As a new dog owner, you’re probably familiar with the wet surprises and strong odors left behind on your floor or furniture. And for some reason, they seem to be on the same spot every single time. As much as you love your puppy, you might be tired of your dog peeing in the house and having to clean up the urine stains, especially if you thought they were making progress in housetraining.

But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about indoor dog pee, talk about the reasons for this kind of behavior in your furry friend, and provide some tips on how to stop a dog from peeing in the house and in the same spot.

Common Questions about Dogs Peeing in the House

You might be wondering things like, “Why is my dog peeing in the house?” or “Why do dogs pee in the same spot?” As frustrating as it is, there are actually certain reasons behind this behavior in dogs. In addition, there are also tips and tricks on how to stop a dog from urinating indoors and in the same spot. Let’s dive in to learn more!

Why Has My Dog Started Peeing in the House?

Dogs pee in the house for a few reasons. 

1. They do this as a response to a stressor or issue. For example, the introduction of a stranger or new pet can cause your dog to become distressed, anxious, or confused. As a result, they might have an indoor accident.
2. They love marking their territory. If you find your dog marking its territory in the house, it means they want to show their ownership of something. This also ties back into the previous reason and is especially true if they feel threatened or insecure due to a stressor or unfamiliar situation.
3. They’re excited. Dogs (especially puppies) sometimes pee when they’re excited as an instinctual response, which is also called submissive urination. If you’re wondering how to stop excitement urination in dogs, you can take them outside and give them treats after they pee to train them to urinate outdoors. Or, you can give them opportunities to run and play to blow off some steam.

What Can I Use to Stop My Dog from Peeing in the House?

The best way to stop a puppy from peeing in the house is to potty train it. But in order to do that, you need to be well-equipped and prepared for the job. Feel free to check out our Angry Orange Dog Training Set that comes with a dog training clicker, treats pouch, poop bags dispenser, silent ultrasonic training whistle, and housetraining door bells. In addition, you can read our Puppy Training 101 blog post to learn how to potty train your dog and stop it from peeing in the house.

Here are some other tips and methods that you can use if your dog won’t stop peeing in the house:

• Look for peeing signs. If you pay close attention to your dog before they pee, you’ll notice that they give signals before relieving themselves. These signals include sniffing the floor, circling, or lifting their hind legs. When you notice any of these signs, immediately take them outside to pee and praise them with love and treats.

• Interrupt your dog. It may be a bit too late, but making a loud noise to catch your dog’s attention in the middle of their pee is enough to minimize the mess. Once you’ve stopped your dog from urinating indoors, take them outside to finish. Avoid scolding your furry friend and praise them with treats instead as a positive reinforcement. The last thing you want is for them to be fearful of you!

• Eliminate the urine smells. Dogs usually return to the same spot to pee due to the smell; their noses love familiar places! However, simply cleaning the spot won’t do because your dog’s uric acid contains organic enzymes that contribute to the strong odors. Check out our previous blog posts for some kick-ass tricks on removing old urine stains and other ways to remove dog odors from your house!

Three Reasons Your Dog Keeps Peeing in the Same Spot

Things can get pretty frustrating if your dog keeps peeing in the same spot; it’s like a never-ending feeling of deja vu. But before you learn how to stop a dog from peeing in the same spot, you should understand the reasons behind this type of canine behavior. Earlier, we talked about the general reasons for why dogs pee indoors, but what makes them want to go back to the same spot each time? Let’s take a look!

1. Despite how much they love rolling in dirt, dogs prefer to be clean and do their business in places where they don’t spend a lot of time. They can simply relieve themselves and not have to see or smell anything as long as they don’t go in their designated hangout spot.
2. Some dogs prefer specific surfaces. For example, if you find that your dog keeps peeing in the same spot on wood floors, it’s probably because they’ve done it before and have become adapted to the feeling of wooden surfaces. As a result, they feel more comfortable relieving themselves on wood floors.
3. Their favorite spots have enticing smells. Yes, that’s right; dog noses are attracted to old urine odors. As we mentioned before, if you don’t properly remove the enzymes from your dog’s uric acid, they’ll never leave a spot alone. You can easily eliminate the smelly enzymes with AO's enzymatic cleaner. 

How to Stop Your Dog from Peeing in the Same Spot of Your House

We previously talked about how to stop a dog from peeing in the house, but now it’s time to specifically learn how to keep a dog from peeing in the same spot.

1. Neuter or Spay Your Dog

Did you know that dogs use their urine as a form of social networking? It’s basically another way of saying “I’m available.” However, according to the ASPCA, neutering a male dog reduces marking behavior by 50 to 60 percent. 

After your dog has been neutered or spayed, it may take up to a few weeks for the effects to take place. In addition, it’s also recommended that you neuter or spay your pup early on since stopping their marking behavior can be difficult in adulthood.

2. Eliminate Urine Odors

As we mentioned before, removing old urine odors is important for stopping your dog from peeing in the house. Likewise, if your dog keeps peeing in the same spot, you need to do the same thing and clean the stained area thoroughly. For tips and tricks on removing old urine stains, check out our other blog post here.

3. Use Rooms Where Your Dog Pees In

Since dogs don’t like to do their business in their favorite hangout spots, you can simply spend more time in the areas that they use as a bathroom. By doing this, your dog might use that space as another lounging spot and avoid urinating in it. In addition, you can try placing your dog’s toys or bed in these rooms.

4. Feed Your Dog in the Spot They Pee In

Dogs also avoid relieving themselves in areas where they eat. So if your dog keeps peeing in the same spot, you can try placing treats or your dog’s regular food in these locations.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to stop a dog from peeing in the house is important if you want to save yourself the hassle of cleaning up urine stains and odors. As always, make sure you’re well-prepared with the right equipment, like Angry Orange’s Dog Training Set that provides you with everything you need to properly potty train your new pup. Although dog training is no easy task, your cute furry friend is worth all the time and effort!

Contributing Writer: Rebecca Lee