Regardless if your canine newcomer to the family is a young pup or an old dog in need of love and stability, there is always the chance that Fido may not be prepared for house living. A dog that encounters new surroundings is likely to respond by some unfortunate in-house urination. And some older dogs may encounter this problem, too. But peeing in the house is a problem with relatively easy solutions, and soon enough you'll be able to enjoy life with your dog without worrying about the living room rug.
Things You'll Need
- Leash
Instructions
Introduce the dog to his new yard or outdoor play area if you've just bought an older dog that needs to learn its new surroundings. He may be unfamiliar with exercising on a leash. Let him explore and wait until he's gone to the bathroom outside before establishing him inside his new home.
Take your dog for a walk before you go to bed every day. Nighttime canine urination from all dogs regardless of age often stems from a full bladder that could have been released earlier in the evening.
Show your dog the mess she made. This is an effective way to enforce the idea that she cannot "get away" with her accident. Point to the evidence and discuss your displeasure in sad tones.
Give your dog a treat after he urinates outside. This rewards good behavior. Also speak in a supportive but calm voice. Avoid being excited to the point where you're distracting the dog from going.
Take the dog outside on a regular schedule and reward her. This creates a fixed pattern that the dog can recognize. That repetition will let the dog get used to urinating or defecating appropriately, and you will get used to the signs of when the dog is about to go. This schedule should also include feeding the dog at the same times every day.
Crate your dog overnight to ensure the messes on the carpet or hardwood floors cease. Make it comfortable, like a private bedroom, and the dog will avoid peeing in his own bed. Get a crate big enough that the dog can live in it its entire life.