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You’ve set up a litter tray and laid down pee pads, and you’ve even trained your dog to go in one spot \u2014 yet they still pee all over the house: on the bedsheets, the pillows, that expensive jacket. It takes so much time and effort to clean up that you can’t help wondering whether your dog is doing it on purpose, or even whether they’re getting back at you for not spending enough time with them. Why would a dog that was already trained suddenly start going everywhere again? Today we’re sharing the reasons why dogs have accidents at home \u2014 and exactly how to retrain them to use one spot, so you can finally get rid of that lingering smell.<\/p>\n
When a previously well-trained dog suddenly starts going in the wrong places, it’s usually down to their natural instincts or an underlying health issue. Here are 3 common reasons why dogs start having accidents everywhere:<\/p>\n
Dogs that have lived indoors for a long time generally don’t mark their territory around the house the way stray dogs on the street might. However, if there’s a second or third dog in the home, they may start urinating in various spots to mark their space. If there are lingering scents or urine smells from unfamiliar dogs in the house, your dog may think another dog is trying to invade their territory, which can trigger random urinating. Even the smell of ammonia from cleaning products can be mistaken for another dog’s scent, causing the same behavior.<\/p>\n
Some dogs adapt quickly to using pee pads or a litter tray, but others prefer going on dirt, asphalt, or other outdoor surfaces. If the current toilet area doesn’t feel right to your dog, they’ll simply find somewhere that suits them better. Similarly, if the toilet area isn’t cleaned regularly and your dog finds it uncomfortable, they’ll look for another spot.<\/p>\n
Dogs may not experience emotions as complex as ours, but they still feel stress and unhappiness. Loud construction noise nearby, an owner who plays music at full volume, arguments at home, or frequent visits from strangers can all put your dog under pressure.<\/p>\n
On top of that, if you’ve been out a lot lately or come home and get straight into your own things without any time to play, pat their head, or even just talk to your dog, they may develop separation anxiety and feel lonely. To get your attention, they may start going to the bathroom in the wrong places. When this happens, it’s probably a sign you need to give your dog more attention.<\/p>\n
Urinary tract disease, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, or age-related decline in the urinary system can all cause a dog to go wherever they are in an urgent attempt to relieve discomfort. Keep an eye on the color of your dog’s urine and their behavior while urinating \u2014 if the urine looks unusual or your dog arches their back when going to the toilet, they may be unwell and it’s best to consult a vet as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Aside from accidents caused by illness or physical discomfort, most other cases of a dog going everywhere at home can be effectively improved with your companionship and some retraining. Before you start retraining your dog to use one spot, take time to observe their bathroom habits and help them build a more consistent routine. Complete these 3 steps of preparation first, and the training will go much more smoothly:<\/p>\n
Keep track of the times and frequency of your dog’s bathroom trips so that when the urge strikes, you can quickly guide them to the right spot.<\/p>\n
Generally speaking, dogs tend to need the toilet at these 4 times:<\/p>\n
By knowing when your dog is likely to need to go and taking them to the toilet at those times, you’ll not only make training more effective but also help build a healthy daily routine.<\/p>\n
If the toilet area isn’t set up in a way that suits your dog, they may refuse to follow the rules and go elsewhere. When setting up your dog’s toilet area, keep these 4 details in mind:<\/p>\n
All of these setup tips are really about helping your dog distinguish between their living space and their toilet area<\/strong>. By making that distinction clear, your dog will understand where they’re supposed to go.<\/p>\n Because dogs usually need to go to the toilet after eating or drinking, setting a consistent mealtime and water schedule helps build a more predictable routine and reduces the chance of accidents. Try to keep portion sizes consistent too, so you can avoid overeating or sudden bursts of digestive activity that make it impossible for your dog to hold on long enough to reach their toilet spot.<\/p>\n With your preparation done, it’s time to start the actual training! Building the habit of using one toilet spot takes a step-by-step approach and plenty of love and patience from you. Follow these 3 steps to get started:<\/p>\n When your dog needs to go, they’ll usually show one of these 5 behaviors:<\/p>\n If your dog shows any of these behaviors \u2014 especially within 15\u201330 minutes of eating, drinking, or playing \u2014 they probably need to go. This is the moment to use a cue word like “toilet time!” to let them know it’s time to head to their spot.<\/p>\n Use your cue word and footsteps to guide your dog to the toilet area. Let them walk there on their own \u2014 don’t carry them. Walking helps your dog learn the difference between the toilet area and the rest of the floor, and also avoids the awkward situation where your dog relieves themselves on you before you get there.