking your dog for a walk, give him the opportunity to relieve himself by not playing with him.
Try to sit still until he finishes urinating
Step 4. Give him 10-15 minutes to fulfill his needs
Unless he has a full bladder, he will not be able to empty it completely as soon as he comes out. It will likely take some time for the muscles to relax enough to pass urine. Also, if he is a puppy, it will take him a few minutes to concentrate.
Don't be surprised if he urinates more than once. He will surely stop often to completely free himself
Step 5. Give him a reward when he's done
Praise him and offer him some treats when he's done. This way, you will let him know that he has done well. If you want to give him a reward, keep it hidden until he stops urinating. If he sees her, he might get distracted.
Step 6. Don't go home right away
If you're in a hurry, you'll likely rush to take him home as soon as he's done. However, he may tell from your attitude that the outdoor fun is about to end. Therefore, to prolong this moment, he will tend not to completely empty the bladder with the risk of urinating at home once back. Instead of bringing him back in right away, give him more time to play outside or continue the walk even after his needs are finished.
If the weather is bad, don't feel obligated to give it more time. He will probably want to go home too
Part 2 of 3: Reacting when Urinating in the House
Step 1. Don't rub his face on the urine
It will probably take some time for your furry friend to stop leaving you with mementos lying around the house when he returns from his walk. If you keep seeing spots on the floor, don't punish him by bringing his face closer. This form of discipline is not only ineffective, but it risks frightening him as soon as he sees you.
There is a risk that you associate this gesture with your presence, not with the ban on urinating at home. Therefore, he may find secret spots in which to fulfill his needs
Step 2. Discipline it as soon as you see it
Unless you catch him red-handed, don't scold him after he urinates. If you try to discipline him after the accident, he won't understand why you are punishing him. If you're lucky enough to find out, tell him firmly "no!" and take it out immediately. Praise him when he's done peeing outside.
Don't scream or scold him
Step 3. Eliminate the bad smell
If the dog smells urine in the house, he will return to that spot and repeat his behavior. To remove it completely, use an enzymatic cleaner that neutralizes the action of ammonia contained in pet urine. Regular household cleaning detergents are not as effective.
- Keep in mind that it is ammonia that gives urine a very unpleasant and intense smell.
- Move your dog away from the affected area until you have cleaned it and it has dried completely.
Part 3 of 3: Learn About Dog Incontinence Problems
Step 1. Find out about the possible causes of this behavior
The dog does not urinate in the house out of spite. It is more plausible that incontinence is caused by a health problem, such as diabetes, which causes the body to excrete unnecessary glucose through urination. Your furry friend probably knows he needs to go outside, but he can't hold back even after getting them done in the right place.
There are several reasons why puppies urinate indoors even after a walk outdoors: they have weak bladder muscles or are not yet sure where they can or can't pee
Step 2. Consult your veterinarian
If your dog continues to urinate on the floor despite going out regularly, take him to the vet. He will examine him and submit him to some diagnostic tests (blood and urine tests) to determine if there is a health problem at the origin of his behavior. Knowing the reason for your incontinence, you will be able to establish a therapy that suits your needs.
Step 3. Refer your dog to veterinary prescribed care if necessary
If there is a health problem that favors incontinence, you can stop this behavior by following your veterinarian's therapeutic directions. For example, he might prescribe treatment for diabetes or kidney disease. Be aware that there are also medications that can help strengthen weakened bladder muscles.
Advice
- It will likely take some time for your dog to stop urinating in the house after going outside. Be patient.
- If you have a puppy, be aware that he will learn to control his bladder muscles as he grows.
