Problem solving the behaviour of a dog that urinates inside after going out

Most dogs learn from the time that they are juvenile that going to the toilet is something that is done outside, and aside from the odd slip-up when toilet training your dog, things rarely go wrong when your dog has learnt what is expected of them. However, toileting and toilet training of the dog is something that can be challenging, and many dog owners run into problems along the way or sometimes, find that their dog seems to be intent on getting things wrong!

One of the most annoying problems that can arise regarding canine toileting behaviour is when a dog is given ample opportunity to go outside to do their business, and in some cases, does just that, but then pees shortly after coming back into the house. Knowing how to tackle such a problem can be a challenge, as this behaviour makes no sense from a human perspective!

In this article, we will look at how to tackle the problem of a dog that urinates in the house after being outside, and why this might happen. Read on to learn more.

Why might your dog urinate when they come back inside?

In order to solve the problem, it is important to understand the various reasons why your dog might be doing it. This behaviour is most common in puppies who are still getting to grips with toilet training, toileting when they have the chance, and holding their bladder; but the behaviour can also manifest in toilet trained adult dogs too. The most common reasons for urinating in the house after your dog has just been out are:

• An underlying medical problem, such as a urinary tract infection or other bladder issue. Problems like this are most prone to occurring in the puppy, as their immune systems are not as strong as that of the adult dog, although they can affect dogs of any age.

If your dog or puppy seems to be peeing a lot, trying to pee with little success, or seem to be bothered by their back end, this problem might be the root of the issue. Get your dog checked out by your vet first and foremost, before you consider other issues.

• The bladder might not be emptying completely when your dog goes out to the toilet; this is particularly likely to be the case if your dog is apt to pee inside in the morning when they have first been let out, but not at other points during the day. When your dog first wakes up, gets moving and goes out, they may be so excited by your presence and the start of the new day that they do not empty their bladder fully, so concerned are they to sniff around and explore after being closed in for the night.

When your dog then comes back inside and calms down somewhat, they may then find that their bladder is not empty, and they need to go again; this time in the house.

• Distractions such as expecting your dog to do their business too quickly because you need to go to work or are talking to them and getting them ready for a walk at the same time as they are trying to pee. This can divert your dog’s attention and make them rush, leading to a need to pee again shortly after coming inside.
• Drinking too much water can of course also lead to increased urination, and dogs tend to drink the most in the morning, and also to drink more if they eat dry food. What goes in must come out, and so it is possible that your dog’s water intake and the opportunities that they have to go to the toilet are not in sync.

Resolving the problem

• First of all, get your dog checked out by your vet to make sure that there is not an underlying reason for urinating in the house before you consider problems with their behaviour or your schedule of letting your dog out.
• When you do take your dog out to pee, make sure that they are not rushed, and have plenty of time to do what they need to do before you take them back in. Don’t take your dog back in until they are calm and have had every opportunity to go to the toilet.
• Don’t walk away from your dog when they are peeing or looking for a place to pee, as your dog might read this as a cue that it is time to hurry things along and go.
• Make sure that your dog is given plenty of chances to go out to the toilet, and never ignore them if they are asking to go out.
• Clean up any urine within the home with an enzymatic, unscented cleaner to remove the odour and prevent your dog from establishing a particular spot in the home that they see as their toilet.