If your dog urinates on your bed, you're not alone. This behavior, while rather alarming, is not all that uncommon. Many dog owners have successfully dealt with the problem at hand, so there's still hope!
The key to tackling this behavior head-on is to understand what's causing it. Unfortunately dogs aren't able to communicate the same way we humans do.
Sometimes, peeing on your bed is a sign of some other underlying issue.
It could be something medical that's causing your dog to have these little accidents. Or, it could be an emotional or behavioral problem you're dealing with.
Whatever the case may be, understanding the root cause of the problem can help you choose the appropriate solution.
My Dog Peed on My Bed, What Does That Mean?
The first thing that you should do when you notice urine on your cozy bed is to examine the situation. Did this happen moments ago or did it occur while you were away at work?
The answer to this question is the first step of the puzzle.
Potential Medical Conditions
If it happened while you were away from home, there very well could be a medical issue causing the problem.
Take a quick look around your home. There's a good chance that you'll find a couple of different piddle spots.
In this case, your bed was just an unfortunate piece of furniture that got in the crossfire of your dog's discomfort.
Several medical conditions could be affecting your dog's ability to hold things in.
The first is a urinary tract infection. Common in female dogs, urinary tract infections can be incredibly painful.
Potentially dangerous microbes somehow got in your dog's system, which resulted in inflammation.
Typically, these infections result in symptoms like lethargy, excessive licking, and a fever. In some cases, you might even notice that the urine takes on a pinkish hue. This is a result of bleeding.
Another condition that your dog could be experiencing is diabetes. Diabetic dogs are known to urinate quite frequently. Yet, they show signs of increased thirst and will often drink their water in a flurry.
Like urinary tract infections, you'll notice other symptoms with diabetes as well. These include weight loss, vomiting, and extreme tiredness.
What Can You Do?
If you suspect that a medical issue is to blame for your dog's urination habits, go to your vet as soon as possible. Urinary tract infections can be quite painful for your dog, so you'll need to seek treatment to provide relief.
As for diabetes, the condition can be fatal if you don't start treatment straight away. Diabetes is a life-long disease. But, it's manageable with the right health plan.
Once you have treated the medical problem at hand, your dog should stop having accidents.
For peace of mind, keep an eye on your dog's health and provide them with plenty of opportunities to get relief.
If you have to leave for the day, have someone let them out every few hours to avoid any accidents.
My Dog Keeps Peeing on My Bed
If you have a young dog, frequent urination on your bed could be a sign of confusion. While canines are intelligent creatures, it's not always easy for them to pick up training right away.
Even after several months of housebreaking, mixed messages could be the culprit for these accidents.
Housebreaking Confusion
It's not uncommon for dogs to get confused about where they can urinate and where they can't. This is especially true if they have free reign of the home. They may see your bed and compare it to their own.
Their bed is a place to feel comfortable and do what they want, so why not use your bed for the same reason?
Solving the Problem
The first thing you should do is start limited access to your bedroom.
When you can't keep a watchful eye on them at all times, close your door. If you're leaving for the day, place them in a crate or confined room. Then, reintroduce house training.
You can try various techniques. Many owners see success with crate training. If you're having trouble getting your dog to learn the ropes, consider getting help from a professional trainer.
Housebreaking can be tough, especially after your dog has gotten used to going wherever they want. A trainer can help stave the behavior once and for all.
Whatever you do, don't yell at your dog or rub their face in the accident. This will only create fear and resentment in your dog.
Furthermore, the process may only confuse them more. Always stick with positive reinforcement.
If you catch your dog in the act, stop them immediately with a stern voice. That will send the message better than any kind of physical punishment.
My Dog Pees on My Bed in Front of Me
Has your dog ever stared you right in the face and urinated on your bed? It can be incredibly frustrating and borderline insulting!
Before you get angry at your pup and resort to negative punishment,
consider what your dog was doing before it happened? Were they exhibiting strong emotional cues? If so, your dog may just be having trouble controlling his or her emotions.