<\/p>\n Stay with your dog until they’re done. This gives you the chance to check their waste for anything unusual (like discolored urine or stool) and to note how long they take. Don’t just drop them at the toilet area and wander off!<\/p>\n If your dog successfully uses their designated toilet spot, praise them warmly with a “good dog!” and give them a pat on the head. This positive reinforcement helps your dog build a happy association with using the right place, making them more likely to go there on their own in the future.<\/p>\n Try to avoid using treats as a reward, since eating makes dogs want to go to the toilet. If the habit isn’t firmly established yet, rewarding with food can easily lead to more accidents.<\/p>\n So how long does it take before your dog reliably goes to the right spot on their own? Most dogs develop the habit within two weeks to a month of consistent training, though every dog is different and results will vary. Along with talking about timelines, here are some important things to keep in mind that will help you succeed.<\/p>\n Some stray dogs have spent years going to the toilet in grass, against lamp posts, or on concrete \u2014 training them to use a plastic tray or pee pad takes considerably longer. A dog’s age and digestive health also affect how quickly they learn. Give your dog time and patience, and let the habit grow with love.<\/p>\n If others in your household are also involved in training, make sure you all agree on the same cue word and tone. Dogs can’t process complex information the way humans can \u2014 hearing “go potty!” from one person and “toilet time!” from another will confuse them and make training harder.<\/p>\n Puppies under 3 months old have digestive systems that are still developing and may not be able to hold on long enough to reach the toilet area. For puppies, it’s best to lay out plenty of pee pads around the house and rush them to a pad whenever they show signs of needing to go. For adult dogs, use fencing, different floor colors, or different flooring materials to help them understand the difference between the toilet area and the living space. Make sure the toilet isn’t too far from where they spend most of their time (just keep it away from the feeding area). Once your dog is comfortable, you can gradually expand the area they’re allowed in.<\/p>\n Accidents are inevitable during toilet training \u2014 your dog will still go in the wrong place sometimes. Even when training seems to be going well, your dog may not be able to make it to their spot when you’re out at work or school.<\/p>\n When this happens, respond with patience and kindness. Do not shout at, hit, or punish your dog, and never withhold meals as punishment. This is especially important when the accident happened in the morning but you only discover it when you get home in the evening \u2014 your dog has no way of connecting “I went in the wrong place this morning” with “I’m being punished now.” Punishment just causes stress, which actually increases the likelihood of more accidents in the future. It may also cause your dog to eat their own waste to hide what happened, which creates real health risks.<\/p>\n Continuing from above \u2014 if your dog is still having accidents around the house, here’s what to do:<\/p>\n When cleaning up, use a pet-safe, unscented cleaner that fully neutralizes odors. This keeps your dog safe and reduces the chance they’ll return to the same spot again.<\/p>\n If you’re going away for a long trip or a work assignment and can’t be there for your dog, and you’re asking a friend or housemate to step in, make sure they’re up to speed on your training routine \u2014 otherwise you may come home to a mess. If you’re not confident they can handle it, or you’re worried your dog won’t be properly looked after, a professional pet sitter service<\/a> is the way to go!<\/p>\n Fluv offers professional pet sitter in-home visits<\/a> and overnight stays<\/a>. Every matched sitter has completed professional American-style pet sitter training and passed identity verification (some sitters have also obtained a criminal background check). During each visit, photos are taken so you can check in on your pet in real time \u2014 no matter where you are. If anything seems off with your pet, your sitter will help arrange a vet referral, giving your pet 100% coverage. Find out more about Fluv’s pet sitter service<\/a> today.<\/p>\n Further reading:<\/p>\n What are the symptoms of kidney disease in dogs? Causes, signs, and a dietary guide<\/a><\/p>\n3. Set regular feeding times and portion sizes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3 steps to train your dog to use one toilet spot<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nStep 1: Watch for signs that your dog needs to go<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Step 2: Lead your dog to the toilet area<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Step 3: Reward your dog after they go<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How long does toilet training take? 5 things to keep in mind<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Training times vary for every dog \u2014 be patient<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Keep your commands consistent during training<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Adjust your approach based on your dog’s age<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Don’t scold or punish your dog for accidents<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Clean up accidents promptly<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Worried about leaving your dog alone for a long time? Let Fluv look after them!<\/strong><\/h2>\n