Why Dogs Relieve Themselves in the Home

Dogs urinate or defecate inside for many reasons, but almost all of these reasons are manageable. If a dog has been reliably housetrained and then has an accident, it needs veterinary attention.

  1. Illness

    • Any housetrained dog that suddenly begins urinating or defecating in the home is usually ill. There could be an infection or other illness causing the dog to relieve itself.

    Fear

    • Puppies and dogs under 2 years old are prone to submission urination. Dogs signal that a person or another dog is dominant by suddenly urinating as if they are helpless.

    Age

    • Due to arthritis or cognitive dysfunction syndrome ("doggy Alzheimer's"), older dogs may not remember where they must urinate/defecate or cannot physically get outside in time.

    New Dog

    • Dogs or puppies brought into new homes or places to stay will be unsure where to urinate/defecate and often have accidents.

    No Training

    • Dogs that have lived their entire lives outside in kennels, such as racing greyhounds, are not housetrained and do not realize that they must urinate/defecate outside.