Strong Emotional Reactions
Strong emotions of anxiety and excitement are notorious for leading to examples. When it comes to excitement, peeing on your bed is a happy accident.
Well, at least for your dog. This often occurs when owners let their dogs onto the bed for the first time after months of deeming it a "no-go" zone.
Your pup is finally able to jump on those soft luxurious sheets. They may run around in circles a bit before stopping and letting the urine flow.
In the case of anxiety, you may have a slightly bigger problem on your hands.
Anxious dogs have a very hard time controlling their bodies in moments of fear. It's common to see accidents happen in unfamiliar places.
If your dog is newly adopted, it may be a case of getting used to a new environment.
How to Handle the Problem
Dealing with strong emotions is not always easy.
Dogs are simple creatures. They don't understand you when you're telling them to calm down. So, you'll need to provide them with the tools to bring things down a notch on their own.
If your pup is just excited about getting on your bed, you might want to keep them away from your room for a while. Introduce the space slowly and in a controlled manner.
As always, stop your pet in the act if you see them having an accident.
For anxious dogs, it's just a matter of waiting until they're comfortable. Try not to over-excite them too much.
Give them plenty of time to explore on their own. Over time, you'll notice them getting more comfortable with space.
Alternatively, you can try to give your pup some ways to stay occupied. This is particularly useful for dogs who get anxious when their owners leave for the day.
Mental stimulation toys can keep your dog entertained for hours on end, keeping those fears of you never returning at bay.
Why Would My Dog Pee on My Bed?
Sometimes, dogs will continue to pee on the bed no matter what changes you make to their routine. If you have ruled out medical issues, strong emotions, and training issues, your dog may be acting on pure instincts.
Marking Their Territory
Dogs use urination to mark their territory. It's a way for them to tell you and any other animal in the home that something is theirs. Territorial dogs will often urinate a bit to leave their scent behind.
If this is the case, look around your home for other small pee stains. Check out places that your dog frequents, as there's a good chance they have marked other areas as well.
Territorial marking is a serious issue that you need to take care of swiftly.
While it's not always the case, marking with urination often shows that the dog thinks that they are the alpha in the home.
Your pup may think that they are calling the shots.
While the issue may not seem like a huge deal now, it can lead to a host of behavioral problems later on. You should be the alpha in the home, not your dog.
What Can You Do?
As always, we don't recommend physical punishment of any kind. With dominance issues, negative punishment can prove to be very problematic. It can lead to more negative feelings about you.
Depending on how far-gone your dog is in thinking that they are the alpha, they may even start to lash out.
It's a good idea to consult a behavioral trainer.
They can come up with a solution to reclaim your dominance in a positive way. They'll work closely with you and your dog to ensure that you can change the power balance efficiently.
Typically, exerting your dominance involves stopping bad behavior in its tracks and showing that you have full control over your home and your dog's food.
It may take some time, but behavioral modification can do wonder to stop marking.
Important: Clean Up Messes Immediately
No matter what's causing your dog to pee on your bed, you must clean up messes as soon as possible.
Not only will the smell of pet urine affect your beauty rest, but the chemical composition of the urine can ruin the quality of your mattress and sheets.
Furthermore, that lingering scent can send your dog straight back the next time they need to go.
Remember, urination of any kind is like marking their territory. That scent signal allows them to find the spot immediately, even after you think you've cleaned it all up.
After blotting up the urine with some paper towels, use an enzymatic cleaner.
These cleaning solutions contain living enzymes that can break down organic matter and get rid of the scent once and for all.
Conclusion
It's never fun to deal with pet urine in the home. While it can be frustrating, take a deep breath and look for the cause of the issue. As a pet owner, it's your responsibility to provide the best care possible.
Whether your dog has a serious health condition or they're simply experiencing an influx of emotions every time they get on your bed, you need to do your part to address the root cause.
With some behavioral training and a watchful eye, you can stop this unwanted urination and teach your dog where they should be doing their business.
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