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.
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Illness
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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
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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
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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
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Dogs or puppies brought into new homes or places to stay will be unsure where to urinate/defecate and often have accidents.
No Training
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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.
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